Director of Human Resources

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

Urban Dove Team Charter Schools is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Human Resources to lead and strengthen HR operations across our growing network of schools.

The Director will lead and oversee People Operations, Talent Acquisition, Benefits, employee relations, and HR compliance, while developing systems and practices that support organizational growth and expansion.

The ideal candidate brings experience leading HR within a large, multi-site organization or expanding school network, with a demonstrated ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on leadership.

This individual will serve as a trusted partner to network and school leadership, ensuring HR practices support employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, accountability, and Urban Dove's mission to energize, educate, and empower young people.

This hybrid leadership position offers flexibility for remote work while requiring a consistent, meaningful on-site presence across Urban Dove's schools and network office.

Core Responsibilities

1. Strategic HR Leadership & Organizational Growth

• Lead the development and implementation of HR strategies aligned with Urban Dove's organizational goals and expansion plans.
• Build scalable HR systems, policies, and processes that support a growing, multi-location organization.
• Partner with executive leadership on organizational planning, workforce development, succession planning, and staffing structures.
• Provide HR leadership and guidance as Urban Dove expands into new markets, including establishing HR practices that meet state and local requirements.
• Use HR data, workforce trends, and key performance indicators to inform decision-making and improve organizational effectiveness.

2. People Operations & Employee Relations

• Oversee day-to-day HR operations across all school locations and the network office.
• Provide guidance to school and network leaders on employee relations, performance management, progressive discipline, and workplace concerns.
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies, procedures, and employment practices across the organization.
• Oversee employee onboarding, offboarding, personnel records, HR systems, and related processes.
• Partner with school leaders to promote a positive, accountable, and supportive workplace culture.
• Manage complex employee relations matters, including investigations, accommodations, and employee separations.

3. Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Provide strategic oversight of recruitment and hiring across the network.
• Partner with school and network leadership to identify staffing needs and develop recruitment strategies.
• Strengthen recruitment pipelines to support existing schools and expansion into new markets.
• Oversee recruitment processes, candidate experience, hiring practices, and onboarding.
• Monitor recruitment metrics, including time-to-fill, retention, and hiring outcomes, to improve effectiveness.

4. Benefits, Compensation & HR Compliance

• Oversee employee benefits administration, including health insurance, retirement plans, leave programs, and annual open enrollment.
• Partner with Finance and benefits partners to evaluate benefit offerings, manage costs, and ensure effective administration.
• Provide oversight of compensation practices, salary structures, and related HR processes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations across all operating locations.
• Oversee HR policies, employee handbooks, personnel documentation, and required reporting.
• Identify and address HR compliance risks, partnering with legal counsel and external advisors as needed.

5. HR Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and manage the HR team across People Operations, Talent Acquisition, and Benefits.
• Establish clear expectations, performance goals, and accountability measures for HR staff.
• Support professional growth and succession planning within the HR department.
• Promote collaboration, consistency, and strong customer service across HR functions.
• Evaluate team structures and resources to ensure the department is positioned to support organizational growth.

6. Leadership Partnership & School Support

• Serve as a strategic HR partner to executive leadership and school leadership teams.
• Conduct regular check-ins with school and department leaders to identify HR needs, address concerns, and provide guidance.
• Support leaders in navigating complex personnel matters and strengthening management practices.
• Partner with School Support, Finance, and other network departments to align HR practices, staffing needs, employee development initiatives, and organizational priorities.
• Maintain a visible and accessible HR leadership presence across the network.

Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive human resources experience, including at least 5 years in an HR management or leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple HR functions, including Talent Acquisition, People Operations, employee relations, and Benefits.
• Experience supporting a large, multi-site organization or organizational expansion.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and employee relations practices.
• Experience leading and developing HR teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build and improve HR systems, processes, and organizational practices.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with executive leaders, school leaders, and employees at all levels.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification.
• Experience working within a charter school network, education organization, or nonprofit.
• Experience supporting organizational expansion across multiple states.
• Familiarity with New York employment laws and multi-state HR compliance.
• Experience implementing or improving HRIS, recruitment, and performance management systems.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and hands-on leader who can operate effectively in a growing organization.

They must demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to navigate complex HR matters while maintaining consistency and accountability.

The Director must also be comfortable working in a fast-paced school environment, balancing competing priorities, and supporting leaders across multiple locations.

WORK LOCATION & TRAVEL

This is a hybrid position offering flexibility for remote work while requiring a consistent and meaningful on-site presence across Urban Dove's New York school locations and network office.

As a senior leader, the individual is expected to be accessible and actively engaged with school and network leadership, including regular in-person meetings, school visits, and participation in key organizational activities.

The position also requires flexibility to be on-site as business needs arise, particularly when addressing employee relations matters, supporting school leadership, or responding to organizational priorities.

Travel between school locations and to new or expanding markets, including Memphis, will be required as needed.

COMPENSATION

Salary range to be determined based on experience, qualifications, and organizational budget.

$120K-$130K

OUR MISSION:

Urban Dove energizes, educates, and empowers young people through our network of UD Team Charter Schools serving over-age/under-credited high school students. UD Team's innovative model uses sports, teams, restorative practices and mentoring to create a culture of high expectations and shared responsibility. By instilling our core values of Teamwork, Leadership and Communication, we develop our students into confident young adults ready to reach their full potential.

OUR VISION:

Urban Dove envisions a world where all children receive the high-quality education and support they need and deserve. Through education, they will acquire the critical skills needed to develop into economically, socially, and emotionally independent adults who are empowered to create a more just and equitable society for future generations.

EEOC:

Urban Dove 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, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.