Director of Human Resources - Employee Relations

Director of Human Resources - Employee Relations

Join to apply for the Director of Human Resources - Employee Relations role at KIPP Public Schools Northern California

PLEASE NOTE: A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.

The cover letter should be no longer than one page and include:

• Example(s) of successful navigation of complex talent/HR issues
• Example(s) of your commitment to racial equity
• Example(s) of how you coach and manage your teams

The Director of HR Employee Relations serves as the senior-most leader that will lead the design and execution of KIPP Nor Cal’s employee relations strategy, fostering a positive, inclusive, and legally compliant work environment, in alignment with our values of excellence, equity, courage, and compassion, for over 1100 staff members. This role will provide expert guidance on conflict resolution, employee counseling, and complex workplace issues, while also ensuring adherence to all applicable employment laws and policies.

The Director will train and coach managers and school leaders on best practices in employee relations, lead high-level investigations, and build the systems, tools, and processes that strengthen the organization’s overall employee experience.

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, the Director acts as a strategic advisor and decision-maker on matters including investigations, discipline, performance management, terminations, and conflict resolution. The Director directly manages three Associate Directors of Employee Relations and serves on the Total Employee Experience (TEX) leadership team, with responsibility for setting vision, standards, and accountability across all employee relations work.

This role requires deep expertise in employee relations, sound judgment in high-stakes situations, and the ability to lead and influence senior leaders across a large, distributed organization.

• Mission Oriented - Holds a deep belief in the brilliance of our students and their potential; and in the transformative power of education for liberation. Demonstrates our Regional Support Office values of excellence, equity, courage and compassion.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR or Employee Relations experience, including significant ownership of complex, high-risk employee relations matters (e.g., investigations, discipline, terminations, performance management, and compliance).
• Demonstrated experience leading employee relations at scale, supporting large, distributed organizations (1,000+ employees strongly preferred).
• Proven people management experience, including direct management of senior HR or Employee Relations leaders.
• Deep working knowledge of California employment law, including investigations, leaves, performance management, discipline, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment on sensitive matters and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders.
• Strong commitment to advancing racial equity and embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into employee relations practice.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Graduate degree (JD or comparable advanced degree strongly preferred).
• SHRM-SCP or other senior-level HR certification.
• Experience in TK–12 education, nonprofit, or other mission-driven organizations.
• Knowledge of California credentialing regulations.

• Own and lead the overall employee relations strategy for KIPP Nor Cal, including systems, standards, and escalation protocols.
• Serve as the final point of escalation for complex, sensitive, or high-visibility employee relations matters.
• Determine and own the approach to complex personnel issues, informed by legal guidance and organizational values.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret employee relations data to identify trends and inform recommendations to the Chief People Officer and senior leadership.
• Ensure consistent, legally sound, and…