Executive Director for Human Resources

Kenmore Tonawanda UFSD; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Benefits package

Job summary

Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda UFSD is seeking an Executive Director for Human Resources to lead personnel management, recruitment, and contract negotiations in collaboration with the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. The role drives policy development, staff evaluation, and data-driven HR initiatives across the district.

The position requires a master’s degree (JD preferred), 5+ years in labor negotiations or personnel administration, and proven leadership experience.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher, including Juris Doctor, and five years of responsible experience in labor negotiations, personnel administration, or other related fields.
• Previous successful leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists in negotiation, implementation and enforcement of provisions of collectively negotiated bargaining agreements.
• Supports school administrators in the management of matters related to personnel.
• Administers New York State Education and Civil Service Laws and Regulations as they apply to staff, including recruitment and selection processes for all positions.
• Maintains ongoing, collaborative discussions with union presidents to encourage positive interactions.
• Assists in the maintenance of accurate and current personnel records and databases; oversees employee benefits programs.
• Attends Board of Education meetings and prepares personnel reports as directed by the BOE and Superintendent.

Skills

Leadership experience

Labor negotiations experience

Personnel administration experience

Education

Master’s degree or higher including Juris Doctor

Job description

Start Date: On or about October 1, 2026

Minimum Qualifications

1. A Master’s degree or higher, including Juris Doctor, and five (5) years of responsible experience in labor negotiations, personnel administration, or other related fields;
2. Previous successful leadership experience preferred.

Salary & Benefits: Highly competitive compensation and benefits package. Starting base salary range $150,000-$160,000;commensurate with experience.

Reports to: Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources

Closing date for applications: September 18, 2026

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR HUMAN RESOURCES

Job Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:The Executive Director for Human Resources is responsible for working collaboratively with the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources in the area of personnel management, including but not limited to, the recruitment and selection process, orientation of personnel, the development of procedures and policies, contract negotiations, evaluation, employee discipline, maintenance of records including staffing, and activities to assist in the development and oversight of initiatives which will strengthen and expand the skill set of the Kenmore Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in the negotiation, implementation and enforcement of provisions of collectively negotiated bargaining agreements;
• Supports school administrators in the management of matters related to personnel;
• Administers New York State Education and Civil Service Laws and Regulations as they apply to certified and classified employees, including the development of recruitment and selection processes for all support staff positions;
• Maintains ongoing, collaborative discussions with union presidents to encourage positive interactions;
• Assists in the maintenance of accurate and current personnel records and databases;
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Human Resource Management

• Work collaboratively with the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources in the management and activities of the Department of Human Resources;
• Work closely with school-wide administration to carry out the vision and mission of the Ken-Ton School District;
• Possess expertise and has experience in the use of technology to manipulate and analyze data;
• Assist in the recommendation of all appointments, transfers, dismissals, and promotions to the Superintendent of Schools;
• Assist in the training andevaluationof a large and diverse workforce through the use of organizational and managerial best practices;
• Continuously evaluates and identifies HR software applications to insure organizational and departmental efficiency;
• Assumes responsibility for maintaining current records and databases for all personnel employed by the District,including the employee benefit programs;
• Assists in the planning, development and revision of personnel management policies for submission to the Board of Education;
• Completes and submits state and federal mandated reports as well as surveys or other reports as requested by the Board of Education or Superintendent;
• Assists in the development and updating of employee manuals;
• Coordinates with the New York State Teacher Retirement System and/or the New York State and Local Retirement System to answer questions related to employee retirement concerns;
• Assists with the oversight of the District's self-funded health insurance plans;
• Knowledge and understanding of New York State policies and regulations related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in school districts;
• Assists with the annual and ongoing budgeting process(es) related to Human Resources;
• Plans and leads training sessions for instructional and non-instructional administrators in the areas of contract management, Civil Service Rules and Regulations and/or legal updates as they impact the District;
• Responsible for District FOIL requests;
• Attends Board of Education meetings and prepares personnel reports as directed by the BOE and/or Superintendent.

Recruitment, Selection and Retention

• Assist in planning and direction of programs for the recruitment, selection, assignment and retention of the best qualified professional and support staff;
• Assists the assistant superintendent in coordinating staffing needs with all administrators;
• Assists with the planning and execution of recruitment, selection, and assignment of the best-qualified administrative, teaching, and classified personnel with a focus on developing a diverse staff;
• Manages posting and advertising of District positions;
• Provide leadership that promotes the ongoing development and success of the District’s staff;
• AdministersNew York State Education and Civil Service Laws and Regulations as they apply to certified and classified employees;
• Assists in the development and updating of job descriptions;
• Supports administrators in their work with teachers and other staff members, including professional development opportunities and offerings;
• Collaborates with the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources on staff recommendations and salary placement;
• Facilitates the development of agendas for Board of Education personnel appointments;
• Assists other administrators with vacancies, assignments and staff assignment notification;
• Acts as a liaison and works cooperatively with the County Personnel Office in applying personnel and Civil Services rules, and maintains related classification and salary plans as needed.

Personnel

• Knowledge and understanding of New York State Education Law and policy as they relate to school districts/buildings and personnel;
• Assists in the training of administrators and other personnel in managing employeediscipline, including progressive discipline and termination procedures;
• Plans and directs new employee orientation programs, professional development/training initiatives, and employee health/wellness programs;
• Supervises the maintenance of accurate Preferred Eligible Lists (PEL) for excess staff;
• Analyzes time and attendance issues and addresses these issues in collaboration with administrative staff members;
• Assists with the development and implementation of evaluation programs for all District employees;
• Organizes information regarding staff leaves, appointments, and other personnel issues for accurate tracking of personnel;
• Serves as the investigator for Title IX or sexual harassment complaints;
• Assists assistant superintendent and superintendent with staff discipline and discharge issues;
• Monitors compliance with EEOC and Human Rights requirements;
• Reviews and/or designs all employment forms and procedures used by the District, ensuring their compliance with state and federal statutes, policies, and regulations;
• Investigates matters pertaining to employee misconduct and develops recommendations for discipline or dismissal;
• Acts as a liaison with the District’s counsel on matters regarding all Human Resources issues;
• Reviews and monitors the evaluation programs for all non-instructional administrators in the areas of contract management, Civil Service Rules and Regulations, and/or legal updates as they impact the District.

Collective Bargaining/Contract Administration

• Maintains ongoing, collaborative discussions with union presidents to encourage positive interactions;
• Assists in the implementation and enforcement of provisions of collectively negotiated bargaining agreements;
• Recommends approval or denial of requested leaves in accordance with the contractual agreements;
• Assists in the preparation of and updates to seniority lists and communicates these lists to the union presidents;
• Advises administrative staff regarding compliance with the negotiated bargaining unit agreements;
• Assists all matters related to negotiation, including collective bargaining, with recognized bargaining units to arrive at mutually satisfactory agreements related to wages, salaries, and employee benefits for comparable positions in other school systems or businesses/industries where appropriate;
• Meets with employee negotiating teams as a spokesperson for the school district and maintains complete files on all matters pertaining to negotiations;
• Investigates, evaluates and recommends grievance settlements;
• Meets regularly with Department Heads and supervisors to review the application of contractual agreements;
• Performs such other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities as directed by the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee.

The Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda UFSD District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion or creed, sexual orientation, military status, genetic status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, criminal arrest or conviction record, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal non-discrimination laws.