Director, Talent Management
Posted Date: Feb 21, 2025
Location: Camden, NJ, US, 08102
Company: American Water Works Company Inc
Requisition ID: 107743
Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.
People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.
We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $40 to $42 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.
American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Primary Role
The Director, Talent Management is a visionary and strategic-minded role that ensures American Water attracts, develops, and retains top talent to achieve our strategic goals. This role is responsible for leading and executing processes related to full cycle talent management including employee value proposition/ weCARE surveys, performance management, talent review and high potential identification, succession planning, leadership development, etc. This role is pivotal in shaping the company's talent landscape, fostering a culture of inclusion and continuous improvement, and ensuring the organization's long-term success through effective talent management.
Key Accountabilities
This role will oversee, manage, connect, and measure outcomes from the following talent processes aim to address and foster an environment where employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated to stay and contribute to the company's success.
Employee Experience: Develop strategies and processes to maintain a positive and inclusive work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation; manage our platform/systems for collecting and acting upon feedback to improve workplace satisfaction, employee experience, and culture.
Performance Management: Establish and refine performance evaluation frameworks, providing guidance and support to managers to optimize individual and team performance.
Talent Review and HiPo Identification: Recommend and leverage tools to drive discussions that will assist in identifying high potential employees, succession candidates, etc.
Succession Planning: Develop and implement strategies for developing internal talent, ensuring a robust pipeline of leaders for key positions, creating transparency between processes for clarity.
Leadership Development Programs: Leads the design and implementation of leadership development programs that align with American Water’s strategic goals, identifying the skills and competencies needed for effective leadership.
Development Goal Tracking: Manage customized development plans for leadership development program participants, including a mix of formal training, mentoring, coaching, and on-the-job learning experiences.
Career Pathing: Create structured career path frameworks that outline potential career trajectories for employees, helping employees understand the skills and experiences need to advance in the organization.
Workforce Planning Action Planning: Lead and implement talent development strategies to ensure employees have the necessary skills and competencies to meet future business goals.
Talent Analytics: Track and measure the effectiveness of talent management programs using key metrics.
Knowledge/Skills
Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement long-term talent strategies that align with organizational goals.
Leadership and Influence: Strong leadership skills to inspire and guide teams, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Change Management: Ability to manage and lead organizational change initiatives.
Cultural Awareness: Understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures to foster an inclusive workplace.
Performance Management: Skills in setting performance standards, conducting evaluations, and managing employee performance.
Communication: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, managing relationships with employees and key stakeholders.
Problem-Solving: Ability to identify issues, innovate solutions, and drive continuous improvement in talent strategies.
Technical: Familiarity with HR Information Systems (HRIS) and other HR technologies.
Experience/Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources management, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent.
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Proven relevant professional experience (8-10 years) in talent management, including a combination of experience in talent acquisition, performance, succession, inclusion, diversity & equity, leadership development, learning, and employee experience.
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Strong understanding of human resources, leadership skills, and a track record of successfully managing strategic initiatives.
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Expertise in designing and implementing enterprise-wide programs.
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Strong analytical skills to assess organizational needs and talent gaps.
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Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across departments and levels.
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Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and drive change initiatives seamlessly.
Travel Requirements
- Ability to travel when appropriate (e.g., visit offices across the AW footprint)
Certifications
- SHRM or SPHR Certification preferred
Work Environment
- Indoor office environment
- This position offers a 3:2 hybrid schedule, 3 days onsite and 2 days remote.
Competencies
Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing™
American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.
Nearest Major Market: Philadelphia