Director of Human Resources - Employee Relations

About the position The Director of HR Employee Relations serves as the senior-most leader that will lead the design and execution of KIPP NorCal’s employee relations strategy, fostering a positive, inclusive, and legally compliant work environment, in alignment with our values of excellence, equity, courage, and compassion, for over 1100 staff members. This role will provide expert guidance on conflict resolution, employee counseling, and complex workplace issues, while also ensuring adherence to all applicable employment laws and policies. The Director will train and coach managers and school leaders on best practices in employee relations, lead high-level investigations, and build the systems, tools, and processes that strengthen the organization’s overall employee experience. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, the Director acts as a strategic advisor and decision-maker on matters including investigations, discipline, performance management, terminations, and conflict resolution. The Director directly manages three Associate Directors of Employee Relations and serves on the Total Employee Experience (TEX) leadership team, with responsibility for setting vision, standards, and accountability across all employee relations work. This role requires deep expertise in employee relations, sound judgment in high-stakes situations, and the ability to lead and influence senior leaders across a large, distributed organization.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the overall employee relations strategy for KIPP NorCal, including systems, standards, and escalation protocols.
• Serve as the final point of escalation for complex, sensitive, or high-visibility employee relations matters.
• Determine and own the approach to complex personnel issues, informed by legal guidance and organizational values.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret employee relations data to identify trends and inform recommendations to the Chief People Officer and senior leadership.
• Ensure consistent, legally sound, and values-aligned ER practices across school sites and the Regional Support Office (RSO).
• Serve as the primary decision-maker and advisor to managers, school leaders, and executives on employee relations matters.
• Provide expert guidance on performance management, disciplinary action, and corrective processes.
• Design and deliver training for managers and employees on employee relations topics, including workplace behavior, conflict resolution, and policy implementation.
• Develop manager capability through coaching and targeted professional learning.
• Maintain and continuously improve KIPP NorCal’s escalation and investigation protocols.
• Lead and oversee thorough investigations into allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other workplace misconduct, including:

Interviewing involved parties Reviewing documentation and evidence Drafting clear, well-supported investigation reports

• Maintain strict confidentiality and professionalism throughout all investigations.
• Develop, recommend, and oversee execution of resolutions in partnership with the Chief People Officer.
• Facilitate mediations and restorative conversations as appropriate.
• Serve as KIPP NorCal’s Title IX Coordinator and lead all related processes.
• Develop and maintain ER tools, protocols, and templates (e.g., investigations, interviews, performance improvement plans).
• Lead annual updates to the Staff Handbook and ensure policies remain current, compliant, and accessible.
• Partner with the TEX team and organizational leaders to update and implement policies as needed.
• Design and facilitate workshops related to performance cycles, policy updates, promotions, and other key people processes.
• Lead TEX team projects as assigned.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Stay current on legal changes and proactively update ER practices as needed.
• Lead and represent the organization in arbitration proceedings and other formal employment-related processes, as required.
• Directly manage three Associate Directors of Employee Relations.
• Set clear expectations for direct reports aligned to Professional Development Plans and TEX team goals.
• Coach and develop team members to ensure strong performance, consistency, and professional growth.
• Contribute to setting TEX team goals and aligning departmental priorities with organizational strategy.
• Support TEX team budget management and participate in hiring for TEX team roles.
• Model and reinforce a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
• Serve as an external representative of KIPP Northern California, as needed.
• Share employee relations and talent best practices across the national KIPP network.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Mission Oriented - Holds a deep belief in the brilliance of our students and their potential; and in the transformative power of education for liberation . Demonstrates our Regional Support Office values of excellence, equity, courage and compassion.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR or Employee Relations experience , including significant ownership of complex, high-risk employee relations matters (e.g., investigations, discipline, terminations, performance management, and compliance).
• Demonstrated experience leading employee relations at scale , supporting large, distributed organizations (1,000+ employees strongly preferred).
• Proven people management experience , including direct management of senior HR or Employee Relations leaders.
• Deep working knowledge of California employment law , including investigations, leaves, performance management, discipline, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment on sensitive matters and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders.
• Strong commitment to advancing racial equity and embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into employee relations practice.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice-to-haves

• Graduate degree (JD or comparable advanced degree strongly preferred).
• SHRM-SCP or other senior-level HR certification.
• Experience in TK–12 education, nonprofit, or other mission-driven organizations.
• Knowledge of California credentialing regulations.

Benefits

• KIPP Northern California is dedicated to you and your family's well-being!
• We offer a competitive salary as well as a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision benefits.

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