Director of Human Resources

Holyoke Public Schools•Holyoke, MA

About The Position

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and trusted Human Resources leader who builds strong, authentic relationships across all levels of the organization. They exercise exceptional judgment, maintain the highest level of confidentiality, and approach sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and integrity. Resourceful and solutions-oriented, they thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where priorities shift quickly and no two days are the same. They are highly organized, adaptable, and calm under pressure, with the ability to balance competing demands while delivering outstanding service to employees and school leaders. This individual is equally comfortable managing day-to-day operations, solving complex personnel issues, and partnering with the Chief of Human Resources to continuously strengthen Human Resources systems, processes, and employee experiences.

Requirements

Exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build high-trust relationships across all levels of an organization.
Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information with sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make informed decisions using data and applicable policies.
Ability to interpret complex laws, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements and communicate them clearly to diverse audiences.
Demonstrated ability to coach and develop managers while fostering accountability and positive employee relations.
Resourceful, adaptable, and able to respond effectively to changing priorities and emerging organizational needs.
Commitment to providing exceptional customer service and creating efficient, responsive HR systems and processes.
Proficiency in Google Workspace, and human resources information systems.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Public Administration, Education, or related field strongly preferred
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, employee relations, or a directly related field
Working knowledge of employment law, collective bargaining environments, and public-sector HR practices preferred.
Possesses strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Chief of Human Resources, assist in implementing the Human Resources vision, goals, and annual work plan in alignment with district priorities.
Serve as the day-to-day operational leader of the Human Resources Department, ensuring timely, accurate, and responsive delivery of services to employees, applicants, school leaders, and district departments.
Serve as the second-in-command within the Human Resources Department and assume responsibility for departmental operations in the absence of the Chief of Human Resources.
Support the Chief of Human Resources in developing departmental goals, benchmarking Human Resources practices against comparable districts, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, compliance, and customer service.
Supports the Chief of Human Resources in fostering productive labor-management relationships by preparing for collective bargaining, assisting with contract administration and interpretation, collaborating with union representatives to resolve issues, monitoring compliance with collective bargaining agreements, and promoting proactive communication and partnership to address workforce concerns.
Coordinate and oversee the daily work of Human Resources staff, monitor workflow, establish priorities, and ensure timely completion of departmental responsibilities.
Supervise, coach, develop, and evaluate Human Resources staff and make recommendations regarding hiring, assignments, performance, discipline, and professional development.
Develop and coordinate Human Resources training for administrators, supervisors, and employees on employment practices, district procedures, performance management, licensure, and compliance.
Assist principals and supervisors with employee performance concerns, corrective action, improvement plans, investigations, and due process procedures.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state employment laws, DESE regulations, School Committee policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
Partner with the Chief of Human Resources and the Recruitment team to support districtwide workforce planning and staffing projections, providing operational expertise to inform hiring priorities and staffing decisions.
Serve as a thought partner in the development and continuous improvement of district onboarding processes to ensure new employees have a positive and consistent experience from hire through orientation and integration into the district.
Oversee the Human Resources administration of the hiring process following candidate selection, including employment offers, licensure verification, background checks, employment eligibility, contract preparation, and other pre-employment requirements.
Ensure employees hold appropriate Massachusetts licensure and credentials for their assigned positions and coordinate processes to address licensure deficiencies and support compliance with DESE requirements.
Plan and implement employment contract administration and ensure personnel actions are processed accurately and in accordance with collective bargaining agreements, School Committee policy, and district procedures.
Coordinate onboarding activities with the Recruitment Manager, Payroll, Benefits, Technology, and school leaders to ensure new employees receive timely information, required training, and access to district systems and resources.
Monitor employment transactions to ensure timely processing of appointments, transfers, promotions, changes in assignment, leaves, and separations.
Develop and maintain standardized employment procedures, forms, and documentation to promote consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency across the district.
Oversee the administration of salary placement for new hires, lane changes, step movement, stipends, and other compensation actions in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and district policies.
Assist with maintaining job descriptions, classification information, salary schedules, and compensation records.
Coordinate with Payroll and Finance to ensure accurate implementation of personnel transactions and negotiated compensation changes.
Oversee administration of employee leave programs and ensure compliance with applicable laws, collective bargaining agreements, and district procedures.
Serve as a resource to administrators and supervisors on employee relations matters, district policies, and personnel procedures.
Coordinate employee investigations, grievances, and disciplinary processes, ensuring timely documentation and adherence to applicable policies, collective bargaining agreements, and legal requirements.
Interpret Human Resources policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements for employees and administrators.
Coordinate employee communications related to Human Resources programs, policies, and employment matters.
Monitor employee retention, vacancies, turnover, and exit interview data and provide regular reports to the Chief of Human Resources.
Oversee the maintenance and distribution of employee handbooks, Human Resources procedures, and employment guidance documents.
Assist the Chief of Human Resources in developing and monitoring the departmental budget.
Monitor departmental expenditures and ensure Human Resources operations are conducted efficiently and within budget.
Recommend improvements to departmental processes, workflows, and service delivery based on operational data and benchmarking.
Oversee the maintenance, security, and confidentiality of personnel records in accordance with state and federal requirements.
Ensure required personnel reports, records, and documentation are completed accurately and submitted within established timelines.
Coordinate responses to employment-related records requests, audits, subpoenas, investigations, and public records requests in collaboration with district leadership.
Prepare reports, presentations, and data summaries related to Human Resources operations for the Chief of Human Resources, Superintendent, School Committee, and district leadership.
Attend School Committee meetings and other district meetings as assigned.
Monitor changes in employment law, DESE regulations, and Human Resources best practices and recommend operational improvements as appropriate.
Collect, analyze, and report Human Resources metrics related to staffing, recruitment, retention, licensure, vacancies, and compliance.
Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment in all personnel matters.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Human Resources.