Director of Human Resources

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary HR leader and trusted advisor to school leadership on talent strategy, employee relations, compliance, performance management, and organizational culture.
• Develop and implement the school's human capital plan, covering workforce planning, recruitment, retention, engagement, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives.
• Direct full-cycle recruitment and staffing for instructional, administrative, and support roles across both campuses, ensuring a strong candidate experience and compliance with applicable laws.
• Design and continually improve onboarding and orientation programs to support new employee success, engagement, and retention.
• Partner with school leaders to provide coaching on employee relations, performance concerns, disciplinary actions, investigations, conflict resolution, and terminations.
• Lead workplace investigations involving misconduct, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, policy violations, and other personnel matters with timely, legally compliant resolutions.
• Develop and administer personnel policies, handbook provisions, and HR procedures in alignment with federal, state, and local laws, NYSED requirements, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Oversee leave administration, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, Workers' Compensation, New York Paid Family Leave, disability benefits, and other protected leaves.
• Manage compensation and benefits processes, including salary recommendations, benefits enrollment, open enrollment coordination, employee communications, and vendor relationships.
• Oversee HRIS and personnel records management to ensure accurate data, proper retention, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor employee certification, licensure, fingerprint clearance, and credentialing to ensure alignment with NYSED and other regulators.
• Develop and deliver training for managers and staff on performance management, employee relations, harassment prevention, compliance, workplace conduct, and leadership development.
• Collaborate with leadership to foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture that supports engagement and retention.
• Oversee performance management processes, including evaluations, improvement plans, corrective actions, and professional development initiatives.
• Coordinate exit interviews, analyze turnover trends, and create retention strategies based on workforce data and organizational needs.
• Prepare, analyze, and present HR metrics related to staffing, retention, compensation, diversity, absenteeism, compliance, and workforce trends to school leadership.
• Supervise the preparation and submission of required federal, state, city, charter, and employment-related reports and audits.
• Ensure organizational compliance with EEO, ADA, FMLA, OSHA, New York Labor Law, NYSED requirements, and mandatory trainings.
• Maintain high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, ethics, and integrity in all employee and organizational matters.
• Serve as the primary HR liaison with external legal counsel, benefits providers, auditors, consultants, and regulatory agencies as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the School's mission and strategic objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; a Master’s Degree in Human Resources is preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience.
• Minimum of two years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Experience advising senior leadership on employee relations, compliance, organizational development, and workforce planning.
• SHRM-CP or PHR certification highly desired.
• Prior experience in a nonprofit organization or charter school setting preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Analytical problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work autonomously and accept coaching as needed.

Technologies

• HRIS

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experiences and Characteristics

• An inspiring leader who continually pushes themselves and others to higher levels of achievement.
• Maintains an exceptionally high standard of detail and can guide the school and team to reflect that standard.
• Strongly engages with the school community, building relationships, driving engagement, and delivering solid operational results.
• Champions Elm’s belief that all members of the school community are active learners contributing to quality education.
• Resourceful problem-solver who proactively shares best practices to advance operational excellence.
• Growth mindset with a commitment to ongoing professional development.