Director of Human Resources - Critical Access Hospital

Job Title: Director of Human Resources
Search Managed by: Riam Recruiting

Overview

Riam Recruiting is conducting an executive search for a Director of Human Resources. Our client is a nonprofit, mission-driven healthcare organization committed to delivering high-quality services to its community in Cloquet, Minnesota. This organization values strong leadership, operational excellence, and a people-first culture that supports both employees and the individuals they serve.

This is an opportunity to step into a high-impact leadership role where you will shape HR strategy, drive labor relations, and influence organizational performance at a senior level.

Job Summary

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic and operational leadership across all HR functions, with a strong emphasis on labor relations. This role is responsible for leading collective bargaining efforts, managing employee relations, overseeing benefits administration, and ensuring compliance with all applicable employment laws.

This individual will partner closely with executive leadership and play a critical role in shaping the organization’s workforce strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all labor relations activities, including collective bargaining, grievance management, and contract interpretation


• Serve as first-chair or second-chair negotiator in union contract negotiations


• Manage multiple labor agreements and participate in multiple contract negotiations annually


• Oversee employee relations, ensuring consistent, fair, and compliant practices


• Develop and implement HR strategies, policies, and procedures aligned with organizational goals


• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations


• Oversee benefits administration, including insurance and retirement programs


• Act as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on HR and workforce matters


• Lead and develop HR team members


• Drive HR operations, reporting, and workforce planning initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred


• 5+ years of progressive HR leadership experience


• Extensive labor relations experience required, including:
  
  
  
  • Acting as a first-chair or second-chair negotiator
  
  
  • Managing multiple collective bargaining agreements
  
  
  • Leading or participating in multiple contract negotiations annually
  
  
  
  


• Strong knowledge of employee relations, wage and hour laws, and benefits administration (including ERISA)


• Experience with Minnesota ESST and Minnesota Paid Leave preferred


• Healthcare experience is a plus, but not required


• Proven ability to influence leadership and drive organizational outcomes


• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-level priorities


• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities

Compensation

• Salary range: $135,000 – $165,000, depending on experience


• Placement within the range will be heavily influenced by the depth of labor relations and negotiation experience


• Additional earning potential through performance-based bonuses and compensation adjustments