Human Resources Director

Chartwell School; Oceanside (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Chartwell School is seeking a Director of Human Resources to partner with school leadership in shaping and executing the HR strategy that aligns with our educational mission. The role combines strategic planning with hands-on administration of compliance, recruitment, employee relations, and benefits.

You will oversee DEIB-aligned talent processes, credentialing, and performance management, while guiding a lean HR team in a small independent school setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field.
• 10–15 years of progressive HR experience with at least 5 years in an HR managerial or directorial role.
• Knowledge of federal and state labor laws (California preferred), including PDL, CFRA, and wage/hour regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with discretion.
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms, web-based tools, and Microsoft Office / Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level HR leadership and strategic planning within a school environment.
• Oversee full-cycle recruitment for instructional, administrative, and support staff; design onboarding and offboarding experiences.
• Manage credential tracking, background clearances, TB clearances, and state education certifications.
• Lead employee relations, performance management, investigations, and growth plans.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal labor laws; manage leave programs and policy updates.

Skills

Communication

Staff development

Stakeholder management

Leadership

HR policy & strategy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business

Tools

HRIS platforms

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Title: Director of Human Resources

Position Type: Full-Time/Exempt

Reports To: Director of Finance

Salary: $120,000-$150,000/year

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, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.