Director of Human Resources - Employee Relations

KIPP Public Schools Northern California • Oakland, CA

12d • $136,000 - $164,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of HR Employee Relations serves as the senior-most leader that will lead the design and execution of KIPP NorCal’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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Employee Relations Strategy & Leadership
• Counseling, Advising, and Training
• Investigations, Conflict Resolution & Title IX
• Tools, Systems & Policy Development
• Compliance & Legal Matters
• Team Leadership & Management
• Additional Responsibilities

Benefits

• KIPP Northern California is dedicated to you and your family's well-being!
• We offer a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees