Director of Human Resources

Overview

The Director of Human Resources provides the highest customer service standards and leverages their knowledge of best HR practices to support the alignment of the people team with the network's people strategy. Reporting to the Managing Director of HR, the Director of Human Resources is responsible for implementing all aspects of the human resources function. In addition, as a champion of Ascend's mission, culture, and values, this individual partners with the organization's staff to help navigate and resolve employee relations issues, ensuring compliance alongside programs and practices that develop best-in-class people.

Responsibilities

• Manage employee benefits programs and partner relationships, collaborating with payroll to ensure accuracy and a best-in-class employee experience
• Oversee the leave management process for all employees, ensuring excellent record keeping and strong communication with staff and supervisors
• Conduct investigations and counsel employees and supervisors regarding disciplinary and grievance procedures by providing information on personnel policies and regulations, recommending a plan of action, and resolving misunderstandings
• Coordinate with legal counsel on employee relations and compliance issues, including work authorizations
• Design and develop new HR processes to improve the efficiency of HR operations and administration and recommend new approaches/procedures to effect continual improvement
• Maintain HRIS to streamline people processes, working closely with payroll to ensure timely and accurate processing of people management transactions; create and provide HRIS training as required
• Oversee the leave management process for all employees, ensuring excellent record keeping and strong communication with staff and supervisors
• Review and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of existing HR processes; create reports and dashboards to highlight trends and recommend improvements or actions as appropriate, including administering and processing staff surveys
• Liaise with Network Operations to ensure authorizer requests, state reporting requirements, and all other HR compliance-related items are satisfied
• Use expertise on federal, state, and local laws to create and maintain internal and external facing HR policies, processes, and materials; develop and provide training to others as required
• Support the staff onboarding process by collaborating with the HR manager on new hires; host onboarding sessions as needed
• Proactively remain up-to-date on best HR practices; develop and provide training to staff as required
• Contribute to the overall success of the organization by performing other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Reporting structure
The Director of Human Resources reports directly to the managing director of human resources.

Why work with Ascend?
Empowering Students, Enriching Lives: Our deep commitment to high-quality instruction for all students and organization-wide priority of developing teachers in their first years of the profession sets us apart from the average school district.

Cultivating a Thriving Community: Our strong school culture fosters respect, motivation, and restorative practices. We believe in equipping students with critical thinking skills and fostering responsible independence - a true liberal arts education for success in college and life.

Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred
• History of progressive responsibility and a minimum of 5 years of relevant HR experience
• Strong technical understanding of HR functions, including but not limited to compensation, performance management, HCM management, employment law, and employee benefits
• Passionate about people
• Entrepreneurial mindset; committed to preserving a bold, can-do culture that sustains the organization's values of integrity, curiosity, community, empowerment, growth, daring, and excellence
• Unimpeachable personal credibility
• A steward of ethical behavior who actively supports a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace culture
• Ability to align with Ascend's educational and workplace philosophies
• A demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships and influence at all levels of the organization without direct authority
• Ability to analyze complex, sometimes ambiguous information and acquire data from multiple sources when solving problems
• Impeccable written, verbal, and presentation skills, with sharp attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines, navigating systems and an emerging organization of scale and complexity
• Strong organizational, project management, and process-building skills
• HR professional certification(s) preferred
• Experience working in a school-based setting preferred

Compensation

Initial salary offers for this position range from $110,000-120,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education.