As the Human Resources Director for the new Valencia County Hospital, you will be a founding member of the leadership team during a critical phase of construction and launch. Opening in Fall 2026, this 40,000-square-foot facility requires a visionary leader to build a workforce from the ground up—from initial staffing plans to full operational status. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer/Administrator, you will oversee the overall planning, organizing, and implementation of human resources functions. This role is uniquely positioned to shape the culture and operational standards of a new partnership between Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) and Lovelace Health System.
Principal Accountability
The Human Resources (HR) Director is responsible for the overall planning, organizing, implementing, and controlling of the human resources functions of Valencia County Hospital to promote the effective and efficient utilization of hospital personnel, ensuring legal compliance and implementation of the organization's mission and talent strategy.
The HR Director must identify, plan, coordinate, and implement strategic objectives to ensure organizational effectiveness. Key responsibilities include recruiting, employment, employee relations, and internal communications. This includes ensuring absolute compliance with all federal, state, and local government regulations. The HR Director develops HR practices and procedures to assist facility growth, oversees Employee Health and Education, and serves as a core member of the Administrative Team.
New Construction & Opening Responsibilities
- Plan and execute a comprehensive recruitment strategy to staff a new 15-bed inpatient unit and 12-bed Emergency Department.
- Establish HR administrative systems, including personnel file structures, applicant tracking, and benefits enrollment for the new staff.
- Recommend and implement HR practices that align the Lovelace brand with CHC’s operational standards.
- Serve as a core member of the Administrative Team.
New Mexico Compliance & Regulatory Oversight
The HR Director must ensure absolute compliance with all federal and New Mexico state regulations and all other employment laws as required, including:
- Enforce the New Mexico Human Rights Act (NMHRA), regarding protected classes including race, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and spousal affiliation.
- Adhere to New Mexico Wage Payment Timing Laws.
- Manage compliance with the New Mexico Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, including newly established contribution and notice requirements.
- Adhere to New Mexico's "Ban the Box" and salary history restrictions.
- Oversee mandatory FBI fingerprint-based background checks and state-required drug testing for healthcare providers.
- Monitor and implement all other employment laws as required by changing state or federal mandates.
General Duties and Responsibilities:
- Collaborates with senior leadership to understand the organization's goals and strategy related to staffing, recruiting, and retention.
- Provides and adheres to confidentiality of Hospital business.
- Partner with Administration and CHC to determine competitive compensation structures and HR policies.
- Oversee the employee benefits program, FMLA administration, and Workers’ Compensation claims.
- Prepares for and represents the organization in unemployment claims.
- Serve as an Employee Advocate, providing mediation and expertise to resolve personnel issues or grievances fairly and impartially.
- Assume responsibility for complying with federal, state and local government regulations.
- Manage HR administrative functions, including the maintenance of personnel files, applicant tracking, and turnover reporting.
- Develop and evaluate recruiting resources; manage the full lifecycle of employment from job postings and screening to counseling and terminations.
- Maintain accurate job descriptions and oversee the employee evaluation process.
- Refers qualified applicants to department managers for posted openings.
- Responsible for pre-employment background checks and physicals.
- Mediates conflicts between employees and management to resolve misunderstandings, facilitate communication to promote effective working relationships.
- Interacts with department directors on a wide range of staff performance issues.
- Obtains legal opinion when confronted with unusual, complex situations.
- Ensure the facility meets all applicable regulatory requirements, including CMS Conditions of Participation.
- Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field required.
- Recent experience in Human Resources in the hospital setting is preferred.
- Strong expertise in Title VII, Affirmative Action, ADA, and FMLA.
- Five years of progressively responsible management experience in hospital human resources.
- License/Certifications: HRCI (PHR/SPHR) or SHRM-(CP/SCP) highly preferred.
Required Skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple high-priority projects with extreme attention to detail.
- Must have leadership, management and organizational skills with the ability to resolve human resource problems quickly and effectively, and determine appropriate courses of action.
- High degree of emotional maturity and the ability to maintain perspective in difficult situations.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) in English.
- Proven experience in healthcare accreditation, licensure, and regulatory surveys.
- Considerable knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and practices; and state and federal laws.
- Strong interpersonal skills, personal work ethic and high degree of personal integrity.
- Must excel in personal interactions and ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and interactions with executives, directors, managers, supervisors, employees and the public.
As a full time employee, we offer a competitive salary, quality work environment and eligibility to participate in the company benefit programs. These benefits include: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance, health and dependent care spending accounts, 401(k) savings with match, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability coverage.
About Valencia County Hospital
Valencia County Hospital is a 15-bed hospital under construction located in Los Lunas, NM. Located near I-25 and Sandsage Road, this 40,000-square-foot facility will feature an emergency department, ORs, imaging services (CT, MRI), and a helipad to provide local care.
The hospital will be owned by Valencia County and operated by a joint venture comprising of CHC and Lovelace. Under the joint venture arrangement, CHC will be the manager with responsibility for day-to-day hospital operations. As part of Lovelace Health System, the hospital will reflect the Lovelace brand.
About Community Hospital Corporation – HELP WHERE HOSPITALS NEED IT
Community Hospital Corporation owns, manages and consults with hospitals through CHC Hospitals, CHC Consulting and CHC ContinueCARE with the purpose to collaborate with partners and bring innovative solutions to support the vibrancy and accessibility of community healthcare. Based in Plano, Texas, CHC provides the resources and experience community hospitals need to improve quality outcomes, patient satisfaction and financial performance. Visit chc.com.
CHC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.
