Director of Talent & Performance

Schoolinks-4; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401K matching

Dental & Vision

Parental Leave

Gym stipend

Remote stipend

Annual offsite

Job summary

SchooLinks is seeking a Director of Talent & Performance to work directly with the CEO to design and implement people strategies across the organization. This role reports to the CEO and guides HR Operations while driving high performance.

You will own talent acquisition, performance management, and HR risk management, applying a top-grading framework and ensuring fiscal responsibility and clear accountability. Remote-work stipend and annual offsite are included.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in leading people organizations, ideally in enterprise software and SaaS
• Strong understanding of performance management and top grading philosophy
• Strong sense of fiscal responsibility and understand budget management

Responsibilities

• Design and implement company people strategies with the CEO
• Oversee talent acquisition and performance management using the 9-box framework
• Manage HR compliance and day-to-day people operations
• Coach leaders and manage underperformance
• Measure success by talent density and KPI alignment

Skills

Leadership

Performance management

Coaching

KPIs

Negotiation

Conflict management

Accountability

Urgency

Tools

9-box grid

Top grading

Amp It Up

Job description

Who We Are

SchooLinks is transforming the future of student success through innovative college and career readiness solutions. We operate with PACE at our core:

• Performance-Driven - We set ambitious goals, measure our progress, and relentlessly pursue excellence to deliver impactful results
• Above & Beyond - We push boundaries and surpass expectations, ensuring that we deliver exceptional value and transformative experiences
• Caring Candor - We foster an environment of radical candor and tough love, encouraging critical thinking and personal growth
• Effort & Ownership - We believe in the power of hard work and taking ownership, driving positive change through dedication and perseverance

We're building a championship team. That means high expectations, radical candor, and a relentless commitment to performance. Forget traditional HR. We're not looking for someone to manage compliance checklists and benefits enrollment. We need a Director of Talent & Performance who thinks like a coach, acts like a strategist, and drives results like a GM.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Talent & Performance works directly with the CEO to design and implement people strategies in the following priority areas and has 1 direct report (HR Operations Manager).

• Talent Acquisition - Rigorous hiring process to recruit A players
• Performance Management - Implement top grading framework (9 box talent grid) across the organization

The Director will also support and own these two functions

• HR compliance & HR risk management
• Day-to-day people operations

Required Mindset & Traits

• Operator first, HR second
• Coach up /manage out mindset
• Strong understanding of KPIs across all departments
• Have strong negotiation skills while maintaining diplomacy
• Comfortable with conflict and direct feedback
• Bias toward action and clarity
• Respected for judgment, not just empathy
• Energized by high standards and accountability
• Operates with urgency
  

Experience That Helps

• Experience implementing 9-box or similar talent frameworks
• Background in high-growth, high-expectation environments
• Track record of:
• Coaching leaders through tough people calls
• Managing out underperformance effectively
• Familiarity with Amp It Up or similar performance-driven philosophies

How Success Is Measured

• Ability to develop trusted relationships across all levels of the organization and is viewed as a credible partner by both employees and leadership
• Increased talent density across teams
• Clear differentiation between high, medium, and low performers
• Faster resolution of under performance
• Strong manager capability in feedback and coaching
• A culture where values are lived, not laminated

Bonus Points

• Experience working with founders or executive teams
• Has been part of a company that scaled rapidly
• Has personally made and stood behind difficult people decisions
  

Requirements:

• 5+ years experience in leading people organizations, ideally in enterprise software and SaaS
• Strong understanding of performance management and top grading philosophy
• Strong sense of fiscal responsibility and understand budget management

• 100% health care coverage for Employee

• 401K with company matching
• Dental & Vision
• Parental Leave
• Subsidized gym membership
• Remote work stipend
• Annual team offsite

A reasonable estimate of the on track earnings range for this position is $145,000 - $165,000 USD. This compensation range is specific to the United States and it incorporates many factors including but not limited to an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience and training; licensures, degrees, and certifications; specific geographic location; internal equity; internal pay ranges; and market data/range parameters.

SchooLinks is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.