Director 1, Employee Relations Compliance

Houston Independent School District • Houston, TX

78d • $130,000 - $155,000

About The Position

The Director I – Employee Relations (Compliance) provides strategic leadership and oversight to ensure the district’s adherence to all federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as HISD’s internal policies and regulations. This role develops, manages, and monitors employee relations compliance programs to promote consistency, equity, and accountability across all HR actions and employment practices. Operating within a matrixed organizational structure, the Director collaborates with Legal Services, HR leadership, and other district executives to ensure employment actions, board materials, and legal correspondence are accurate, compliant, and aligned with applicable contract law and board policy. The Director prepares personnel-related board agenda items and supports senior leadership in closed session personnel matters, ensuring documentation and recommendations are complete, legally sound, and error-free. The Director also establishes systems to monitor compliance, maintain audit-ready records, and analyze data to identify trends and risks. Through proactive training, communication, and process improvement, this role fosters a districtwide culture of fairness, transparency, and legal integrity in all employment practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required in one of the following areas: human resources, labor relations, business administration, organizational leadership, or education.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of employment laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Title VII, and SBEC reporting requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SAP (preferred), Oracle, and HR information systems.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including policy interpretation and training delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams in a large, complex organization.

Responsibilities

• Ensures all personnel-related board agenda items, board letters, and legal correspondence are prepared accurately, reviewed for legal sufficiency, and aligned with applicable contract law, board policy, and district standards.
• Partners with Legal Services and senior leadership to prepare for closed session personnel discussions, ensuring all materials, justifications, and supporting documentation are accurate, compliant, and submitted within established timelines.
• Reviews and interprets employment contracts, personnel agreements, and legal documents to ensure adherence to district policy, state law, and best legal practices.
• Leads and manages districtwide compliance operations related to employee relations, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local employment laws and HISD policies.
• Monitors and reviews employee relations actions to ensure consistency, equity, and adherence to district procedures and legal standards.
• Supervises the Compliance central office compliance analyst teams monitoring progress, and reviewing outcomes for quality, accuracy, and compliance.
• Operates within a matrixed organizational structure, overseeing compliance work across divisions through the unit structure.
• Oversees the grievance and appeal process, ensuring accurate documentation, adherence to established timelines, and compliance with policy requirements.
• Serves as a key liaison between Human Resources, Legal Services, and the Board Services team to ensure timelines, documentation standards, and communication protocols are met for all employee relations and compliance actions requiring board approval.
• Develops, implements, and maintains HR compliance policies and procedures to ensure consistent and legally sound employment practices.
• Establishes and maintains internal review and quality assurance processes to ensure accuracy and consistency in board materials, legal communications, and personnel recommendations.
• Provides consultation and technical guidance to principals, department heads, and HR partners regarding employee relations compliance, documentation requirements, and contract adherence.
• Prepares compliance reports, dashboards, and data summaries to identify trends, monitor compliance metrics, and recommend process improvements.
• Designs and facilitates training programs for HR and campus leaders on compliance, employee relations procedures, and employment law updates.
• Ensures proper recordkeeping and document retention in accordance with federal, state, and district requirements for employee relations actions and grievances.
• Collaborates with Legal Services and HR leadership to ensure employment actions, policies, and updates reflect current laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Continuously seeks opportunities for professional development and growth to enhance leadership skills, technical expertise, and knowledge of evolving employment law and compliance practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Salary Range: $130,000.00 – $155,000.00
• 12-month contract

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree