The Select Board has appointed Thomas Howard as the town’s first-ever human resources director to lead a newly created department focused on centralized personnel management.
The unanimous hiring decision came last week based on the recommendation of Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer, capping a months-long search. Town Meeting approved the new department in May.
Kezer advocated for investing in a dedicated department and director to oversee the town’s largest expense area: employee salaries and benefits, representing $15 million or 18% of the $87.9 million fiscal 2023 budget.
Along with centralized expertise and policymaking, the department could yield cost savings through strategic management of insurance rates, contract negotiations and controlling employee benefit expenses, Kezer told the Current.
Marblehead previously lacked consolidated human resources infrastructure, with only two finance staffers handling basic payroll and benefits administration for separate departments.
“Finding the right human resources leader was crucial for optimizing our policies and operations covering our biggest costs,” Kezer told the Select Board when recommending Howard.
“Mr. Howard brings over 20 years in municipal human resources leadership to our town, and I’m fully confident in his ability to construct a sustainable, value-driving department.”
Most recently the human resources director for Andover Public Schools, Howard has also held senior personnel management positions with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office and the Caritas Christi Healthcare system.
Town Meeting budgeted $110,000 salary for the position.
“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to build something impactful here,” Howard said after his appointment. “I know we can craft cohesive human resources solutions tailored for Marblehead’s needs.”
He has already started on the job.
