Description

DCH Health System, an award-winning healthcare organization, is seeking their next Director of Employee Relations to join them for this exciting opportunity in Tuscaloosa, Alabama! 

The Position

• The Director of Employee Relations will provide strategic leadership for system-wide HR initiatives, with direct oversight of Employee Relations and HR Business Partner functions.
• Reporting to the VP of Human Resources, this leader will oversee approximately six FTEs and will play a key role in aligning human resources strategies with organizational goals, fostering a high-performing, engaged workforce, and supporting a culture of service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• This Director will lead the development and implementation of employee relations strategies, workforce planning initiatives, and engagement programs designed to enhance retention, recognition, and overall employee experience. They will serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, offering guidance on complex employee relations matters, organizational policies, and compliance requirements.
• This role will be responsible for driving HR programs and services that support leaders and employees across the organization, including engagement surveys, recognition initiatives, and performance management practices. The Director will proactively identify workforce needs and implement both innovative and best-practice solutions to address system-wide and departmental challenges.
• The Director will ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory standards, including labor laws and accreditation requirements such as The Joint Commission. They will oversee the development, interpretation, and implementation of HR policies and procedures to ensure consistency, fairness, and organizational alignment.
• This leader will oversee departmental operations, including budget development, resource allocation, and vendor management. They will guide strategic financial planning efforts while ensuring cost-effective service delivery and strong fiscal stewardship.
• The Director will build strong relationships across all levels of the organization, partnering with executives, managers, and employees to support effective communication, change management, and organizational initiatives. They will lead and develop a high-performing HR team, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
• A key focus for this role will be driving performance improvement, monitoring key metrics, and aligning departmental goals with broader organizational priorities. The Director will lead strategic initiatives and projects that enhance operational excellence and strengthen the overall impact of Human Resources.
• The ideal candidate is a dynamic, relationship-driven HR leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at navigating complex employee relations issues, and is passionate about building a positive, engaged workplace culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree is required; master’s degree is strongly preferred. 
• A minimum of five years of Human Resources leadership experience is required. 
• This position requires relocation to the local area and onsite presence.

The Organization

• As a local, community-owned, not-for-profit organization, the DCH Health System has been providing quality health care services for nearly 100 years to citizens in West Alabama through its three hospitals and 800+ acute patient care beds, 122 nursing home beds, and nearly 5,000 total employees.
• The mission of DCH Health System is to improve the health of its community and to provide high quality, compassionate care to all the residents of West Alabama, regardless of their ability to pay. 
• DCH Health System is committed to growing the next generation of health care providers through partnerships with area schools, including the University of Alabama. Additionally, many of the system’s employees and physicians volunteer their time and expertise throughout the community in an effort to positively impact the health of its citizens.
• The system’s acute care hospitals include DCH Regional Medical Center, the 583-bed flagship hospital; Northport Medical Center, a 204-bed community hospital; and Fayette Medical Center, a 61-bed rural hospital. Additionally, DCH Health System operates the Lewis and Faye Manderson Cancer Center, which is a certified member of the MD Anderson Cancer Network.

The Community 

• Home to the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa is known as one of the top places to live, offering the excitement of SEC athletics, exposure to major industries, and easy access to both Atlanta and the panhandle beaches.
• Tuscaloosa has approximately 182,000 residents, is located along the banks of the Black Warrior River and has appeared in Money magazine’s annual list of the country’s best places to live. The ranking is based on qualities most valued in a place to live as stated by Money magazine subscribers such as cost of living, housing affordability, education, quality of life, and the desirability of living in that area. 
• Tuscaloosa has some of the best ranked public and private schools with an A+ rating. 
• The area offers many amenities of a larger urban area yet maintains a small-town feel. It is renowned for folk art and the blues, but you can also find one of the great collections of American fine art and attend a symphony performance in a music hall with acoustics that rivals the best anywhere.

Please direct all inquiries, applications, and referrals to:

Jill Ettori

Executive Search Director

jill.ettori@amnhealthcare.com

781-591-3720