Associate Director, Employee Relations & HR

Kipp-Schools; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

KIPP NorCal, a nonprofit network of public charter schools, seeks an Associate Director of Human Resources, Employee Relations to lead complex employee relations matters for 1,100+ staff across regional offices and schools. You will drive investigations, policy development, and manager coaching to ensure equitable, legally compliant workplaces.

Reporting to the Director of HR, you will mentor school leaders, design processes, and oversee data-driven improvements while partnering with Talent,

Qualifications

• 4 or more years of progressive experience in Human Resources, Employee Relations, workplace investigations, or a closely related function.
• Strong knowledge of California and Federal employment law, workplace investigations, and performance management processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate recommendations clearly.

Responsibilities

• Owns assigned Employee Relations Key Results, designing implementation plans and monitoring progress to advance department priorities and improve the employee experience across schools and regional teams.
• Drives cross‑functional Employee Relations initiatives, aligning stakeholders, resources, and timelines to deliver measurable outcomes.
• Oversees Employee Relations data and reporting systems, analyzing case trends, outcomes, and other indicators to identify risks and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Aligns recommendations to organizational priorities by synthesizing complex personnel information and presenting clear options and trade‑offs to HR leadership.
• Owns complex workplace investigations involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, misconduct, and policy violations, ensuring fair, timely, thorough, and legally compliant processes.
• Oversees investigation processes from intake through findings, ensuring interviews, evidence review, documentation, and written reports support consistent and sound employment decisions.
• Drives Employee Relations case management and partners with the Director of Human Resources, Employee Relations on Title IX matters, ensuring accurate documentation, timely resolution, and adherence to established protocols.
• Designs and facilitates conflict resolution approaches, including restorative conversations and mediations, that address workplace concerns and strengthen productive working relationships.
• Coaches school leaders and managers through employee relations matters, performance management, documentation, and corrective action processes to strengthen manager judgment and effectiveness.
• Designs and delivers manager learning on workplace conduct, conflict resolution, employee performance, and policy implementation to build consistent management practices across KIPP NorCal.
• Aligns Employee Relations tools and manager resources to policies and established practices so leaders can navigate personnel matters consistently, equitably, and confidently.
• Coaches stakeholders through difficult conversations and complex personnel decisions with directness, empathy, and a commitment to equitable outcomes.
• Designs and maintains Employee Relations tools, investigation protocols, performance management processes, and documentation systems that improve consistency, quality, and scalability.
• Drives annual policy and handbook review processes in partnership with Talent, HR, Legal, and operational stakeholders to maintain alignment with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational practices.
• Oversees Employee Relations compliance monitoring, identifying patterns and emerging risks and developing recommendations for mitigation.
• Aligns Employee Relations policies, systems, and processes with cross‑functional partners to create a coherent and consistent employee experience across schools and regional teams.
• Coaches and develops direct reports through clear goals, regular feedback, and professional development that strengthen Employee Relations expertise and accountability for outcomes.

Skills

Employee relations

HR investigations

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

KIPP NorCal, a nonprofit network of public charter schools, seeks an Associate Director of Human Resources, Employee Relations to lead complex employee relations matters for 1,100+ staff across regional offices and schools. You will drive investigations, policy development, and manager coaching to ensure equitable, legally compliant workplaces.

Reporting to the Director of HR, you will mentor school leaders, design processes, and oversee data-driven improvements while partnering with Talent,