Make an Impact Where People and Public Service Come Together

The City of Leawood is seeking a collaborative, adaptable, and service-minded Human Resources & Employee Experience Advisor to join our Human Resources team.

This position is ideal for a Human Resources professional who enjoys variety, values relationships, and wants to contribute across multiple areas of Human Resources. The Advisor supports employees and supervisors throughout the employee lifecycle while helping strengthen the overall employee experience through responsive service, effective programs, clear communication, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

The Human Resources & Employee Experience Advisor works closely with City departments and others on the Human Resources team to provide practical guidance, administer Human Resources programs, and support initiatives that contribute to a positive and consistent employee experience, including:

• Providing guidance and support to supervisors and department leadership regarding employee relations, employee performance, workplace concerns, documentation, policy interpretation, and people-management practices; partnering with the Director of Human Resources on more complex matters.
• Leading assigned strategic and operational Human Resources projects from concept through implementation, including research, stakeholder engagement, project planning, communication, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Partnering with departments on recruitment and selection activities, including job postings, sourcing, applicant screening, interviews, candidate communication, selection support, and onboarding.
• Coordinating employee lifecycle activities, including onboarding, orientation, employee transitions, and offboarding, while identifying opportunities to improve the employee experience.
• Administering employee benefit programs, enrollment activities, wellness initiatives, and related employee education and communication.
• Administering and processing payroll activities, including employee pay changes, deductions, benefit elections, leave-related adjustments, retirement contributions, and other payroll transactions; reviewing information for accuracy and resolving discrepancies in coordination with Finance and other appropriate stakeholders.
• Maintaining accurate payroll and Human Resources system data; responding to employee and supervisor questions; and assisting with reporting, audits, year-end activities, and process improvements.
• Supporting the City's performance management and employee development programs, including employee and supervisor check-ins, goal setting, program communication, and evaluation.
• Supporting employee engagement, recognition, appreciation, communication, and organizational culture initiatives.
• Developing and reviewing workforce reports, surveys, and Human Resources metrics related to recruitment, retention, turnover, engagement, staffing, compensation, benefits, and performance.
• Partnering with departments to identify workforce needs, staffing challenges, critical positions, and opportunities to strengthen organizational capacity.
• Supporting organizational and process improvement initiatives, including job design, role clarity, organizational changes, implementation of new programs, and employee communication.
• Conducting compensation and classification research, reviewing job descriptions and position responsibilities, and assisting with recommendations regarding classification and compensation.
• Monitoring legislative, regulatory, and employment-practice developments and assisting with updates to Human Resources policies, procedures, programs, and employee resources.
• Identifying opportunities to improve Human Resources services and the employee experience through technology, automation, process improvements, workforce data, surveys, and employee feedback.
• Administering assigned Human Resources programs and practices consistently and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Participating in committees, cross-departmental initiatives, and special projects related to Human Resources, employee experience, and continuous improvement.

Who We're Looking For

The successful candidate will:

• Provide exceptional customer service and build positive, trusted working relationships.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with employees, supervisors, and leaders throughout the organization.
• Serve as a thoughtful and practical advisor who listens, asks good questions, and helps identify workable solutions.
• Use sound judgment to evaluate situations, identify options, and determine appropriate next steps.
• Be comfortable working through situations where there may not be a single obvious solution.
• Exercise initiative and independent judgment while recognizing when collaboration or escalation is appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information.
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Balance attention to detail with an understanding of broader organizational and employee needs.
• Use Human Resources technology, data, and employee feedback to support decisions and improve programs and processes.
• Bring curiosity, ideas, and a collaborative, problem-solving mindset to the Human Resources team.
• Adapt to changing priorities and approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three years of progressively responsible professional Human Resources experience involving multiple Human Resources functional areas such as employee relations, recruitment, performance management, compensation, payroll, benefits, organizational development, or workforce planning.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive employee and payroll information.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment while recognizing when matters should be escalated or addressed collaboratively with the City's Director of Human Resources.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using, or the ability to quickly learn, Human Resources information systems, payroll systems, and related technology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a generalist or multi-functional Human Resources role involving areas such as recruitment, benefits, payroll, performance management, employee relations, compensation, Human Resources information systems, or employee engagement.
• Experience in local government, public sector Human Resources, or another complex organization.
• PSHRA-CP, PSHRA-SCP, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or another recognized professional Human Resources certification; or interest in pursuing professional certification.
• Experience using employee data, surveys, analytics, or technology to improve Human Resources programs and decision-making.

Why Leawood?

Our work is guided by five organizational values:

• Service — We seek opportunities to improve, evolve, and provide exceptional service.
• Innovation — We remain curious, explore new approaches, and look for better ways to serve.
• Culture of Support — We create an environment where employees feel supported, included, and empowered to succeed.
• Teamwork — We work together across departments with a One Leawood mindset.
• Transparency — We communicate openly, share information, provide meaningful feedback, and build trust.

In Human Resources, these values influence not only what we do, but how we do it.

What You Can Expect

This position provides the opportunity to work across many areas of Human Resources while helping shape a positive and consistent employee experience. You'll collaborate with employees and leaders throughout the organization, provide practical guidance, manage meaningful programs and projects, use data and feedback to improve services, and contribute ideas that help the Human Resources team continue to evolve.

Join us and help create an exceptional employee experience for the people who serve Leawood.