Director of Human Resources - Hockaday

Position Description:
Having a dual supervisory structure, the Director of Human Resources will report to the Head of School and Chief Financial Officer. The Director of Human Resources is charged with administering day-to-day HR operations as well as formulating a clear and compelling vision for the future of Human Resources in a large school setting.

Essential Functions: Primary Responsibilities

• Advise and guide the school’s leadership team on policies and practices that support a culture of excellence that is legally sound.
• Propose and implement initiatives to enhance and strengthen the HR function at the school.
• Ensure that policies and practices are applied consistently across departments to ensure fair treatment of all colleagues.
• Provide timely updates to the Head of School and Chief Financial Officer regarding any and all HR and legal concerns.

HR Administration

• Ensure that colleagues are provided professional, courteous, and timely support and service.
• Research and recommend updates to the school’s employment practices and handbooks and develop written policies once adopted.
• Annually review, update, and publish the Faculty and Staff Handbook and ensure acknowledgment of receipt.
• Provide ongoing guidance, counsel and training to school leadership and supervisors on work performance issues, disciplinary procedures, policy interpretation and compliance.
• Make recommendations as needed for colleagues’ safety, welfare, wellness and health.
• In partnership with school leadership, manage the separation process for both voluntary and involuntary terminations, and conduct exit interviews.
• Supervise the Human Resources Manager and other personnel as instructed by the Head of School and/or Chief Financial Officer.
• Play an integral role in the performance review process of all faculty and staff.
• Supervise Payroll and Benefits including, but not limited to the 403(b) retirement plan, medical insurance and workers compensation.
• Oversee the hiring process for all positions.

 Employment Law and Compliance

• Ensure that employment practices comply with all laws and that all employees are informed about labor laws.
• Anticipate and advise leadership on legal developments, regulations, and professional standards applicable to the School.
• Conduct training and develop legal tools and resources for School leaders and the entire Hockaday workforce.
• Develop specific areas of legal expertise consistent with the needs and goals of The Hockaday School.
• Identify and implement risk avoidance and mitigation strategies.
• Conduct or facilitate school-wide compliance and risk management training including EEO, workplace harassment, boundary training, workplace safety and other areas, as needed.
• Oversee administration of retirement plans, ensuring regulatory and plan document compliance.
• Conduct periodic reviews of retirement plan investments and coordinate implementation of approved changes with the plan administrator.
• Oversee administration of FMLA, disability, and Workers’ Compensation.
• Ensure that all positions have accurately written job descriptions on file, including FLSA classification of jobs.
• Provide documentation required for annual financial and employee benefits audit.
• Assist the Chief Financial Officer with negotiating and managing School contracts.
• Ensure seamless coordination with Business Office operations.

 Record Keeping and Reporting

• Maintain secure and confidential documentation for all personnel and employment related transactions such as hires, performance reviews, and terminations.
• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of sick leave, personal days, and vacation.
• Ensure compliance with I-9 verification procedures, and school requirements for background checks and fingerprinting.
• Ensure collection and retention of all benefit and regulatory compliance paperwork.

 Qualifications/Experience:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience law/human resources experience
• A comprehensive understanding of personnel management and best practices in human resources
• Excellent leadership abilities, interpersonal and collaborative skills, speaking and writing skills, strong listening skills, organizational skills, and the ability to follow through
• A detailed thinker with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, flexibly, and thoughtfully in a fast-paced and ambitious environment with minimal supervision
• A leader with high character and impeccable integrity with the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and tact
• Technology skills as they relate to the position
• Solid understanding of all relevant labor laws, including federal, state and local labor, employment and wage and hour laws
• Experience with legal/human resources leadership in an educational organization preferred
• Must have the ability to work in a school environment through satisfactory completion of all legally required and School-required background and screening checks and verifications, including criminal and sex offender background checks.

Training: 

• Participate in all requisite School trainings prior to the start of the school, and throughout the School year.
• Attend required staff development and training sessions throughout the year
• Attend periodic in-service meetings
• Acknowledge receipt of the current Employee Handbook and are responsible for reviewing the contents and abiding by rules, policies and procedures stated in the Handbook or otherwise by the School
• Abide by Hockaday’s Code of Ethics and Conduct Commit to the ideals expressed in Hockaday’s Tenets of Staff Excellence

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Regularly works in standard office and climate
• Regularly uses close and distance vision, including working at a computer screen for extended periods of time
• Occasionally required to move around the office; works at a desk for extended periods of time
• Sometimes works in a stressful environment, effectively dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts with stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions
• Ability to occasionally work flexible hours to support the school
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with students, fellow staff and community members

About The Hockaday School:

The Hockaday School is an independent, college preparatory school for girls of strong potential and diverse backgrounds who may be expected to assume positions of responsibility and leadership in a rapidly changing world. With an enrollment of more than 1,100 students, The Hockaday School is the nation’s largest prekindergarten through grade 12 independent girls’ school. Ranked among the country’s finest college preparatory schools, it was founded over a century ago and continues today to build on its original Four Cornerstones: Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, and Athletics. Hockaday’s faculty are recognized as experienced leaders in their field and students in every grade benefit from outstanding faculty and access to unmatched resources. Families who choose Hockaday care deeply about providing their daughters with a comprehensive and rigorous education, both inside and outside the classroom. Hockaday’s student body reflects the diversity that is deeply valued by the School.

Limitations and Disclaimer: 

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. This job description reflects administration’s assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts administration’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. The Hockaday School is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy not to discriminate, and to comply with all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, or other applicable protected classification.

To view and apply: https://hockadaycareers.exponentats.com/job/947020/director-of-human-resources