ERS - Deputy Director of Human Resources

Our mission is simply stated: ERS offers competitive benefits to enhance the lives of its members. Each team member across the agency contributes to our ongoing success. ERS is open for business five days a week, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, to meet customers where they need us: in person, on the phone, in their communities, and online. ERS currently offers opportunities that include flexible work schedules.

ERS is seeking a Deputy Director of Human Resources to perform highly responsible professional personnel management duties in Human Resources, functioning as a consultant and advisor to the Agency and Director of Human Resources. Assists the director in managing human resource programs and activities, including but not limited to: salary administration functions, benefits, talent management, classification and compensation activities, and policies and procedures that ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including, but not limited to equal employment criteria, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, and the Position Classification Act. Manages and supervises the work of assigned staff. Exercises discretion in handling information of a sensitive and confidential nature. Works under the minimal direction of the Director of Human Resources, with extensive latitude for exercising initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

AGENCY & HR OPERATIONS

·         Assists the Director of Human Resources in overseeing day-to-day operations of the division, ensuring development and implementation of HR strategies, initiatives, programs, and policies are being met, including but not limited to: Talent and performance management; total compensation, training and development, leadership development, employee relations and engagement programs and initiatives.

·         Build and maintain a positive and collaborative relationship with the HR team and within the organization.

·         Provides oversight, guidance, training and development, support to HR Team for work activities, challenges, and foster solutions.

·         Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive Agency leadership development programs—including manager training, regular check-ins, and targeted initiatives—that equip leaders with proactive tools and resources to drive effective team management and reinforce alignment with the organization’s culture and values.

·         Assist in planning HR Division’s long-term and short-term initiatives, objectives, measurement tools, developing policies and procedures; establishing priorities and evaluating program activities. Lead and implement Agency initiatives and projects related to HR functions and initiatives.

·         Oversee HR Division contracts.

·         Oversee and assist HRD with division budget, personnel actions, performance reviews.

·         Stay abreast of HR best practices, laws, regulations, policies and proposed laws that impact HR activities. 

·         May represent the Human Resources Division internally and externally, includes; board meetings, stakeholder meetings, committees, agency or EO initiatives, conferences, etc. 

·         Oversee coordination of HR activities, reports, dashboards, publications, and events that are sponsored or within responsibility of HR division.

·         May review and approve personnel actions, offer letters, and various correspondence in HRD absence.

·         Assign and/or supervise the work of others as needed.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

·         Serve as a trusted advisor to employees and managers, handling employee relations matters with professionalism and discretion while fostering legal compliance and a positive workplace culture.

·         Proactively manages employee relations matters and leads workplace investigations, including misconduct, conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, terminations, and grievances.

·         Review, prioritize, and organize case information by analyzing key details, identifying components that require action, and structuring cases for timely and efficient resolution.

·         Follow documented protocols and processes to deliver exceptional customer service and first call resolution.

·         Oversee documentation of case actions and maintain accurate records.

·         Conduct impartial investigations into employee concerns including unprofessional conduct, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and policy violations.

·         Analyze and synthesize information—interviews, documentation, and data—to develop balanced, evidence-based findings.

·         Partner cross-functionally with Office of General Counsel to develop procedures and templates for process improvements of the ER functions that drive timely, effective resolutions.

·         Coach managers to set clear expectations, provide actionable feedback, and address performance matters with empathy and consistency.

·         Serve as advisor to managers to address employee performance issues, including administering disciplinary processes.

·         Direct and assist the Learning and Development team in designing and implementing targeted training programs—such as workshops, classes, and toolkits—that equip leaders to effectively manage employee relations issues. Define program objectives, set clear deliverables, and ensure timely execution and measurable impact.

·         Assist with the updating of agency policies and responding to inquiries and concerns.

·         Monitor legal trends in employment law and proactively develop strategies to address emerging risks, and ensure compliance, ahead of legal changes related to workplace and workforce impacts.

Accommodations & Special Leaves:

·         Serve as a resource and counsel to Benefits and Leave staff for employees requesting accommodations; oversee and provide direction into the interactive process and make determinations in partnership with division leaders.

·         Review complex accommodation requests; assist with process oversight, and ensure all required documentation is completed.

·         Assist with educating employees and managers on accommodation processes, legal considerations, and responsibilities.

·         Oversee tracking and reporting on leave and accommodation metrics to ensure adherence to laws, policies, procedures, and continuous improvement efforts are made.

·         Monitor FML, ADA, other workplace accommodation and special leave requests and ensure process timeliness; may approve or deny request in compliance with policies. 

Required Minimum Qualifications: Your application for employment must reflect how you meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

1.     Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in Business Administration, Management, Human Resources development, Business Management, Public Administration, or Law. Qualifying experience may substitute for education.

2.     Six (6) to seven (7) years (depending on classification) of progressive HR management experience, including at least three (3) years in a related leadership role within the last five years.

3.     Two (2) to three (3) years (depending on classification) of investigation experience including EEOC experience, employment laws and matters; including counseling and disputes.

Preferred Qualifications: Your application for employment should reflect how you meet the following preferred qualifications:

4.     Professional HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP)

5.     Master’s degree in human resources, leadership, business, or a closely related field.

6.     Experience working in employment law in public sector.

7.     Experience coaching and mentoring employees and managers.

8.     An active membership with the State Bar of Texas that is in good standing.

Special Requirement:

·         Attainment of HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) within one year of hire date is required.

PLEASE NOTE: All submissions should contain complete job history entries, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, and a description of duties performed as related to the position you are applying for. Resumes lacking sufficient detail, such as a summary of experience in lieu of progression of work history may not meet minimum qualifications.

Other Information: In accordance with state law, authorization for telework may not be awarded to an employee as a condition of hiring. As an agency process, new employees complete a 30 day fully onsite period before evaluation for a telework agreement. This position may require access to privileged, confidential, or sensitive data. ERS will conduct either a TXDPS or FBI criminal history check on all new hires. For more information about this policy inquiries can be made to [email protected]. Please note: Internal applicants in the same salary group and classification as the posted position are eligible to receive an increase in salary where applicable up to the posted maximum.

ERS does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.

Military Occupational Specialty Codes:

Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty (https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/) along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources at [email protected] with questions or for additional information.

How to Apply: Ready to join the dedicated, customer-focused team at ERS? Submit the following to the ERS Human Resources Office:

A State of Texas Application for Employment submitted online through CAPPS Recruit.

·         Use the link below to create a CAPPS Recruit account and build your profile on the “My JobPage” tab in the upper left corner of the screen.

·         https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/327/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

·         Once your profile is complete, click on the “Job Search” tab in the upper left corner of the screen to view available career opportunities and submit your application.

Applications submitted through Work in Texas:

If you apply for an ERS position via Work in Texas https://www.workintexas.com/vosnet/Default.aspx, you will also need to complete a supplemental questions form. For more details, refer to the instructions in the email you receive from CAPPS Recruit.

Please contact a Human Resources representative if you need assistance or require accommodation during the application process.

Email: [email protected]         

Web: www.ers.texas.gov

Relay Texas TDD: (800) 735-2989

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/employees-retirement-system-of-texas/

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