Director of Human Resources

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Director of Human Resources

Saint Ann’s School, an independent school in Brooklyn Heights enrolling students in Preschool through High School, seeks a strategic and people-centered Human Resources professional as its next Director of Human Resources. The Director of Human Resources will lead the office of People and Organizational Development. This role reports to the Head of School and serves as a member of Core Administration and the Core Advisory group. The Director of Human Resources develops policy and directs and coordinates human resources activities, such as employment, compensation, employee relations, benefits, and employee services. The Director carries out this work in a way that advances the School’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

ABOUT SAINT ANN’S SCHOOL

Since its founding in 1965, Saint Ann’s has embraced a commitment to education for its own sake, oriented to the capacities of each individual student and free of the encumbrances of formal grading, prizes, and rankings. At the same time, we are unabashedly committed to excellence in all that we do. With a faculty and staff numbering close to 400, and approximately 1100 students, Saint Ann’s is among the largest and most selective independent schools in New York City. The lives of our graduates speak powerfully to the potential of an education based on these principles to ignite a love of learning and sustain creative energy in every field of endeavor. We accomplish this by bringing together talented teachers with creative and motivated students. Saint Ann’s is committed to centering anti-racism in the life of the school. Seeking to create a community rooted in trust and equity, we invite each other to take risks, pursue knowledge, and celebrate growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic HR Leadership:

• Serve as a strategic partner to the Head of School and Core Administration, aligning people & organizational culture initiatives with the School’s priorities and goals.
• Staff the Board of Trustees’ Risk Committee, present to the Board as needed on strategic HR matters.
• Promote a healthy and inclusive workplace culture grounded in the School’s mission.
• Provide guidance on HR/people and organizational culture matters, support and partner with leadership on school-wide priorities and future growth planning.
• Provide leadership and supervision in the day-to-day operation of the People and Organizational Development office. Create and maintain a high-performance environment characterized by positive leadership and strong team orientation. Strong emphasis on mentoring and developing the capabilities of the team.

Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution:

• Advise and partner with Head of School, Chief Financial Officer, Dean of Faculty, Director of Campus Facilities and Capital Management, and Director of Academic and Administrative Technology in matters related to employee relations, hiring and retention, conflict resolution, and HR Policy implementation and interpretation.
• Conduct or coordinate internal personnel-related investigations where appropriate and ensure outcomes are well documented and legally sound.
• Develop systems and internal communications that promote transparency, fairness, and consistency and support a connected and equitable experience for staff across locations and employment types.
• Provide facilitation, coaching, and tools for respectful communication to support staff and managers in navigating interpersonal or team-based challenges.
• Foster a workplace culture where difficult conversations can happen constructively, with psychological safety and shared accountability as the foundation.

Talent Acquisition, Engagement & Workforce Planning:

• In partnership with the Dean of Faculty and other senior administrators, develop and manage equitable talent acquisition strategies to recruit high-performing, mission-aligned educators and staff.
• Oversee full employment life-cycle from onboarding and orientation to off boarding processes.
• Conduct workforce planning in collaboration with leadership to support evolving instructional and operational needs.

Performance Development & Coaching:

• Design a tailored, performance development system to support the growth and development of faculty and staff.
• Oversee internal & external professional development planning and offerings in partnership with the Dean of Faculty and other members of School leadership.
• Provide individual and team coaching and support to managers on employee performance and development, feedback, and team development.
• Support departments throughout the recruitment cycle. Provide training for department heads and team leaders on various HR topics including interviewing skills, performance reviews, and employee coaching.

Compensation, Benefits & HR Operations:

• Oversee the design and administration of compensation and benefits programs in collaboration with the CFO.
• Ensure accuracy and confidentiality in HRIS, payroll coordination, and employee records.
• Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment and benefits regulations. As well as best practices in private schools.
• Coordinate salary changes and oversee correct FLSA classification of jobs. Prepare and maintain accurate job descriptions.

HR Administration:

• Provides leadership and supervision in the day-to-day operation of the human resources function.
• Supervises and supports a team of three: Associate, People & Organizational Development; Manager, People & Organizational Development; and Human Resources Manager and Benefits Administrator.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Education: BA, advanced degree or related certificates preferred
• SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification, professional International Coaching Federation (ICF) coaching certification, or mediation certification a +
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 5 years in an HR leadership role; experience in non-profit organizations preferred
• Demonstrated skill in using MS Office, especially Excel, and software required for all benefits management.

SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Strong knowledge of HR principles, employment law, and employment best practices
• Demonstrated ability to lead with integrity, discretion, and a collaborative mindset.
• Ability to develop, assess, and recommend changes to policies and procedures to build effectiveness and efficiency of the HR function.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Financial acumen and ability to partner with the CFO on budgeting and compensation strategy

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Customer-focused with a passion for providing exceptional service to employees
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams
• Strategic thinker with the ability to contribute to the school’s overall HR goals
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage deadlines effectively
• Flexible and adaptable in responding to changing school needs

COMPENSATION

This is a full time, exempt, administrative position with a competitive compensation package including benefits. Annualized salary range of $ 160,000 - $190,000, commensurate with education and experience.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resume to this link by November 7. Candidates who identify as members of historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Anticipated start date of January 15, 2026.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY

Saint Ann’s School hires employees of any race, color, religion, creed, gender, disability, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law, to all the rights privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to employees at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender (which includes a person’s actual or perceived sex, as well as gender identity and expression), age, marital status, disability, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, familial status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, unemployment status, caregiver status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law, in carrying on its educational activities or in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.