People and Culture Manager (WMS 2)

Description

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

You’ll also serve as a strategic advisor on the Human Resource Management (HRM) Team, helping leadership shape a culture that promotes awareness, removes barriers, and builds leadership capacity.

Duties

What you’ll do:

Employee Engagement and Culture:

• Lead the charge on employee experience by analyzing new hire surveys, exit interviews, stay interviews, and recruitment data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Partner with internal experts (like our Workforce Planning and Development Manager) to turn insights into action.
• Administer and track statewide employee engagement surveys and represent Commerce on related committees.
• Champion Mission Based Teams (MBTs) and Commerce’s equity plan.
• Oversee the entire employee lifecycle—from application to separation—including recruitment, onboarding, learning, leadership development, engagement, and well-being.
• Celebrate our people! Support and lead employee recognition efforts across the agency.

Leadership and Organizational Development:

• Be our management guru! Provide expert guidance using methodologies like ADKAR, LEAN, Motivational Interviewing, and Conflict Mediation.
• Tailor change management plans to fit unique projects and strategic initiatives.
• Advise the CHRO on HR impact and DEAI integration to build a culture of belonging and resilience.

Cultural Competence and Inclusion:

• Drive HRD’s DEAI strategic alignment by developing and implementing anti-racism and inclusion strategies.
• Stay sharp by attending BRG events, trainings, workshops, and conferences.
• Bring fresh insights and best practices to HR policies and programs that center respect, inclusion, and belonging.

Why you’ll love the role:

• You’ll be at the forefront of shaping a workplace culture that truly reflects our values.
• You’ll collaborate with passionate professionals across the agency.
• You’ll have the freedom to innovate, influence, and inspire

Qualifications

Sound interesting? Here’s what we are looking for:

Any combination in the areas listed below totaling 9 total years. (Experience must include 6 or more years working full-time as a Human Resource Professional.)

• Professional experience overseeing change management for teams, programs or organizations.
• Experience with equity, diversity, and inclusion that includes leading initiatives to promote inclusive workplace practices and organizing employee resource groups or diversity councils.
• Demonstrated understanding of how DEAI strategies are operationalized across departmental business service lines.
• Demonstrated ability to engage colleagues to promote trust, collaboration, participation, and partnership on DEAI efforts and initiatives.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply Civil Service Rules, federal and state employment laws, agency policies and procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills: ability to establish effective working relationships to influence and communicate effectively when recommending and implementing statewide HR policies or decisions and working cooperatively and collaboratively with others.
• Advanced knowledge of effective human resource management and expertise in HR principles and practice.
• Experience leading and/or facilitating difficult conversations that relate to diversity, equity, inclusion, oppression, and/or racism.
  

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree with major coursework in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Management or related field.
• Certifications - Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) OR Certified Diversity Executive (CDE), SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP OR Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) OR Lean Six Sigma OR Prosci.

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

Supplemental Information

Work from Anywhere in Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.