Director of People Operations and HR Systems

Organizational Overview

Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) North Carolina, is a network of eight tuition-free, college-preparatory public charter schools educating approximately 3,000 students in grades K-12 in Durham, Halifax, Northampton and Mecklenburg counties. At KIPP NC, we are committed to improving the life outcomes of North Carolina’s children through the delivery of culturally relevant curricula that are grounded in research, and clearing the paths that our students choose to follow by ensuring that they have the roadmaps and guideposts they need to arrive at success - however they define it.

KIPP North Carolina is also committed to building the pipeline of the state’s most talented and effective teachers and leaders through competitive compensation, integrated professional development lead by coaches and mentors, and resources they need to succeed, all rooted in core values that articulate our collectively designed organizational beliefs:

Pursue Excellence - 

We uphold high standards for our staff, and are committed to providing the necessary resources, training, mentorship and feedback to help each staff member not only meet, but exceed, expectations. We believe excellence is a habit and a sustained pursuit, not an endpoint.

Build Knowledge - 

We offer our educators robust school-based, regional and external professional development opportunities, before the start of and during the school year, designed to empower them with the latest teaching strategies and technology integration techniques. School Leaders and a statewide teacher development team provide professional coaching for school-based staff and foster collaborative learning, encouraging the exploration of effective teaching strategies and best practices.

Fight Injustice -

As a staff, we dismantle the white supremacy within our institution and deepen our own learning and understanding of anti-racism and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) through providing organization-wide regular workshops designed to holistically guide us through the redesign of our workplace culture through the lens of liberation. Additionally, we train and prepare our educators to deliver culturally responsive curricula that respect learners' cultures and prior experiences, and acknowledge and value the legitimacy of different cultures, not just the dominant culture of a society. 

Spark Joy - 

We believe in publicly and privately acknowledging and celebrating the outstanding contributions of our staff, and recognize exceptional individuals across the region. We also understand the importance of fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. We organize monthly school-based staff outings to provide an opportunity for our team to unwind, socialize, and engage in activities that promote camaraderie and a sense of community.

Rise Together - 

We create space for our region to assemble and celebrate all successes - a space in which we strengthen community by embracing each other’s unique identities, and honoring the contributions that will allow us to lift as we rise in the years ahead. We believe Team always beats Individual. 

The Director of People Operations and HR Systems will lead and optimize our people operations, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance within the organization. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional leadership abilities, extensive experience in HR operations, and a strong background in project management. As the Director of People Operations and HR Systems, you will play a critical role in overseeing the operational aspects of our Human Resources department, driving process improvements, and ensuring accountability and delivery of high-quality Employee Relations and People Operations services. This is a very hands-on role for someone who enjoys getting in the weeds of the day-to-day operations with your team and engaging in high level strategy work with cross functional leaders. This is an ideal opportunity for a dynamic and visionary leader with significant people management experience to play a critical role in building and shaping a premier K-12 charter management organization committed to supporting students to graduate college and succeed in school and life.

This role reports directly to the Chief Talent Officer.

Responsibilities

• Develop strong organizational relationships as a strategic and trusted HR Advisor 
• Oversee HR Operations: Manage all aspects of HR operations, including but not limited to employee onboarding, offboarding, benefits administration, HRIS management, compliance, policy development, and employee records management and employee relations.
• Streamline HR Processes: Identify opportunities to optimize HR processes and procedures to improve efficiency, accuracy, and employee experience. Implement best practices and automation where applicable to streamline workflows and reduce manual effort.
• HRIS Management and Implementation: Provide strategic guidance and oversight for HRIS system ensuring optimal functionality, data integrity, and system performance. Collaborate with cross functional teams to implement enhancements, upgrades, and integrations to meet HR operational needs.
• Compliance and Policy Development: Ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices follow local, state and national labor laws, regulations, and industry standards. Assist in the development of standardized HR policies and guidelines, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation.
• HR Metrics and Reporting: Develop and maintain HR metrics and analytics to assess the effectiveness of HR operations. Generate regular reports and executive score cards on key HR metrics, trends, and insights to support data-driven decision-making.
• Oversee execution of Employee Experience strategy.
• Act as an escalation point in the day-to-day on the People Operations team.
• Manage, develop, and provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to team.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to define long-term goals related especially to employee engagement and retention.
• Create and manage a dashboard of KPIs to assess performance against People Operations department goals.
• Manage relationships with benefits vendors, review plans and recommend changes to maintain cost effectiveness/competitiveness, and provide guidance on benefits administration.

• K-12 Education, Charter School Management and/or similar mission driven Non-Profit experience highly preferred.
• A deep commitment to the mission of KIPP NC and an unwavering belief in the potential of all our students.
• An unwavering commitment to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Extensive experience (10+ years) in Human Resources operations, with a focus on managing and optimizing Human Resources teams, processes and systems.
• Proven expertise in project management methodologies and tools, with a strong track record of successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget.
• In-depth technical knowledge and hands-on experience with HRIS systems, with the ability to configure and optimize system functionality.
• Demonstration of in-depth knowledge and expertise of both Microsoft Office tools and Google suite, especially excel/google sheets is required.  
• Strong understanding of Human Resources processes and practices, including talent management, employee engagement, compensation, benefits, and Human Resources compliance.
• Experience scaling operations and/or providing HR support to multi-site organizations.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Analytical mindset and strong problem-solving abilities, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines.
• Relevant certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) and Human Resource certifications (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP & SHRM-SCP) are highly desirable.
• An entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated success in building a program, department or organization.
• An understanding of the specific, unique characteristics of public charter schools, NC-specific knowledge a plus.
• Understanding and willingness to work in both rural and urban communities, including ability to travel up to five hours within North Carolina to visit schools across the state.
• Primarily remote but approximately 20% travel required as needed.
• Those living in North Carolina are preferred (Charlotte Metro, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Rocky Mount/Eastern North Carolina areas ideal). Open to talent from neighboring states within a 4-6 hour drive (Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee). Must be able to travel quarterly to schools across the state of North Carolina and be available for in-person meetings). Must have reliable transportation. 

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is based on years of experience, degree of education, and level of expertise: $85,000-$100,000/annually.

A competitive benefits package is offered.

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) at 100% no premium cost for the employee with a generous discount for dependents
• Enrollment in 403b retirement plan with an employer match - all employees are vested immediately
• KIPP NC technology equipment, including a laptop
• Generous paid time off:
  • 20+ days of combined PTO and sick leave each fiscal year
  • 15 paid holidays per year
  • Plus 10+ additional paid days off during Fall, Winter and Spring Breaks (perks of working for a school system)

Location: Those living in North Carolina are preferred (Charlotte Metro, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Rocky Mount/Eastern North Carolina areas ideal). Open to applicants from neighboring states within a 4-6 hour drive (Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee). Must be able to travel quarterly to schools across the state of North Carolina and be available for in-person meetings). Must have reliable transportation