Senior Director, HR Strategy & Operations (Louisville)

The Senior Director, HR Strategy & Operations will play a critical role in leading and overseeing all Human Resources aspects for Ford's newest manufacturing facilities. This exciting position involves designing and implementing a state-of-the-art HR framework that champions a world-class employee experience, promotes operational excellence, and cultivates a thriving, inclusive culture. In this pivotal role, you will define the HR strategy for these innovative sites, collaborating closely with joint venture partners, and guiding a team of HR professionals to bring this vision to life. We seek a visionary leader who can combine Ford's extensive manufacturing expertise with forward-thinking HR practices, emphasizing proactive employee engagement, robust talent development, and a positive high-performance culture from day one. You will be at the forefront of shaping the future of Human Resources in alignment with Ford's electric vehicle transformation. The ideal candidate will possess substantial experience in HR strategy for new sites, employee relations, organizational design, change management, and the complete employee lifecycle within large-scale manufacturing environments. This leader should be self-motivated, a strategic thinker with a proven history of building and leading high-performing HR teams, influencing senior stakeholders, and driving impactful organizational change. Strategic HR Leadership & Vision: Develop and champion a comprehensive HR strategy for all new manufacturing sites in alignment with Ford's overall objectives, culture, and growth plans. Lead the creation and execution of the manufacturing employee experience roadmap, designing engaging programs and policies from the start. Act as the primary HR strategic partner to senior manufacturing leadership and joint venture partners, guiding critical people strategies and organizational effectiveness. Drive the assessment, evolution, and implementation of a scalable manufacturing culture playbook that encourages positive employee relations and continuous improvement. Organizational Design & Talent Management: Design and implement the ideal HR organizational structure for new sites, focusing on the selection, development, and leadership of HR teams within each facility. Develop and oversee the talent strategy for new sites, including workforce and succession planning, to create a robust talent pipeline for all manufacturing operations and HR leadership roles. Collaborate with HR Centers of Excellence to tailor and deploy best-in-class HR programs that meet the distinct needs of greenfield operations. Oversee performance management frameworks and leadership development initiatives for sustained growth among manufacturing leaders and their teams. Culture Building and Positive Employee Relations: Provide guidance on conflict resolution, ensuring equitable treatment of employees and addressing concerns promptly to maintain a harmonious work environment. Implement effective communication strategies to keep employees informed about changes, goals, and performance, fostering trust and ownership. Ensure compliance with relevant employment laws and regulations, consistently promoting a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace. HR Operations & Analytics: Establish and optimize HR operational processes and systems for new sites, enhancing efficiency and scalability from launch to maturity. Leverage data analytics to identify trends and inform strategic HR interventions, ensuring decisions are data-driven. Lead change management planning for significant HR initiatives, ensuring successful implementation and sustainability. Stakeholder Partnership & Community Engagement: Build strong, collaborative relationships with key internal stakeholders across manufacturing leadership, legal, communications, government affairs, and HR Centers of Excellence. Engage with local communities to understand their needs, build partnerships, and position Ford as a responsible and respected corporate citizen. Critical Behaviors Will Include: Visionary Leadership:

Inspire innovation and strategic thinking to create a culture aligned with Ford+ behaviors and the Ford Plan. Executive Presence & Influence:

Demonstrated ability to influence at the highest levels of the organization and drive commitment to strategic HR initiatives. Employee-Centric Passion:

A commitment to enhancing the manufacturing workplace by proactively addressing employee needs and advocating for the employee experience. Results Orientation:

Strong determination to achieve results amid complex challenges, delivering measurable impact in dynamic environments. Collaborative & Inclusive:

A team-oriented leader fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment and building strong partnerships across all levels. Change Agent:

Proven experience as a change agent, demonstrating optimism and resilience in driving significant organizational transformation. Qualifications include a Master's degree in Human Resources or related field preferred, with 12+ years of progressive HR experience, including a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role focused on HR strategy in large-scale manufacturing. Extensive experience in greenfield HR strategy, positive employee relations, executing lean principles, and developing future talent capabilities is essential. This description outlines the general nature and scope of work typically performed in this position and is subject to change based on business needs. What you'll receive in return: As a member of the Ford family, you'll enjoy competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package with generous PTO, retirement plans, incentive compensation, and more. We support a