Director of Human Resources

Seaside, California, Job Title: Director of Human Resources Position Type: Full-Time/Exempt Reports To: Director of Finance Salary: $120,000-$150,000/year To apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@chartwell.org Position Summary The Director of Human Resources serves as a strategic partner to the Head of School, Director of Finance and Operations, and is a key member of the Leadership Team. This position is responsible for developing, leading, and executing the school’s overall human resources strategy in alignment with its educational mission. In a small independent school environment, the HR Director balances high-level strategic planning—such as culture building, talent development, and equity initiatives—with hands-on, day-to-day HR administration, including compliance, employee relations, salary and benefits administration, leave, performance evaluation and management. Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions 1. Executive Leadership & Strategic HR

Serve on the Leadership Team to contribute to school-wide strategic planning, organizational design, and policy development.

Partner with school leaders to foster an inclusive, supportive, and mission-driven workplace culture focused on staff retention and professional growth .

Advise the Head of School Director of Finance and Operations, and Board of Trustees on personnel trends, compensation benchmarks, regulatory changes, and risk management. Lead Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives within recruitment, hiring, and employee retention practices. Work with Business Office shared staff on HR related matters

2. Talent Acquisition, Onboarding & Credentials

Oversee full-cycle recruitment for instructional, administrative, and specialized support staff. Design and execute structured onboarding and offboarding experiences for all personnel. Manage state credential tracking, background clearances (Live Scan/fingerprinting), TB clearances, and mandatory educational certifications to maintain state compliance.

3. Employee Relations, Performance & Growth

Serve as a trusted advisor and confidant for staff and supervisors, mediating workplace conflicts and facilitating constructive dialogue. Partner with academic leaders to manage performance evaluation frameworks and employee growth plans. Conduct prompt, fair, and thorough workplace investigations when necessary, ensuring objective documentation and resolution.

4. Compliance, Policy & Leave Administration

Ensure strict compliance with all local, state, and federal labor laws (including FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, and Wage/Hour regulations). Maintain and update the Employee Handbook and personnel policies annually. Manage end-to-end medical and family leave programs (PDL, FMLA, CFRA, SDI, PFL, Workers’ Comp), ensuring clear communication with staff. Oversee confidential personnel files and state-mandated reporting requirements.

5. Benefits & Compensation

Oversee the annual open enrollment process and day-to-day administration of health, dental, vision, life, and retirement plans (e.g., 403b). Analyze compensation structures to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity across administrative and teaching roles. Partner with the Business Office to ensure accurate payroll processing, timekeeping audits, and benefit deductions.

Other duties may be assigned by the Director of Finance and Operations

Qualifications & Experience Required:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field. Experience: 10-15 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in an HR managerial or directorial role. Knowledge: Deep working knowledge of federal and state labor laws (California labor laws preferred, including PDL, CFRA, and wage/hour regulations). Communication: Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy and discretion. Technical Skills: Proficiency with HRIS platforms, web-based administrative tools, and Microsoft Office / Google Workspace suite.

Preferred:

Industry Experience: Experience in an independent school, non-profit organization, or educational setting. Certifications: SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or PHR/SPHR certification. Crediting & Compliance: Familiarity with state educational clearance standards (Live Scan, credentialing, student-safety compliance).

Key Competencies

Mission-Driven Mindset: Passion for supporting an educational environment dedicated to student success. Resourcefulness & Versatility: Comfortable switching between high-level strategy and tactical administrative duties in a lean team setting. Ethical Leadership: Absolute integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to confidentiality. Collaborative Spirit: Strong ability to build trust across faculty, administration, and support staff.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

Standard office environment with frequent sitting, walking across campus, and typing. Must pass a criminal background check (Live Scan) and provide valid TB clearance prior to employment.

Chartwell School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, p lacement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field. Experience: 10-15 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in an HR managerial or directorial role. Knowledge: Deep working knowledge of federal and state labor laws (California labor laws preferred, including PDL, CFRA, and wage/hour regulations). Communication: Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy and discretion. Technical Skills: Proficiency with HRIS platforms, web-based administrative tools, and Microsoft Office / Google Workspace suite.