Assistant Director of Human Resources and Talent

Assistant Director of Human Resources and Talent

OUR MISSION

Innovation Charter High School (“Innovation”) nurtures students to be academically successful, mature, emotionally healthy, and equipped to lead self-directed and fulfilling lives. We embrace all students and we empower them to adapt, excel, innovate and lead. By instilling our core values of collaboration, tolerance, respect, activism, safety, and innovation, students will graduate prepared for success in college and careers.

ABOUT INNOVATION

Innovation Charter High School opened in 2010 to meet the needs of underserved youth in East Harlem, Upper Manhattan, and the Bronx. Since its founding, Innovation students have applied what they learn in the classroom to the real world through project-based and experiential learning. These experiences are transformative and prepare them for life after graduation.

Today, Innovation’s 50+ instructional and student support staff serve around 400 students. Over 30% of our students have IEPs and over 90% are economically disadvantaged. We embrace all students, address their needs, and help them to realize their potential, through creative and engaging instruction with a college and career readiness focus. Innovation takes a restorative approach to discipline and focuses on building a collaborative school culture. We have developed close ties with the East Harlem community and with our co-located neighbor schools. We were the first charter school in New York City with a Career and Technical Education program in the culinary arts and the only charter school to participate in the NYC DoE’s Software Engineering Pilot. Innovation students participate in a wide variety of sports, clubs, and extracurricular programs including performing arts, National Honors Society, and many more.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Human Resources and Talent is responsible for managing all aspects of human resources and talent acquisition at Innovation, including compensation and payroll, performance management and employee engagement, benefits and total rewards, talent acquisition, and reporting and compliance. The Assistant Director collaborates closely with Innovation’s PEO, the Director of School Operations, and other school leaders. The Assistant Director’s work is also supported by independent contractors and consultants, when necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Compensation and Payroll (30%)

Collaborate with Innovation’s payroll vendor and Director of School Operations to ensure that bimonthly payroll is administered in a timely and accurate manner

Serve as primary owner of Innovation’s compensation system including administering the compensation-setting process for employees, creating a levelling guide and/or other resources, and conducting analyses or working with consultants to ensure that the school’s compensation is fair, equitable, and compelling to current and prospective employees

Create resources and materials that support employees’ understanding of Innovation’s compensation system; Support school leaders with communication to staff about compensation

Performance Management and Employee Engagement (20%)

Collaborate with school leaders and employment counsel to conduct any necessary investigations of misconduct or other employee issues

Advise team leaders on managing employee performance and collaborate with school leaders to administer an effective performance management system that includes appropriate support and accountability

Serve as a key thought partner to school leaders on effective, relevant professional learning for all employees

Serve as main point of contact for employee grievances or complaints and support team leaders with difficult employee conversations

Serve as primary owner of onboarding and offboarding for all Innovation staff roles

Benefits and Total Rewards (20%)

Collaborate with Innovation’s PEO to administer the healthcare plan, paid time off, and other essential benefits and perks provided to staff

Monitor the costs and benefits of all aspects of Innovation’s total rewards package for employees including staff satisfaction

Share information about Innovation’s total rewards package with employees and serve as the main point of contact for questions and issues, collaborating with Innovation’s PEO as appropriate

Talent Acquisition (20%)

Serve as primary owner of Innovation’s talent acquisition strategy, processes, and implementation

Collaborate with the Director of School Operations and other school leaders to conduct effective workforce planning based on the school’s needs, goals and priorities, and resources

Lead search processes to fill various staff vacancies as needed in collaboration with other Innovation teams

Manage independent contractor support during high-volume periods of hiring, especially for educator roles

Reporting and Compliance (10%)

Collaborate with Innovation’s PEO and Director of School Operations to develop timely, compliant reports for Innovation’s charter authorizer, New York State Department of Labor, and other relevant regulatory entities

Provide the school leadership and Board of Trustees with regular reports and analysis on a variety of human resources and talent acquisition issues

Collaborate with Innovation’s PEO to ensure that data infrastructure and processes are aligned to all necessary reporting and compliance needs and support timely, accurate, and efficient reporting

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

5+ years of experience in human resources generalist or other roles with relevant responsibilities is required

Experience with or exposure to all areas of human resources reflected above is required

Experience working in schools and/or nonprofit organizations is highly preferred

Experience serving as a strategic HR business partner to leaders and developing processes or systems to support efficient, effective implementation of the HR and talent function is highly preferred

Experience collaborating with a PEO is a plus

Skills & Knowledge

Strong judgment, capacity to maintain confidentiality, and ability to balance the needs of the employer and employees is required

Knowledge of HRIS platforms, ATS platforms, and other HR/talent technology and infrastructure is highly preferred

Working knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to human resources is highly preferred

Emotional intelligence, a human-centered approach to difficult conversations, and strong interpersonal skills are highly preferred

Strong project management and organizational skills and attention to detail

Demonstrated writing, communication, and presentation skills

Values & Mindset

Passion for and commitment to Innovation’s core values of collaboration, tolerance, respect, activism, safety, and innovation

Deeply held belief in the power of diversity and community; An assets-based orientation to students, families, community, and staff, and a commitment to a school environment that fosters and respects the voices and opinions of students

Deeply held belief in inclusive classrooms, in the value of high expectations, and in the idea that all learners deserve to have their needs met

Adaptability, a solution orientation, and a systematic approach to achieving results

Commitment to authentic collaboration and to the development and empowerment of leaders throughout the school community

Belief in the importance of holistic support for young people, including restorative practices to strengthen relationships, and a full-service community school approach to meet the wide-ranging needs of students and families

Other Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or other relevant field is required

SHRM or other relevant certifications are a plus

Authorization to work in the U.S. is required

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, 12-month position. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications and is in the range of $105,000 - $125,000 per year. Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with an employer matching contribution of up to 5%.

Innovation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.