General Manager Policy (Human Resources Department)

ABOUT THE ROLE The Policy General Manager serves as the internal consultant for City Departments developing or revising employee-related policies, administrative directives, procedures, and standard operating practices. Reporting to the Chief Policy and Planning Officer, this role has macro-level responsibility for leading the policy function to efficiently serve internal customers while ensuring compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations. The position collaborates with department leadership, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Civil Service, the Law Department, and executive leadership to ensure policies are legally sound, operationally effective, and aligned with collective bargaining agreements and the City's strategic priorities. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Provide vision, leadership, planning, and project management for policy operations, processes, and procedures. - Plan, direct, train, and supervise employees, including work assignment and performance reviews. - Act as a liaison between customer departments and the Human Resources Department to develop and maintain employee-related policies and programs. - Propose strategic advice to city-wide leaders to drive organizational effectiveness, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance. - Support consistent application of HR policies and conduct audits to address compliance issues. - Consult with directors and division heads on compliance initiatives and internal investigations regarding policy violations. - Assist in creating and maintaining policy best practices with the Chief Policy and Planning Officer. - Develop compliance metrics, perform risk analysis, and evaluate policy effectiveness. - Interpret federal and state employment laws and regulations, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, and HIPAA. - Assist with developing detailed justifications for proposals in the budget development process. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field of study. - Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in employment law, human resources, policy development and governance, or public administration. - Must include five (5) years of direct experience over human resource functions. - Significant experience directly handling and providing guidance on a variety of Human Resource compliance matters. - Preferred: Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, experience practicing employment law, public sector or unionized environment experience, and experience developing enterprise policy and governance frameworks. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Michigan Bar membership is preferred. - SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP Certification is preferred. - Designations from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or International Personnel Management Association - HR (IPMA-HR) are preferred. - Equivalent combinations of education and experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis. SELECTION PROCESS - Writing Sample: Pass/Fail - Interview: 70% - Evaluation of Training, Experience and Personal Qualifications: 30% - Total Evaluation: 100% HOW TO APPLY - Applications must be submitted referencing Job Number 2026111993882526HRJS. - The closing date for applications is September 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern. - Applicants should apply through the official City of Detroit employment portal or designated human resources application system. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Employer: City of Detroit - Department: Human Resources Dept, Policy, Planning, & Operations Division - Job Type: Certified-Regular Civil Service - Bargaining Unit: 9002-Senior Management - Location: Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave ste 316, Detroit, Michigan, 48226 - Work Environment: Sedentary work in a comfortable, appropriately lighted, heated, and cooled office environment. Some site visits, walking, and standing may be required for meetings and conferences away from the work site. - Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Detroit does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other prohibited criteria.