Description
Customer Service. Stewardship. Honesty. Integrity. Respect. Teamwork.
If these core principles resonate with you, you might just be the perfect fit for our Human Resources department. With our current leader’s upcoming retirement, the City of Manassas is preparing to welcome its next Director of Human Resources who will serve as a member of the City’s Senior Staff reporting to the City Manager. This is a key leadership role responsible for guiding a people-first HR function that supports a collaborative and service-driven organization.
There are HR jobs where the days are predictable. This is not one of them. This is an opportunity to join a leadership team that values partnership, accountability, and thoughtful decision-making while continuing to strengthen the employee experience across the organization.
About the Organization
The City of Manassas is a vibrant and growing community in Northern Virginia known for its accessibility, strong leadership, and commitment to public service. The organization takes pride in fostering a workplace culture that emphasizes respect, trust, and continuous improvement.
The Opportunity
The Director of Human Resources will lead all aspects of the City’s HR operations and strategy including effective leadership, planning, and administration of the City's human resources department; employee relations, human resource policies & compliance, benefit & leave administration, performance management, city-wide training and development, HRIS, budget administration, talent acquisition/EEO, compensation and classification, risk management and safety compliance.
This role will work closely with executive leadership and department heads to:
Inform critical decisions including staff selection and development, interpretation and explanation of personnel rules and state/federal laws
Develop and present personnel policy recommendations to City Council for approval
Strengthen workforce planning and organizational effectiveness in support of citywide goals and objectives
Support consistent and fair HR practices across departments
Enhance employee engagement and retention efforts
Continue building a responsive and trusted HR function
Leadership and Culture
The City values leaders who are approachable, solutions-oriented, and grounded in integrity. The ideal candidate will bring a balanced approach that combines strategic thinking with practical implementation and a strong understanding of public sector environments.
Key Priorities
Continue advancing a positive and consistent employee experience
Strengthen partnerships with department leadership
Evaluate and enhance HR processes for efficiency and clarity
Support leadership development across the organization
Maintain compliance while adapting to evolving workforce needs
Requirements
The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation and will have:
Master’s degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, or related field
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible HR leadership experience, ideally in local government
PHR/SPHR, SHRM, or PSHRA certification is required
Strong working knowledge of employment law and HR best practices
Demonstrated ability to build trust across a diverse workforce
Experience advising senior leadership
The ideal candidate will also be:
A steady and trusted advisor who builds credibility quickly
Approachable and practical, not overly theoretical
Comfortable navigating complex employee relations matters
Skilled at balancing consistency with flexibility
A collaborative partner who meets departments where they are
Focused on solutions, not just policy enforcement
They understand that success in this role comes from building relationships, maintaining transparency, and supporting leaders in a way that is both consistent and thoughtful.
Special Requirements
If you're ready to take the next step in your career and join a progressive, award-winning organization, apply immediately at www.manassasva.gov/jobs.
Initial review of applications to begin July 24, 2026. Priority will be given to those that apply quickly.
