Senior Director, Human Resources

Reports To:

New London Hospital (NLH) President and CEO

Dartmouth Health Chief Human Resources Officer

General Summary:

The  Senior Director Human Resources is a senior-level executive at New London Hospital, an affiliate member of Dartmouth Health (DH). The Senior Director is responsible for leading human resource policies, procedures and programs that support business goals and strategies across the organization, as well additional oversight of the campus childcare center. This role is a key member of the New London Hospital senior leadership team, aligning HR strategy with business objectives, culture and values of the organization, and is responsible for ensuring compliance with all state and federal regulations in employment law. The Senior Director is responsible for employee engagement initiatives and fostering positive employee relations throughout the organization.

In partnership with the health system’s HR centers of expertise, supports talent management, competitive pay and rewards, organizational effectiveness/design, and efforts to retain and recruit qualified talent. As a member of DH System HR leadership team, the Senior Director serves as a strong partner to organizational leaders on people-related strategies and implementation of system-wide objectives, integrated employee programs, career pathways, systems and overall talent management services. This role independently leads the local HR staff and day-to-day functions; including providing regular performance feedback and translating findings into priorities for continuous and breakthrough improvement.

Along with colleagues, champions high-reliability process design, innovation and a culture of service excellence and patient quality.  Demonstrates leadership in service to the NLH mission, values and both NLH’s and DH’s strategic plans and works collaboratively with physicians, administration, colleagues and staff to achieve related goals. The Senior Director will participate in system and local initiatives to support people-related needs of all employees within NLH. This role reports directly to the NLH President and Chief Executive Officer with a matrixed report to the Dartmouth Health Chief Human Resources Officer (DH CHRO).  

Functional Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Partner

• Maintains an effective level of operational knowledge of the organization and proactively consults with leaders to establish goals. Provides HR solutions to business challenges.
• Works in collaboration with other HR Leaders and system HR Shared Services, analyzes trends, metrics and process design in partnership with leaders to develop solutions, programs and policies.
• Serves as a change agent within HR and the organization to facilitate successful organizational change and effectiveness.
• Contributes to the development and attainment of the HR department's goals and objectives.

2. HR Operations

• score: N/A
• Manages HR staff and day-to-day operations to ensure delivery of value added service to leaders, physicians and employees that reflect the objectives and goals of the organization.
• In collaboration with HR Shared Services, implements new HR policies and programs, including the implementation of system wide initiatives and developing organization specific programs.
• Works with senior leadership to develop and implement strategies to organizational and HR goals and ensures HR staffing and expertise is available to maximize performance.
• Manages HR Department within budget guidelines.
• Monitors effectiveness of all HR policies, practices and processes. Recommends improvements to achieve identified outcomes and deliver improved result to local and system leaders as appropriate.
• Ensures high level of customer service is provided to all applicants, employees, clinicians and leadership.

3. Employee Engagement & Relations

• Responsible to develop and implement an organizational employee engagement plan in concert with the system and organizational leadership, with annual goals to improve employee engagement as a core strategic objective.
• Collaborates with leaders in addressing employee performance issues, including the appropriate implementation of the corrective action policy. Applies understanding of key legal precedents, policies, and practices to protect the organization and the rights of individual employees.
• Provides effective direction and advice to HR staff and leaders on interpretation and application of HR policies, FLSA, FMLA, LOA, ADA, Joint Commission, EEO, Harassment, and corporate compliance.
• Partners with DH system Employee Relations leadership and staff on employee investigations and matters involving the Risk Management Department and/or Office of General Counsel.

4. Compliance and Quality:

• Follows and provides guidance on federal and state employment law, to ensure compliance throughout the organization.
• In partnership with DH HR, develops and implements policies and procedures related to employment and safety in compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Recommends and maintains Human Resources policies, following hospital procedure, while seeking alignment with system policies when appropriate.
• Identifies and implements performance measures for Human Resources department.
• Identify risks and hazards to patients and document mitigation efforts (i.e. monitoring safety events and completing action items, RCAs, and intensive reviews).
• Ensures workers' compensation program is in compliance with all federal and state regulations, monitors workers' compensation statistics, and identifies and addresses trends. Reports results as appropriate.

5. Performance Management: 

• Monitors the performance evaluation program, to ensure that policies and practices of the program are in compliance, and that mechanisms ensure effective feedback.
• Fosters a culture of excellence in professional standards of practice with an emphasis on professional development and customer service.
• Meets routinely with leaders and department managers to communicate information and solicit input in the development and effectiveness of innovative human resource programs. Prioritizes opportunities and executes strategies to improve processes and outcomes.
• Offers assistance to leaders in the disciplinary process, by being present in employee conferences, as needed, as well as playing a key role in employee corrective action processes.

