Human Resources & Risk Management Director

City of Franklin, TN is seeking a strategic public-sector Human Resources executive to lead a broad, multi-disciplinary portfolio in a full-service municipal organization. The successful candidate will support approximately 800 employees across public safety, utilities, public works, and other professional operations while advancing a positive, high-performance workplace culture.

About the Role

The Human Resources and Risk Management Director reports to the Assistant City Administrator/Chief Financial Officer and leads a 14-position department. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned local government human resources professional with demonstrated success in a municipality or county of comparable scale and complexity. The next Director will serve as both a culture steward and a process architect—protecting Franklin’s strong workplace foundation while fostering effective systems for employee relations, investigations, performance management, talent acquisition, leadership development, benefits, risk, safety, and retirement administration.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex employee relations and workplace investigations
• Administer performance management and multiple public retirement programs
• Build strong partnerships with department leaders
• Strengthen HR systems and processes
• Oversee benefits, risk management, safety, and workers’ compensation
• Modernize Human Resources service delivery, manager tools, leadership development, and workforce analytics

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field
• Five to seven years of executive-level human resources management experience in a municipal or county government
• Professional HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PSHRA-CP, or PSHRA-SCP (or ability to obtain within two years)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field
• Human Resources leadership experience in a city or county of similar scale and complexity, including public safety and 24/7 operations
• Experience administering multiple defined benefit and defined contribution retirement programs, self-insured benefits, workers’ compensation, insurance, safety, and risk management
• Demonstrated success modernizing Human Resources service delivery, manager tools, leadership development, and workforce analytics

About Franklin, TN

Franklin is a highly regarded community known for its exceptional quality of life, historic character, and vibrant economy. Located just 15 miles south of Nashville, Franklin blends the character of a historic Southern city with the opportunities of a thriving regional hub. The City has experienced significant growth while remaining committed to preserving its heritage and community character. Governed by a nine-member Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Franklin is professionally managed by a City Administrator and maintains AAA bond ratings from both S&P and Moody’s.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $175,000–$185,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

• Highly competitive benefits package
• Defined benefit retirement through the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System
• Possible relocation assistance

For more information, contact Clay J. Pearson, Senior Vice President, at claypearson@governmentresource.com or (713) 816-8639.