Deputy HR Director (Littleton)
City of Littleton (Colorado), Littleton, Colorado, United States, 80161
The City of Littleton is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and people-centered Deputy HR Director to help lead and advance a high-performing Human Resources team. This key leadership role oversees a broad portfolio including HR systems, risk management, employee relations, learning and development, performance management, and workplace culture initiatives, while directly supporting the Human Resources Director in developing and implementing citywide initiatives. The Deputy HR Director plays a critical role in ensuring effective service delivery, regulatory compliance, and a positive, engaged workplace that aligns with the city's values and strategic goals.
The ideal candidate is an approachable, steady leader with strong knowledge and experience in risk management and employee relations, as well as other functional HR areas. Clear and professional communication skills and the ability to balance employee advocacy, organization needs, and legal considerations with tact and diplomacy is essential.
The Deputy HR Director will have the opportunity to champion and lead a variety and projects and initiatives including:
Co-leading the employee driven Culture Collective committee to translate employee feedback into action.
Providing strategic development and oversight of citywide training and leadership development programs, including Littleton Leads.
Leading and/or overseeing Workday HRIS optimization and releases.
About the City of Littleton
The City of Littleton is a vibrant community consistently recognized as one of America's Best Small Cities (https://www.littletonco.gov/Government/Departments/Communications-Marketing-Events/Honors-Awards-and-Recognition) , and a top destination for families. Discover some of the remarkable things Littleton has to offer at VisitLittleton.org (https://visitlittleton.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21291435001&gbraid=0AAAAA9hi23VoywULsS7ew7rpV5sIOeKgn&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIucnkv7mBkQMVOSmtBh0VuwoMEAAYASAAEgJzqPD_BwE) . With its historic and lively downtown, diverse shopping and dining options, and an extensive network of parks and trails, Littleton boasts a prime location just south of Denver and a short drive to the majestic Rocky Mountains and Colorado ski country. The City of Littleton offers excellent benefits and perks to its employees. For more details, please refer to the 2026 Benefit Guide (https://www.littletonco.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/2/human-resources/documents-hr/2026-city-of-littleton-benefit-guide.pdf) .
The City of Littleton believes in attracting and retaining the best talent, and its strategies include
hiring at market pay
and creating career development opportunities.
In addition to your application, please submit a cover letter that describes why you are the best candidate for this position with the City of Littleton.
Hiring pay range $147,345 - $155,100 per year
This full-time position is exempt per FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Work Schedule
: This is a full-time position with the option to work a hybrid schedule, combining remote work with in-person days at the office.
Application Deadline
: Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified or the position is filled, but
preference will be given to complete applications received by February 17, 2026
. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Deputy
Oversees functional areas of HR including HRIS, FMLA, Training and Development, Workers' Compensation, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Safety, and workplace culture initiatives including supervisory responsibilities.
Supports the HR Director and assists in the development and administration of the city's personnel policies and procedures, including regular review and updates to the Employee and Policy Manual.
Assists the HR Director in planning and coordinating the department's work plan.
Makes recommendations to the HR Director on hiring, discipline, and termination.
In collaboration with the HR Director, establishes appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates departmental efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods; allocates resources accordingly. Assists with managing the personnel and resources of the department to accomplish established department goals and objectives.
Reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures across the department; meets with staff to identify and establish goals and resolve problems.
Plans, directs, and evaluates operational activities to include implementing projects.
Assists the HR Director with creating communications and presentations for City Council.
Creates RFPs, obtains bids, manages select contracts and directs work to outside consultants when necessary.
Manages contractual agreements for the department in conjunction with City Attorney's Office and Procurement.
Serves as a member of the city's team responsible for negotiations with the Littleton Police Officer Association, providing support to the city with various needs including conducting research and gathering information during the bargaining process.
Serves as key advisor to department heads and supervisors on complex human resources issues, including disciplinary actions, investigations, reasonable accommodations, and policy interpretations.
Conducts special projects as assigned by the HR Director, City Manager and Deputy City Manager.
Provides leadership and support to various committees related to Human Resources.
Works collaboratively with other departments regarding HR matters that raise policy or other special questions and do not follow prescribed patterns and procedures.
