Director of Human Resources

The Nueva School

Salary Range up to $180,000

San Mateo, California 

The Nueva School is an internationally recognized independent day school serving gifted learners since 1967, and is known for its distinctive inquiry-based interdisciplinary studies, project-based learning, and pioneering work in social-emotional learning and design thinking. With nearly 1000 students in grades PreK–12, the Nueva community instills a passion for lifelong learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, and develops the imaginative mind. With two transit-friendly campuses located in Hillsborough and San Mateo, their students come from six counties throughout the Bay Area.

Reporting to the Associate Head of School, The Director of Human Resources leads the strategic vision for HR practices across the School. Supported by a strong, accomplished and respected HR Manager, the Director of HR oversees all aspects of HR management, including recruitment, employment agreements, employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance. The Director of HR plays a key role in shaping a workplace culture that is inclusive, supportive, and focused on continuous improvement, ensuring that all HR processes reflect the values and mission of the School.

Position Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Employee Relations

• Serve as a resource to administrators and employees regarding all personnel matters, opportunities, and issues; provide on-going coaching and feedback for supervisors
• Collaborate with administration on assessing, refining, and maintaining a strong employee relations program, prioritizing wellness, professional development, performance recognition, and retention
• Communicate regularly with all employees regarding relevant updates to benefits and other HR-related issues (quarterly spotlight)
• Ensure legal and effective performance-issue process and documentation, including, when necessary, termination processes
• Conduct exit interviews for all employees ending their employment

Talent Management

• Assist colleagues as needed in sourcing, recruiting, interviewing, and selecting qualified candidates
• Oversee and support onboarding of new employees in all positions, including new hire orientations
• Train and support colleagues in the creation of job postings and descriptions, and the use of the applicant tracking system
• Assist with developing recruiting sources, including referrals, recruiters, online, internet, social media, events, etc.
• Track metrics associated with hiring and turnover – successful and unsuccessful outcomes
• Help assess, facilitate, and enhance professional development resources, programs, and practices as needed, in collaboration with the Director of Teaching and Learning

Compensation and Benefits

• Continue to drive a competitive compensation program and be aligned with salary matrix structures in place
• Help with annual employment renewal process for employees and contractors and recommend changes as appropriate
• Administer and maintain a desirable, cost effective, and competitive employee benefits program, including retirement plans, flexible spending accounts, and health and welfare plans
• Work with benefits advisors to develop the best options for employee benefits plans at each renewal period
• Supervise the development, implementation, updating, and administration of school safety policies and procedures, along with oversight of the workers compensation program
• Supervise current HR Manager and collaborate with Payroll Administrator in execution of duties

Recordkeeping, Reporting, Compliance, and Legal

• In collaboration with the Leadership team and legal counsel, maintain the employee handbook, and refine the school’s human resource policies and procedures for employees, contractors, and volunteers
• Help maintain required documentation and files (i.e. federal, state, accreditation, medical, background, training, etc.)
• Ensure compliance with school policies and procedures, as well as with local, state, and federal employment related laws and regulations
• Collaborate with the Leadership Team and department supervisors to develop and implement an employee training program for mandatory and recommended school training, such as for sexual harassment, Mandated reporter, CPR, general safety/first aid, etc.
• Oversee employee leaves of absence, including timely notices to employees and support for employees throughout leave, ensuring pay is coordinated with state benefits

Qualifications

• At least 10+ years of relevant HR experience, including leadership and management experience
• Bachelor’s degree required and advanced degree preferred in relevant field
• Education, specifically independent school experience preferred, but not required
• PHR/SPHR certifications preferred
• Expert knowledge of and experience with contemporary technologies in HR recruitment, relations, and management. Knowledge of Paycom is a plus
• Expert knowledge of human resource best practice principles, procedures, and practices, as well as relevant laws and guidelines
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion of people and program

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Characteristics

• Vision, creativity, flexibility, and capacity to execute the school’s mission and strategic plan
• Successful administrative experience and the proven ability to motivate others
• Relationship builder, and ability to develop and cultivate internal and external relationships and inspire trust and collaboration
• Creative problem-solver
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple responsibilities simultaneously and adapt to frequent or unexpected changes
• Detail-oriented with excellent follow-through execution skills
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
• A sense of humor
• Ability to meet the needs of a multi-generational workforce
• Demonstrated ability to distinguish and function effectively in multiple, sometimes conflicting roles and situations, including as a friend, colleague, supervisor, and leader
• Personable, positive, helpful personality; customer service mindset
• Maturity and excellent judgment
• Sensitivity, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range of $140,000 - $180,000. Excellent benefits including fully paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees, with employer contribution toward dependent coverage. 6 weeks of vacation/school breaks/personal days from first year of employment (in addition to sick leave), up to 7% retirement plan match, FSA with up to $2500 employer match, HSA with up to $2500 employer contribution, Dependent Care Account with up to $2500 employer match, and 50% tuition remission for children attending Nueva.

To Apply

This retained search is managed by Mary Law Executive Search, the Bay Area leader in the placement of private education and nonprofit senior Human Resources and Finance roles. Please send your resume to: 

Mary Law

mary@marylawexecutivesearch.com

925-785-6991

The Nueva School is an Equal Opportunity Employer – we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability or sex. We welcome applications from people of color and those with experience outside the education field.