Director, Human Resources

Grow HR strategy, modernization, and compliance at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, MA (onsite). This Director, Human Resources role leads Federal and non-Federal (Trust) hiring processes, advances HR operations through electronic systems and digital workflows, and supports organizational effectiveness across multiple sites. The position spans workforce planning, employee relations, HR analytics, and complex immigration and international program oversight, while prioritizing equitable, consistent HR practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement human resources strategies aligned with SAO’s mission and Smithsonian priorities.
• Advise the Director, COO, and senior leadership on workforce planning, personnel matters, and organizational initiatives.
• Provide regular reporting to SAO executive leadership on HR processes, metrics, and progress toward goals, including HR metrics and trends.
• Represent the Human Resources Department on SAO wide committees, working groups, and task forces focused on improving HR policies and practices.
• Represent SAO on Smithsonian committees, task forces, and study groups to improve HR policies and practices.
• Coach, model, and provide training to build collegial, collaborative teams and to establish and maintain collegial relationships across the organization.
• Lead program improvements across multiple sites while ensuring compliance and consistency.
• Lead HR modernization by introducing electronic systems and digital tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness and accessibility.
• Ensure compliance with federal law, Smithsonian policy, and SAO’s research mission by evaluating program effectiveness and developing internal procedures and guidance for equitable HR policy application across areas such as employee relations, performance management, training, and benefits.
• Oversee workload distribution and ensure HR system accuracy, consistent policy application, and functional database integrity across units.
• Direct recruitment, selection, and onboarding for Federal and non-Federal (Trust) positions across all SAO locations, including oversight of position classification and compensation analysis to support pay equity, salary structures, and adjustments.
• Provide oversight for promotions, transfers, reassignments, and commendations to ensure compliance.
• Partner with hiring managers to support smooth hiring and provide technical advice for staffing scientific and technical positions.
• Supervise HR staff overseeing performance management, professional development, and HR operations, and partner with the Smithsonian benefits office to deliver effective HR services.
• Deliver training, briefings, and communications on HR policies for staff and supervisors.
• Support professional development, onboarding, and retention across workforce categories, including administrative, management, technical, scientific, and education staff.
• Manage SAO’s visa program for employees, affiliates, and dependents, providing oversight for SAO’s immigration services.
• Serve as the Responsible Officer for the J-1 Visa Program, provide advice on complex permanent residency cases, and support O-1 applications for individuals with extraordinary ability.
• Develop and monitor equal opportunity practices and communicate EEO objectives to staff to ensure nondiscriminatory practices.
• Advise senior leadership and managers on employee relations, disciplinary actions, grievance procedures, and third-party reviews.
• Participate in reduction-in-force (RIF) planning and employee transition support, including counseling, severance, and outplacement services, and approve or recommend serious disciplinary actions, including removals.
• Manage visa processing for foreign national employees and affiliates, including H-1, J-1, O-1, TN-1, and permanent residency petitions.
• Serve as liaison with the Smithsonian Office of Global Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Labor, and Department of State; advise on visa eligibility, restrictions, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure timely visa renewals and monitor institutional compliance with federal regulations, including workplace safety standards and applicable employment regulations.
• Partner with supervisors and safety officers to identify and mitigate workplace risks.
• Oversee HR recordkeeping while ensuring confidentiality, data security, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead implementation and management of HR technology systems to improve service delivery, including integration of advanced HR platforms, employee self-service tools, and digital communications.
• Use workforce data and HR analytics to inform decision-making on staffing, retention, compensation, and organizational effectiveness.
• Engage with colleagues in the Smithsonian’s Office of General Counsel, Office of Human Resources, and Office of Global Affairs to support compliance with Federal laws, OPM policies, Smithsonian directives, and related procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• At least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 13 level in similar positions, including implementing HR policies and procedures across areas such as staffing, classification, and employee relations; applying federal position classification standards and guidance; and working knowledge of immigration law as it relates to employment and workforce management.
• Mastery of HR principles, concepts, and regulations, including deep knowledge across classification, staffing, employee relations, compensation, performance management, training, and HR systems.
• Expert knowledge of federal position classification, including application of OPM standards and guidance.
• In-depth understanding of, or ability to learn, research operations, with the ability to align HR policies and practices to support research goals.
• Advanced ability to assess and translate legislative changes into actionable HR strategies.
• Skill in coordinating multiple complex HR activities across geographically dispersed teams.
• Expert written and verbal communication skills to explain, advocate, implement policies, and resolve disputes constructively.
• Ability to stay abreast of employment and immigration law changes and apply them effectively to SAO programs.
• Demonstrated authority in building and managing collegial, collaborative teams, including coaching supervisors and providing institution-wide training; expertise in establishing and sustaining collegial relationships at all organizational levels.
• Expert knowledge of delegated examining procedures, principles, and merit system requirements to ensure compliance with Federal hiring laws and regulations, with ability to advise on competitive hiring practices.

Benefits

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Transit/Commuter Benefits
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Annual and Sick Leave
• Family Friendly Leave
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants
• Credit Union
• Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care)

Trust Fund positions

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, and trust fund employment does not lead to Federal status. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, and Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• Open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. is not required to apply.
• Meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Location: Cambridge, MA (onsite)

Salary: USD 142,452 - 185,193 per yearly

Series/Grade: 0201/14

Type of Position: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)

Division: Human Resource Department

Area of Consideration: Open to all eligible candidates

Opening Date: September 18, 2026

Closing Date: October 16, 2026

Additional Application Notes

• Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent by an organization specializing in interpretation of foreign educational credentials; documentation is the applicant’s responsibility.
• Any false statement in the application may result in rejection and may also result in termination after employment begins.
• Resumes should include descriptions of paid and non-paid work experience related to the job, starting and ending dates (month and year), and average number of hours worked per week.
• After the vacancy announcement closes, resume reviews will be compared against qualification and experience requirements; qualified candidates may be referred to the hiring manager.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations will be made case-by-case.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an Equal Opportunity Employer: http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/