Acts as HR Director in their absence.
May serve as an Emergency Worker.
People and Culture
Champions a positive, inclusive, and values-driven workplace culture aligned with the city's strategic goals.
Manages and administers check-in performance processes three times per year to include goal planning, developmental activities, goal updates, evaluation and corresponding guides and resources to successfully complete processes.
Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive employee and/or citizen inquiries and complaints.
Serves as co-chair of the employee Culture Collective committee, providing leadership and guidance to committee members and relaying recommendations to the city's leadership team.
Leads employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, grievance resolution, and disciplinary processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, and legal compliance.
Prepares responses to employment-related claims against the city.
Creates and administers employee surveys and recommends changes as needed; reviews data and recommends policy and/or procedure updates based on feedback and leads efforts on identified action items.
Provides the leadership and management skills necessary to create a healthy and safe work environment for the department and other city departments.
Provides strategic direction and oversight of the city's training programs, including partnering with outside vendors, managing training budget, and ad-hoc internal learning and development needs.
Identifies workforce skill gaps and future organizational needs; develops learning strategies that support succession planning and long-term workforce readiness.
Manages the Littleton Leads program including citywide communication, application process and selection, and partnership with University of Denver faculty and South Platte Renew facility staff on program coordination and logistics.
Evaluates training effectiveness using data, feedback, and outcomes to continuously improve learning programs.
Collaborates with departments to embed learning and development initiatives into day-to-day operations.
Compliance and Risk
Oversees ADA Compliance processes and procedures. Evaluates and responds to inquiries, complaints and requests for accommodation(s), and serves as escalation point for ADA appeals process.
Determines changes in requirements of State and Federal legislation and prepares recommendations to amend current personnel policies and procedures to ensure conformance.
Partners with the City Attorney's Office on employment-related issues, compliance needs, and citizen claims when necessary.
Serves as escalation point in addressing complex unemployment claim responses.
Technology
Responsible for the timely and accurate delivery of all HRIS projects including the customization/configuration, maintenance, testing, training, and upgrades of HRIS software.
Directs the use of HRIS software in all functional areas to ensure consistency and adherence to the overall design.
Proactively seeks opportunities to use additional HRIS functionality to benefit HR's business needs and workflow.
Serves as the primary Security Administrator for HRIS system for HR staff. Responsible for audit compliance for the HRIS area.
Ensu
The ideal candidate is an approachable, steady leader with strong knowledge and experience in risk management and employee relations, as well as other functional HR areas. Clear and professional communication skills and the ability to balance employee advocacy, organization needs, and legal considerations with tact and diplomacy is essential.
The Deputy HR Director will have the opportunity to champion and lead a variety and projects and initiatives including:
Co-leading the employee driven Culture Collective committee to translate employee feedback into action.
Providing strategic development and oversight of citywide training and leadership development programs, including Littleton Leads.
Leading and/or overseeing Workday HRIS optimization and releases.
About the City of Littleton
The City of Littleton is a vibrant community consistently recognized as one of America's Best Small Cities (https://www.littletonco.gov/Government/Departments/Communications-Marketing-Events/Honors-Awards-and-Recognition) , and a top destination for families. Discover some of the remarkable things Littleton has to offer at VisitLittleton.org (https://visitlittleton.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21291435001&gbraid=0AAAAA9hi23VoywULsS7ew7rpV5sIOeKgn&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIucnkv7mBkQMVOSmtBh0VuwoMEAAYASAAEgJzqPD_BwE) . With its historic and lively downtown, diverse shopping and dining options, and an extensive network of parks and trails, Littleton boasts a prime location just south of Denver and a short drive to the majestic Rocky Mountains and Colorado ski country. The City of Littleton offers excellent benefits and perks to its employees. For more details, please refer to the 2026 Benefit Guide (https://www.littletonco.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/2/human-resources/documents-hr/2026-city-of-littleton-benefit-guide.pdf) .
The City of Littleton believes in attracting and retaining the best talent, and its strategies include
hiring at market pay
and creating career development opportunities.
In addition to your application, please submit a cover letter that describes why you are the best candidate for this position with the City of Littleton.