6. Compensation and Benefit Administration:

• Seeks opportunities to harmonize NLH’s benefit programs with Dartmouth Health while conducting an annual review of the benefit program elements which will remain local.
• Serves as local contact for communicating benefit and reward programs.
• In collaboration with the DH Total Rewards team, maintains comparative pay scales based on industry standards and compensation goals of the hospital, and reviews compensation annually. Participates in recommendations for wage and salary programs as part of the budget process.
• In partnership with the DH Total Rewards team, conducts individual compensation reviews as appropriate, provides recommendations, and processes applicable adjustments.

7. Workforce Planning & Talent Acquisition:

• Collaborates with DH Organizational and Employee Development to identify and implement programs that promote career development for all staff.
• Ensures that staff is qualified, trained and competent and that performance management processes are effectively completed, including evaluations, commendations, and progressive discipline, according to procedures.
• Works to develop a committed, high-performing, team-oriented staff. Ensures in-service or continuing education to develop the skills of staff, and to comply with applicable accreditation standards, as appropriate.
• Promotes career development for staff according to individual and organizational needs.
• Interviews, hires, and creates on-boarding plans for new or transferred employees; provides mentoring, coaching, and educational activities to support employee and leader development that aligns with organizational goals and objectives; creates performance goals and objectives; tracks and communicates progress. Prepares and conducts regular performance evaluations and performance management plans.
• Leads workforce planning to meet the workforce needs of the organization. Collaborates with business development to support organizational growth. Supports access to care through establishing, refining or creating new services or programs needed to meet the needs of employees and healthcare partners.
• Analyzes data related to staff engagement and turnover and in conjunction with leadership. Develops effective strategies to show measured performance improvement.
• Consults with leaders to analyze organization design, skill gap analysis, and participates in succession planning strategies.
• Promotes NLH and DH among health professionals and in the community.

8. Leadership Team Responsibilities

• Serves as a member of the New London Hospital Senior Leadership Team and participates in regular meetings, huddles, and retreats.
• May be assigned to board committees at the discretion of the CEO.
• Acts as key advisor to leaders on organizational and human resource matters. Recommends strategies, develops and executes operational plans to meet internal and external needs. Reports appropriate HR performance data and metrics to project trends and evaluate organizational performance.
• Participates as part of the administrator on call (AOC) pool. When serving as AOC, leads the daily safety huddle.
• Participates in assigned projects, such as A3 strategic initiatives and system HR initiatives.
• Responsible for achieving annual NLH and Dartmouth Health goals including, but not limited to employee engagement, turnover, quality outcomes, survey readiness, and operating margin goals.
• Must embody the culture and values of New London Hospital at all times in order to role model appropriate behaviors to the staff.
• Promotes timely, effective, and constructive communication within New London Hospital, Dartmouth Health, and the communities served.
• Establishes a culture, identity and sense of team that fosters exceptional service, creative problem solving and collaboration.
• Maintains a visible presence within the organization and throughout the DH System.

Position Requirements

1. Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication, problem-solving, conflict management, negotiation, and project management skills as well as strong presentation and delivery skills.
• Broad knowledge of employment law and compensation standards.
• The ability to work in a matrixed environment including local and system goals
• Demonstrated understanding of corporate and healthcare environment.
• Working knowledge of multiple human resource disciplines including workforce planning, employee relations, recruiting, compensation practices, organizational development, training, union avoidance, diversity, performance management, federal and state employment laws.
• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Excel, Word, HRIS platforms
• Knowledge of employment benefit program design, including medical plans, retirement plans, and other related programs.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to navigate ambiguity and changing priorities.
• Ability to work with diverse constituents, using a collaborative, service-oriented approach.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Brings a sense of humor and joy to work.

2. Experience
   • Five (5) years of human resources experience required.
   • Three (3) years of experience in a management position is required.
   • Experience in a healthcare environment is highly preferred and recommended.

3. Education
   • Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree in business, healthcare administration, organizational development, or related field strongly preferred.
   • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional (CP) preferred; Senior Certified Professional (SCP) preferred.

The Dartmouth Health system stretches over New Hampshire and Vermont and offers the quintessential New England experience. This beautiful area combines history, industry, and business and has been ranked consistently as one of the best places in the US to live and work. Anchored by the academic Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, the system includes the NCI - designated Dartmouth Cancer Center, the Dartmouth Health Children's hospital; 5 member hospitals, 30 ambulatory clinics across the region, and a VNA and Hospice. With destinations like Boston, New York, Montreal, the seacoast, and ski country within driving distance, the opportunities – both career and personal – truly make New Hampshire the ideal place to work and play.

Please direct all cover letters and resumes to:

Mark L. Semiao, MBA
Executive Recruiter, Talent Acquisition
Dartmouth Health

Mark.L.Semiao@hitchcock.org

Dartmouth Health is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.