HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

The City of Santa Fe invites applications for the position of HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR. The Human Resources Director will be appointed by and will report directly to the City Manager. The Department has an authorized staff of 17, operating within the following functional areas: Recruitment, Compensation & Benefits, Organizational Development/Training, Employee Relations and Wellness.

The Position: The City seeks a Human Resources Director with exceptional experience in leading a high-achieving team of HR professionals and support staff, possessing strong knowledge of modern employer-employee relations practices and a passion for creating a supportive, learning workplace. Serving as a key member of the City’s senior management team, the Director works closely with department directors, the City’s three recognized bargaining groups, and as a primary liaison to the Employee Benefits Committee.
The Human Resources Director and team are involved in every aspect of the City’s operations and will work closely with the Mayor and City Councilors. The City is in the process of upgrading its budget, ERP and performance evaluation systems. As a new Mayoral administration takes office, there is great opportunity in this position to make a lasting positive impact on the City and its employee service systems.

The City: Santa Fe operates as a Strong Mayor city. Mayor-elect Michael Garcia will assume office on January 1. The Mayor serves as the City’s Chief Executive and also chairs a Governing Body, consisting of the Mayor and 8 City Councilors. He will appoint the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk, subject to confirmation by Councilors. The rest of the City’s department heads are appointed by the City Manager.
The City of Santa Fe is the capital city of New Mexico with a residential population of roughly 90,000, which swells on a daily basis thanks to a strong tourism and business economy. Known for its rich culture, history, arts, museums, food and hospitality, Santa Fe was recently designated by Travel & Leisure Magazine as the #1 place to visit in the United States.
Santa Fe is home to a proud multi-generational population, as well as new arriving citizenry. As such, a major focus of City leadership is to balance growth in ways that enhance both economic opportunity and housing affordability so that Santa Fe retains its cultural richness and its access for its historic population. There is great interest in further establishing recruitment and employment opportunity for local citizens.
Recruitment Process: Interested candidates may submit a current resume and compelling cover letter to the City’s Human Resources Department through the City’s online job portal. The first screening of resumes will occur on or about January 12, 2026. Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to interview for the position. Finalists may be asked to participate in public processes. All applicants should be aware that candidate identities are subject to public disclosure.
Position Qualifications: The adopted job description for the Human Resources Director position is attached for review. Familiarity with governmental processes is highly desirable. The City is looking for a Director who can lead the City organization in a comprehensive evaluation of its management systems relating to performance evaluation, compensation, recruitment & training and labor relations, focusing on both internal and external customer relations.
Salary/Compensation: Salary for the position will be established based on qualifications, within the range of $ $138,000 to $158,000. The City also offers a very competitive package of benefits, including group medical and State PERA pension benefits.

The Mayor and Governing Body welcome candidates who wish to join a new Administration dedicated to a safe, healthy and prosperous community for all citizens.

Code : 378-4

Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL

Location : HUMAN RESOURCES

Group : EXEMPT AT

Job Class : HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

Posting Start : 12/15/2025

Posting End : 12/31/2025

HOURLY RATE RANGE: $62.11-$90.06