Hiring pay range $147,345 - $155,100 per year
This full-time position is exempt per FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Work Schedule
: This is a full-time position with the option to work a hybrid schedule, combining remote work with in-person days at the office.
Application Deadline
: Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified or the position is filled, but
preference will be given to complete applications received by February 17, 2026
. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Deputy
Oversees functional areas of HR including HRIS, FMLA, Training and Development, Workers' Compensation, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Safety, and workplace culture initiatives including supervisory responsibilities.
Supports the HR Director and assists in the development and administration of the city's personnel policies and procedures, including regular review and updates to the Employee and Policy Manual.
Assists the HR Director in planning and coordinating the department's work plan.
Makes recommendations to the HR Director on hiring, discipline, and termination.
In collaboration with the HR Director, establishes appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates departmental efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods; allocates resources accordingly. Assists with managing the personnel and resources of the department to accomplish established department goals and objectives.
Reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures across the department; meets with staff to identify and establish goals and resolve problems.
Plans, directs, and evaluates operational activities to include implementing projects.
Assists the HR Director with creating communications and presentations for City Council.
Creates RFPs, obtains bids, manages select contracts and directs work to outside consultants when necessary.
Manages contractual agreements for the department in conjunction with City Attorney's Office and Procurement.
Serves as a member of the city's team responsible for negotiations with the Littleton Police Officer Association, providing support to the city with various needs including conducting research and gathering information during the bargaining process.
Serves as key advisor to department heads and supervisors on complex human resources issues, including disciplinary actions, investigations, reasonable accommodations, and policy interpretations.
Conducts special projects as assigned by the HR Director, City Manager and Deputy City Manager.
Provides leadership and support to various committees related to Human Resources.
Works collaboratively with other departments regarding HR matters that raise policy or other special questions and do not follow prescribed patterns and procedures.
Acts as HR Director in their absence.
May serve as an Emergency Worker.
People and Culture
Champions a positive, inclusive, and values-driven workplace culture aligned with the city's strategic goals.
Manages and administers check-in performance processes three times per year to include goal planning, developmental activities, goal updates, evaluation and corresponding guides and resources to successfully complete processes.
Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive employee and/or citizen inquiries and complaints.
Serves as co-chair of the employee Culture Collective committee, providing leadership and guidance to committee members and relaying recommendations to the city's leadership team.
Leads employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, grievance resolution, and disciplinary processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, and legal compliance.
Prepares responses to employment-related claims against the city.
Creates and administers employee surveys and recommends changes as needed; reviews data and recommends policy and/or procedure updates based on feedback and leads efforts on identified action items.
Provides the leadership and management skills necessary to create a healthy and safe work environment for the department and other city departments.
Provides strategic direction and oversight of the city's training programs, including partnering with outside vendors, managing training budget, and ad-hoc internal learning and development needs.
Identifies workforce skill gaps and future organizational needs; develops learning strategies that support succession planning and long-term workforce readiness.
Manages the Littleton Leads program including citywide communication, application process and selection, and partnership with University of Denver faculty and South Platte Renew facility staff on program coordination and logistics.
Evaluates training effectiveness using data, feedback, and outcomes to continuously improve learning programs.
Collaborates with departments to embed learning and development initiatives into day-to-day operations.
Compliance and Risk
Oversees ADA Compliance processes and procedures. Evaluates and responds to inquiries, complaints and requests for accommodation(s), and serves as escalation point for ADA appeals process.
Determines changes in requirements of State and Federal legislation and prepares recommendations to amend current personnel policies and procedures to ensure conformance.
Partners with the City Attorney's Office on employment-related issues, compliance needs, and citizen claims when necessary.
Serves as escalation point in addressing complex unemployment claim responses.
Technology
Responsible for the timely and accurate delivery of all HRIS projects including the customization/configuration, maintenance, testing, training, and upgrades of HRIS software.
Directs the use of HRIS software in all functional areas to ensure consistency and adherence to the overall design.
Proactively seeks opportunities to use additional HRIS functionality to benefit HR's business needs and workflow.
Serves as the primary Security Administrator for HRIS system for HR staff. Responsible for audit compliance for the HRIS area.
Ensu