Director of Human Resources

Join the Leadership Team at Linwood Center

Human Resources Director | Ellicott City, Maryland

Some HR roles are about keeping things moving.
This role is about helping move an organization forward.

Linwood Center is seeking a strategic, experienced, and people-centered Human Resources Director to lead the organization’s HR function. This role is ideal for an HR leader who enjoys partnering with executives, coaching leaders through complex employee matters, improving organizational effectiveness, and building strong people practices that support both employees and operations.

This is a leadership role with real influence and visibility across the organization. While there will be some transactional oversight and involvement, the primary focus of this position is strategic leadership, employee relations, HR operational excellence, and driving organizational effectiveness.

The HR Director will lead and support an HR team that includes an HR Specialist and an HR Administrator/Recruiter, allowing this role to remain focused on higher-level leadership, strategy, and guidance.

Why This Role Stands Out

A True Leadership Opportunity

This is not an administrative HR role. The Human Resources Director serves as a strategic advisor and key member of the leadership team, helping shape organizational decisions, workforce strategies, and culture initiatives.

The Opportunity to Strengthen and Elevate HR

Linwood Center is committed to building a stronger, more strategic HR function. This role offers the opportunity to improve processes, strengthen accountability, support leaders, and create scalable HR practices that better support the organization.

Mission-Driven Work That Matters

At Linwood Center, the work is meaningful, and the impact is real. We are looking for someone who believes strong organizations are built through strong leadership, clear expectations, and supportive workplace practices.

Strategic Work with Operational Influence

This role balances strategic leadership with operational oversight. You will guide the overall HR function while ensuring day-to-day HR operations are effective, compliant, and employee-focused.

Leadership Support and Team Structure

You will not be expected to do everything alone. This role oversees an HR Specialist and HR Administrator/Recruiter, allowing for delegation of transactional and administrative responsibilities while maintaining leadership of the overall HR strategy and function.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serving as a strategic advisor to organizational leadership
• Leading the overall HR function and HR team
• Driving HR operational effectiveness and process improvement
• Managing and resolving complex employee relations matters
• Coaching leaders on performance management, accountability, and workplace issues
• Partnering with leadership on workforce planning and organizational structure
• Developing and enhancing HR policies, practices, and systems
• Strengthening employee engagement, culture, and retention initiatives
• Ensuring compliance with employment laws and organizational policies
• Creating scalable HR processes that support organizational growth and operational excellence

The Ideal Candidate

You are:

• A strong HR leader who understands both strategy and operations
• Comfortable navigating difficult conversations and complex employee situations
• Able to influence leaders and build credibility across the organization
• Solutions-oriented, calm under pressure, and highly professional
• Someone who can balance empathy with accountability
• Passionate about building effective teams and healthy workplace cultures
• Experienced in leading HR functions beyond just administration and compliance

What We Offer

• A meaningful leadership role with organizational impact
• A collaborative and mission-focused environment
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Leadership visibility and partnership opportunities
• The ability to shape and strengthen the HR function
• A workplace where your expertise and voice will matter

Ready to Lead the Function, Not Just Manage Tasks?

If you are an experienced HR leader looking for an opportunity to drive strategy, strengthen operations, support leaders, and make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills)

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field required; or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably within a nonprofit, education, healthcare, or mission-driven environment.
• Minimum of 5 years of HR leadership experience with demonstrated success advising senior leadership and managing HR functions.
• Strong background in employee relations, organizational development, and HR strategy.
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor to leadership.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR best practices.
• Experience leading organizational change, process improvement, and operational effectiveness initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal, coaching, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Experience leading and developing HR staff.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or comparable HR certification preferred.

Salary range: $115,000-$135,000

The current comprehensive company benefits:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental coverage
• Voluntary Life and AD&D
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Company-paid life insurance & AD&D
• Company-paid Long-Term Disability
• 401K Retirement plan with company contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Annual Leave
• Paid Sick and Safe Leave
• Three Personal Days
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Credit Union Membership, if desired

Eligibility to participate in Linwood’s Health, Vision, and Dental benefits program begins on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Per company policy, some other company-sponsored benefits may have various eligibility dates.

The company benefits offering and employee contributions are determined annually and are subject to change.

Linwood Center is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Salary : $115,000 - $135,000