Director of Human Resources

Director of Human Resources – Hickory Behavioral

Department: General Administrative
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Job Type: Full-Time

About the Role

The Director of Human Resources (HR) provides strategic and operational leadership for all human resources functions within the facility. This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with employment and healthcare regulations, supporting recruitment and retention efforts, and fostering a safe, respectful, and trauma-informed workplace.

Working closely with executive leadership and department managers, the Director of Human Resources serves as a trusted resource for employee relations, compliance, credentialing, performance management, workforce planning, and organizational development.

The ideal candidate is an experienced HR professional who is highly organized, approachable, knowledgeable about employment regulations, and comfortable working in a fast-paced behavioral healthcare environment.

Key Responsibilities

HR Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including:
  • FMLA
  • ADA
  • FLSA
  • EEOC
  • OSHA
  • Applicable labor regulations
• Oversee HR compliance related to Joint Commission, CMS, state licensing, and behavioral health accreditation standards.
• Maintain current knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and healthcare HR requirements.
• Ensure HR practices and documentation remain compliant with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Serve as a point of contact during HR-related inspections, audits, investigations, and regulatory reviews.

Recruitment, Staffing & Onboarding

• Oversee recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes for new employees.
• Partner with leadership and department managers to identify staffing needs and address workforce challenges.
• Develop strategies to support employee recruitment and retention.
• Address staffing challenges specific to psychiatric and behavioral healthcare environments.
• Facilitate general employee orientation and ensure new hires receive required information and training.
• Support a positive employee experience throughout the employment lifecycle.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Serve as a trusted resource to employees, managers, and executive leadership regarding HR matters.
• Manage employee relations issues, conflict resolution, grievances, and disciplinary actions fairly and consistently.
• Facilitate performance management processes and provide guidance to managers.
• Communicate and administer HR policies and procedures.
• Promote a respectful, professional, and trauma-informed workplace culture.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with employees and patients.

Credentialing & Workforce Compliance

• Oversee credentialing and compliance processes for clinical and medical staff.
• Ensure timely license and credential verification.
• Coordinate required background checks and ongoing compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate personnel records and documentation.
• Monitor employee certifications, licenses, and other required credentials.

HRIS, Reporting & Workforce Analytics

• Ensure accurate HRIS data, personnel files, and employee records.
• Monitor workforce metrics, including:
  • Employee turnover
  • Absenteeism
  • Staffing trends
  • Recruitment activity
  • Retention
• Establish key HR metrics and provide regular reports to executive leadership.
• Prepare payroll summary spreadsheets for corporate payroll processing.
• Identify workforce trends and provide recommendations to leadership based on available data.

Benefits & Payroll Support

• Oversee employee benefit enrollment and provide education regarding available benefits.
• Assist employees with benefit-related questions and resources.
• Prepare payroll-related documentation and summary reports for corporate processing.
• Ensure HR records and employee information are accurately maintained.

Workplace Safety & Risk Management

• Manage facility-level Workplace Violence Prevention initiatives.
• Promote a safe and respectful workplace for employees and patients.
• Coordinate and manage facility-level Workers' Compensation claims.
• Ensure workplace incidents and claims are appropriately documented and handled.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify opportunities to improve workplace safety.

Administrative & Organizational Support

• Serve as a strategic HR advisor to executive leadership and department managers.
• Support organizational development and workforce planning initiatives.
• Assist with HR-related processes associated with organizational acquisitions, when applicable.
• Process invoices related to HR and administrative functions.
• Maintain organized and accurate HR documentation.
• Participate in leadership meetings and organizational initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Candidates must meet one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Personnel Administration, Hospital Administration, Business Administration, or a related field; or
• Three or more years of HR experience, preferably within a healthcare or behavioral health setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification preferred.
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification preferred.
• Previous HR leadership experience in a healthcare or behavioral health environment preferred.
• Experience managing or supporting organizational acquisitions is preferred.
• Experience with healthcare credentialing and regulatory compliance preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment regulations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and employee-relations skills.
• Exceptional organization and time management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with leadership and staff.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including:
  • Excel
  • Word
  • PowerPoint
  • Publisher
• Ability to quickly learn new systems, processes, and regulations.

Requirements

• Valid driver's license with reliable transportation.
• Completion of CPR and CPI certification within the first 30 days of employment.
• Schedule flexibility may be required to accommodate facility operations and client admissions.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding employee and patient information.
• Ability to work professionally with employees, leadership, patients, and external partners.

Why Join Hickory Recovery Network?

At Hickory Recovery Network, our employees are at the heart of our mission. As a Director of Human Resources, you'll have the opportunity to shape workplace culture, support the people providing care, and help build an organization where employees can thrive.

Our Benefits May Include:

• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Holiday Pay
• Mental Health Days
• Flexible Scheduling
• Career Development Opportunities
• Supportive, Mission-Driven Work Environment

Join Our Team

If you're an experienced HR professional who is passionate about supporting employees, maintaining regulatory compliance, and building a strong workplace culture, we encourage you to apply.

Join Hickory Recovery Network and help create an environment where both our employees and the individuals we serve can thrive.