Dakota Electric Association

Human Resources Director

Farmington, MN

$130,307-$208,656

About This Job

Lead with Purpose. Empower People. Strengthen Communities.

At Dakota Electric Association, we don’t just power homes—we empower people. We're a member-owned electric cooperative serving more than 115,000 members, and we're proud to be ranked among the top 25 largest electric distribution cooperatives in the nation.

Located in Farmington, MN, we offer more than just a job, we offer a mission-driven workplace where people come first. Our culture is rooted in service, teamwork, and a strong history of valuing employee contributions.

The Opportunity: HR Director

We’re looking for a visionary and people-focused HR Director to lead with purpose and drive real impact across our cooperative. In this high-impact role, you’ll partner with leadership to shape strategy, guide transformation, and create an outstanding employee experience.

As the HR Director, you will:

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Lead a team of experienced HR professionals

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Coach and support leaders across the organization

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Shape organizational design and change management strategies

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Drive talent acquisition, succession planning, and employee development

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Oversee compensation, benefits, compliance, and employee relations

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Champion a culture that values service, collaboration, and continuous improvement

This is your chance to help shape the future of our workforce—and the communities we serve.

Compensation & Benefits

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Target salary: $169,740

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Full range: $130,307 – $208,656 (based on experience and qualifications)

We also offer a robust and competitive benefits package, including:

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401(k) and Roth 401(k) with 6% employer contribution plus up to 4% match

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Medical, dental, and vision coverage

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HSA and FSA options

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Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance

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Short-term disability and other voluntary benefits

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Tuition reimbursement and wellness reimbursement

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Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer time, sick leave, and personal days

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

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A bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related discipline

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At least 12 years of progressive professional HR experience with at least 7 years leading and developing an experienced HR team

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Strong background in compensation, benefits, and performance management strategies and frameworks.

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Employee relations expertise with a proven ability to manage workplace issues, resolve conflicts, and foster a positive, inclusive and compliant work environment.

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Experience creating programs for employee development, including training, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications:

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Master's degree or HR certification like SHRM-SCP or SPHR

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Experience fostering collaborative union relationships and participating in collective bargaining negotiations.

Responsibilities:

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Partner with senior leaders to define the necessary HR plans required to successfully execute the business strategies and deliver results

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Provide inspiring leadership to the HR team with mentorship and direction to grow each individual into their full potential.

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Serve as a cultural leader who promotes a respectful, safe, inclusive, equitable, performance-driven, and member & community focused workplace environment.

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Collaborate with leaders on talent management and development initiatives to attract, develop and retain high-performing talent who love it here.

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Proactively coach leaders on performance management, employee development, and engagement.

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Build programs for employee development, including training, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities.

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Collaborate across the HR organization for fun and exciting continuous improvement of HR processes.

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Ensure compensation and benefits strategy with competitive programs that support talent acquisition and retention, and align with organizational goals and market conditions

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Serve as primary union contact for Labor Relations, fostering strong union relationships with proactive communication, working through union requests and leading collective bargaining efforts.

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Use HR metrics and analytics to evaluate program effectiveness, provide actionable insights, and drive continuous improvement.

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Ensure compliance and risk management programs related to HR, including staying ahead of legal and regulatory requirements.

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In addition to the responsibilities outlined, the employee may be asked to take on other tasks as assigned to support team and organizational objectives

Join Us

At Dakota Electric, you’ll be part of something bigger—powering homes, empowering people, and making a lasting impact. If you’re ready to lead with integrity and help build a brighter future, we want to hear from you.