DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES – ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA

Alachua County, Florida (pop. 289,900) seeks a talented human resources leader to serve as its next Director of Human Resources. The Director manages personnel services for a workforce where 22% of employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements. As such, the Director also serves as the chief labor negotiator with the county’s two collective bargaining units. The successful candidate will possess comprehensive human resource management experience and be comfortable leading a hybrid and remote workforce.

Alachua County’s principal city is Gainesville, which is best known for the University of Florida and the NCAA Division I Florida Gators football team. The county also offers natural springs, historical districts, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. It is located in North Central Florida, two hours south of the state capital, two hours north of Orlando, and one hour southwest of Jacksonville. The county is easily accessible via Interstate 75, and the Gainesville Regional Airport offers daily flights to major cities including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Miami.

  • The county has a FY2025 budget of $866.9M and approximately 1,200 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions under the County Manager’s purview. The Human Resources Department has a budget of $2.5M and 14 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. In addition to serving the departments under the purview of the Board of County Commissioners, the HR Department also provides personnel services to the Supervisor of Elections, the Alachua County Library District, and the Gainesville/Alachua County Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO).

  • Major priorities for the incoming Director will include the completion of a countywide classification and compensation study and the implementation of a new HRIS, both of which are starting imminently.           

  • The ideal candidate is a collaborative, outcome-focused leader with strong management competencies. While broad knowledge of personnel management is a necessity, this position is well suited for a rising human resources professional for whom a department director role is the next step in their career. Candidates with prior local government experience and experience working with public sector labor unions will receive highest consideration.  

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, human resources management, industrial psychology, labor/industrial relations, or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible human resources management experience of which two (2) years must be supervisory and must include negotiating collective bargaining agreements with unions.

The hiring range for the position is $100,000-$120,000, and the county has a flexible hybrid and remote work policy. Alachua County offers a robust and progressive benefits package, including an Employee Health & Wellness Center which provides services to employees, retirees, and dependents enrolled in the county’s health insurance plan. Services include primary care, urgent care, and wellness services at no cost.

All employees participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) with a required 3% contribution which the county matches. Employees can elect the FRS Investment Plan with a one-year vesting schedule or the FRS Pension Plan with an eight-year vesting schedule. The county also offers elective Deferred Compensation (457) and ROTH IRA plans.

Apply online at www.GovHRjobs.com with a cover letter, resume, and contact information for five professional references by May 7, 2025. Confidential inquiries may be directed to Dele Lowman, MGT Senior Consultant, at (847) 380-3240 x 141.

The State of Florida has strong public record laws. Candidates are advised to be aware that all aspects of this recruitment are open to public records requests throughout the process.