About KIPP Team and Family

KIPP TEAM & Family is our network office that includes support teams - such as Leadership Development, Recruitment, Advocacy, Facilities, Finance, HR and more - dedicated to empowering our schools and ensuring the success of KIPP students throughout New Jersey and Miami. Our schools are part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. The first KIPP New Jersey school opened in Newark in 2002 and since then our school network has expanded to educate 8,135 students in grades K-12. By 2025, KIPP New Jersey will provide a world-class education to over 10,300 students across fifteen schools in Newark and five in Camden.

In 2018, we grew our KIPP community in response to a need for high-quality school options for students in Greater Miami’s Urban Core communities. That led to the creation of KIPP Miami, which currently educates more than 1,000 students in four schools, with plans to reach 5,800 students by 2025. By offering highly effective educators with strong bonds to families, more time in school learning, services that support a variety of student needs, and a culture focused on achievement, our students in New Jersey and Miami are on the path to and through college, career, and choice-filled lives.

Here's what you should know:

The Director of Employee Relations oversees KIPP NJ and KIPP Miami’s employee relations programs, policies and procedures; designs and develops programs to promote employee satisfaction and improvements; implements human resource management strategies and systems; and provides guidance on risk management and compliance initiatives for our employees and stakeholders in Newark, Camden and Miami. The Director will lead a fast paced and dynamic team of Human Resource Managers who support our schools in Camden and Newark while providing direct HR support themselves to our KIPP Miami workforce.

Here's what you'll be doing:

Strategic Management and Planning

• Drive and direct leadership of ER strategies and initiatives through the development of strong employee communication channels and strategically aligned stakeholder relationships to support a broader people risk management agenda.
• Assess, recommend, and implement HR policies and practices as needed to effectively meet the needs of employees and stakeholders at KIPP NJ and KIPP Miami that promotes our staff culture and Heartbeat principles.
• Directly manage two Employee Relations Managers who support our Newark and Camden schools on all employee matters.
• Monitor and analyze employee relations data in order to improve HR systems, processes and structures to support hiring, development and retention.
• Help create and lead professional development for senior leadership and people managers on effective employee management practices.
• Develop and Co-Lead an engaging and informative New Staff Orientation Program for all new staff in New Jersey and Miami at the start of the new school year.
• Provide guidance and counsel on annual contract renewal process.

Employee Relations Case Management, Metrics and Reporting

• Understand and implement a practice for use of Navex case management system including roles and responsibilities for the ER Managers regarding intake to resolution that ensure effective and efficient response and resolution.
• Leverage metrics, tools, data and resources to help identify ER and organizational effectiveness trends, insights and proactive strategies that assist with increasing engagement and reducing risk (may include internal processes, identification and selection of vendors, etc).
• Conduct quarterly audits of the system and report out to leadership.

Investigations and Employee Relations Support

• Conduct Employee Relations investigations including gathering and analyzing facts, applying relevant laws, policies and past practice to reach conclusions and present findings for further action and proposed remediation.
• Prepare investigation summary reports, track investigations in case management system, and draft proposed disciplinary documentation as needed.
• Consult with managers and leadership teams to provide guidance to address specific employee performance concerns, including performance improvement plans and involuntary terminations processes and practices.
• Guide and train managers in overall performance management concepts in alignment with the organization’s philosophy, practices, and processes.

Legal Compliance

• Provide guidance to management and leadership teams in navigating various employee and labor relations related issues to minimize potential employment related risk and liabilities.
• Directly manage and oversee annual contract renewal process for all instructional and non-instructional school based staff in compliance with New Jersey and Florida law.
• Partner with relevant stakeholders to develop, conduct and facilitate a variety of Employee Relations trainings such as Performance Development and Evaluations, Management Essentials, Anti-Harassment/Discrimination and Workplace Behaviors.
• Ensure compliance with applicable State and Federal employment and labor laws and related wage and hour regulations.
• Collaborate with Legal and HR partners regarding communication and implementation of policies and programs (handbook, websites, etc.) ensuring compliance with applicable local employment laws and regulations.

Business Partnership

• Create broad partnerships among school based, regional and CMO teams to develop and implement practices that reflect consistent, fair and aligned approach.
• Collaborates cross-functionally across school based, regional and CMO teams to solve for complex employee relations issues.
• Provide support to school based, regional and CMO teams on leave management, reasonable accommodations, discipline issues, compensation and benefits.

• Apply expertise in data analysis and the presentation of data to see beyond the numbers and help inform, influence, support, and execute our talent decisions.
• Investigate ways to measure and visualize existing processes for greater efficiencies.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects that require inputs from cross-functional stakeholders while balancing impact on needs of organization.
• Leverage tools, such as Zen Desk and Wiki to drive analytics and enable staff to utilize self-service support on routine inquires.
• As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above essential duties and responsibilities.

Must Haves:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Progressive Human Resources experience managing a team of Human Resource professionals.
• PHR or SHRM CP Certification.

KNOWLEDGE

• Demonstrated knowledge of HR management, policies, best practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state and federal employment laws.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HRIS system(s) – preferably ADP Workforce Now

SKILLS

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Proficient in Excel and Google Docs.

ABILITIES

• Ability to adapt to the dynamic needs of the organization and employees.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple assignments at once.
• Ability to travel to school locations to meet with staff as needed.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive information with absolute confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to work across cultures with all levels of organization as well as with different functions.

Physical Requirements

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands:

• Prolonged periods of working at computer and sitting at desk.
• Travel to various school locations in Newark, Camden and Miami.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP NJ offers a full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care, retirement, an optional subsidized wireless plan through Verizon, a school laptop and transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into New Jersey from the New York City area.

KIPP New Jersey | KIPP Miami is an equal opportunity employer