Director, Office of Human Resources

Director, Office of Human Resources

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): District of Columbia, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $150160 - $225700 Per Year

Job Summary: The position is responsible for development, administration, and execution of the Smithsonian Institution Human Resources Management Program for all Federal Civil Service and Smithsonian Trust employees (including ancillary activities and business). The components of the Program include compensation, benefits, recruitment, policy, organizational development and design, workforce and succession planning, legal compliance, training and development, and orientation.

Major Duties:

• As a member of the senior management team, performs a major role in influencing or making decisions regarding the human resources component of the Smithsonian's mission goals and strategic objectives. Responsible for all human resource management functions including employment; employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training and development. Directs a full range of human resource management and service programs. This includes workforce planning, position management and classification, compensation and benefits, recruitment and staffing, labor relations, performance management, personal security, and employee assistance programs. Establishes and maintains communications with museum directors, research institutes, education offices and other finance and administration units to understand their needs and promote human resource capabilities throughout the Institution. Works in close coordination with the Office of the General Counsel and the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) to provide leadership and promote effective solutions to issues regarding equal and fair employment opportunities, and monitors and ensures the compliance and effectiveness of all employment activities. Cultivates and builds relationships with other internal service groups including the offices of Protection Services, Contracting, Sponsored Projects, Finance and Accounting, Global Affairs, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and Smithsonian Enterprises to facilitate comprehensive and coordinated service delivery. Represents management with various employee groups (including Federal and private sector unions covering approximately 30 percent of the entire Smithsonian workforce), Government agencies, museum and educational professional organizations, and other appropriate organizations. As required, provides liaison between the Smithsonian, the Office of Personnel Management, and other government agencies. Serves as the key staff providing leadership and support for the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board of Regents. Develops proactive human resources programs; advises on Institutional human resources needs, allocation and use; and assesses organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness. Develops, implements, and administers new, innovative, and responsive human resources systems. Prioritizes all human capital management initiatives related to employees in line with the Institution's strategic objectives and available resources and communicates prioritization rationale to all interested parties including the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary for Finance and Administration/CFO, management and supervisory officials, peers, subordinates, and employees. Develops, implements, and administers methodologies for forecasting and monitoring the return on the human capital investment related to employees. Advises and counsels unit heads about maximizing the return on human capital related to employees through more productive use of human resources through policies and programs to improve staffing. Coordinates with other organizations that have human capital oversight and responsibilities, including the Office of Academic Appointments and Internships (for fellows and interns), the Office of Contracting and Personal Property Management (for contractors), and the Office of Visitor Services (for volunteers) on SI-wide human capital initiatives.

Qualifications: BASIC QUALIFICATIONS Applicants must clearly demonstrate the necessary level of managerial and leadership skills and competence to perform successfully in this position. This includes a degree in an applicable subject matter field, or a combination of education and appropriate experience that provides knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a four-year course of study in an applicable subject matter field. An advanced degree (e.g., JD, MBA, MPP) is preferred. SHRM certification is a plus. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE In addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. Specialized experience is defined as leading and managing a human resources department or a significant set of human capital functions, including creating and communicating all human resources programs, policies, and procedures across a large, complex organization with a myriad of stakeholders. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria: Demonstrated experience developing and executing an HR strategy that directly advanced organizational goals in a large, complex organization. This includes providing strategic direction and ensuring alignment, integration, and measurable impact. Demonstrated ability and experience developing, launching, and enhancing HR program initiatives, including recruiting, onboarding, performance management, training, high potential programs, and succession planning. Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of employment and benefit laws through knowledge of, or exposure to, Federal Government employment. Demonstrated experience and skill in building cooperative relationships between colleagues, and with internal and external stakeholders, as well as negotiating solutions that address varied, complex and occasionally opposing interests. This includes explaining positions/solutions, both orally and in writing, and gaining acceptance by museum and/or research facility colleagues and customers/managers at all levels. Demonstrated skill and ability in leading, supervising and managing a multi-disciplined and talented workforce, including fostering teamwork and high morale; attracting, retaining, motivating, and providing guidance to a talented and skilled workforce.

How to Apply: Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note: You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you). You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process; OR You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system-generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system-generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package. The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the contact person listed below.

Application Deadline: 2025-12-17