Head of Human Resources

Connelly School of the Holy Child•Potomac, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Connelly School of the Holy Child, an independent Catholic school in Potomac, Maryland, seeks a strategic, collaborative, and experienced leader to serve as its next Head of Human Resources. Reporting to the Head of School and serving as a key member of the school’s leadership team, the Head of Human Resources will lead all aspects of human resources strategy and operations in support of the school’s mission, values, and community. This leader will provide thoughtful guidance on talent management, employee relations, benefits, compliance, organizational effectiveness, and HR administration while fostering a positive, professional, and mission-aligned employee experience. The Head of Human Resources will serve as the school’s senior HR leader and trusted advisor on people strategy, policies, and practices. This role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution in a dynamic school environment. The successful candidate will build strong relationships across campus, partner closely with school leadership, support managers and employees through complex personnel matters, and ensure that HR systems and practices are compliant, effective, and responsive to the needs of the community.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, organizational leadership, or a related field required; advanced degree and/or HR certification preferred.
Seven to ten years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including leadership responsibility across multiple HR functions.
Strong knowledge of employment laws, HR best practices, benefits administration, employee relations, and performance management.
Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day execution in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
Excellent judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential matters.
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across all levels of an organization.
Experience supervising HR staff or leading HR operations preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR systems; experience in an independent school or other mission-driven organization is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree and/or HR certification preferred.
Experience in an independent school or other mission-driven organization is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the school’s lead human resources professional and primary advisor on HR strategy, employee relations, compliance, and organizational effectiveness.
Partner with the Head of School and senior leadership to align HR practices with the school’s mission, strategic priorities, and operational needs.
Lead and continuously improve core HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, retention, performance management, compensation, benefits administration, employee leaves, and offboarding.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including policy development, documentation, and required reporting.
Provide expert guidance and support on employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, performance concerns, workplace investigations, accommodations, and leave administration.
Oversee benefits programs, vendor relationships, annual renewals, and employee communication related to total rewards.
Maintain and strengthen HR systems, records, and processes to support accuracy, consistency, confidentiality, and effective decision-making.
Support talent strategy and workforce planning, including recruitment processes for faculty and staff, role design, and retention initiatives.
Partner with business office and school leadership on payroll-related processes, annual reporting, and other administrative requirements as needed.
Promote a professional, inclusive, and mission-centered work environment in which faculty and staff feel supported, valued, and accountable.