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.

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 historic Southern charm with the opportunities of a thriving regional hub. The city maintains AAA bond ratings from both S&P and Moody’s and is governed by a nine-member Board of Mayor and Aldermen, professionally managed by a City Administrator.

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 HR professional with demonstrated success in a municipality or county of comparable scale and complexity. The Director will serve as both a culture steward and 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 a 14-person HR and Risk Management department
• Oversee employee relations, workplace investigations, and performance management
• Administer multiple public retirement programs, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Manage self-insured benefits, workers’ compensation, insurance, safety, and risk programs
• Build strong partnerships with department leaders across public safety, utilities, and public works
• Modernize HR service delivery, manager tools, leadership development, and workforce analytics
• Strengthen HR systems and processes to support a high-performance workplace culture

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 (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PSHRA-CP, PSHRA-SCP) or ability to obtain within two years

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field
• HR 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
• Demonstrated success modernizing HR service delivery, manager tools, leadership development, and workforce analytics

Pay

$175,000–$185,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

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