Human Resources Director

OverviewThis HR Director role administers the Human Resources function in a private k-12 school setting. The ideal candidate will focus on day-to-day operations, policy execution, and maintaining strong internal controls and confidentiality. You will oversee payroll, manage daily transactions, and handle special projects that evolve with the school’s needs. With one direct report, you will provide hands-on leadership, fostering a positive, collaborative team environment while maintaining discretion in all employee matters.---Responsibilities· Oversee daily operations of the Human Resources department, ensuring effective implementation of HR programs and fostering a service-oriented environment.· Ensure compliance with all relevant personnel laws and regulations.· Monitor emerging legal and regulatory issues: a) Communicate requirements and provide alternative solutions b) Ensure proactive response to new legal requirements.· Review existing HR policies, practices, and programs, recommending improvements and updates.· Maintain accurate employee personnel files.· Employee Handbooks: a) Manage annual updates to existing handbooks i) Identify and communicate necessary changes ii) Suggest additional recommended updates b) Develop new handbooks as needed c) Ensure all employees annually receive and acknowledge the handbooks.· Coordinate the preparation and maintenance of job descriptions, including periodic audits to ensure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and proper employee classification.· Manage the employee onboarding and separation process, including both voluntary and involuntary terminations.---Benefits Administration· Manage and Coordinate Benefit Programs: Oversee employee benefits, including Health, Dental, Section 125, 403(b) Retirement Plan, STD, LTD, Life/AD&D, COBRA, FMLA, etc. This includes all employee communication, problem-solving, and claims resolution. · Manage annual open enrollment for Health, Dental, and other benefit plans; prepare and update employee presentations. · Act as a liaison between Benefits Consultants/Agencies and Faculty/Staff. · Reconcile and approve benefit invoices.· Ensure Compliance: Ensure benefit plan designs and school practices comply with applicable laws and regulations (HIPAA, ERISA, IRS guidelines, etc.).· Administer Benefits: Handle employee benefits enrollment, changes, and terminations.· Manage Flex Plans: Ensure proper funding of flexible benefit plans, including FSA, HSA, Dependent Care, etc.· Oversee Service Providers: a) Evaluate and monitor the performance of flex plan providers. b) Conduct periodic competitive bidding for various benefit plans. c) Update 403(b) Plan Prototype as needed.· Administer Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment Claims: File and manage claims, attend hearings, and ensure compliance.· Distribute Summary Plan Descriptions: Ensure timely and accurate distribution of Summary Plan Descriptions for plan changes and legal compliance.· Research and Implement New Benefits: Investigate and introduce new supplemental/voluntary benefit programs as appropriate and approved.· Monitor PTO Utilization: Review PTO usage and proactively communicate with managers regarding non-exempt staff utilization.· Monitor 403(b) Eligibility: Track 403(b) eligibility.---Onboarding & Support· Oversee and ensure proper training for all staff involved in the onboarding process for both faculty and staff.· Support the Assistant Head of School with faculty and staff onboarding and provide guidance for summer program staffing, as needed. Support the Horizons program and Athletics onboarding.· Manage H1-B Visa applications and renewals in collaboration with labor counsel.· Develop and maintain the New Hire "Welcome Kit" and conduct onboarding sessions for new hires, including tax/benefit elections.· Administer and process new hire documentation (tax forms, benefits, etc.) and ensure completion.· Perform background checks for all new hires through an established service.· Coordinate with departments to ensure necessary resources are set up for new hires (e.g., keys, email accounts, etc.).· Ensure that all required training is completed, including Sexual Harassment Prevention training.---Employee Contracts· Conduct periodic reviews of employment contracts and earnings statements in collaboration with labor counsel to ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.· Assist in the development and customization of various contract forms, earnings statements, and cover letters as needed.· Using data provided by the CFO/COO, prepare and generate contracts, earnings statements, and cover letters for new hires and ongoing employees through mail merge processes.· Distribute contracts to employees and track their return status, providing regular updates.· Ensure accurate classification of employees (e.g., exempt vs. non-exempt) and maintain consistent treatment across all school employment classifications and contract types.---Performance Management· Coordinate Performance Management Processes for Staff.· Distribute evaluation forms to supervisors in a timely manner.· Advise supervisors on compliance with applicable policies.· Review performance management forms for signatures and completeness.· Evaluate and Recommend Process Improvements.· Assess the performance management process and suggest improvements.---Regulatory Compliance· Ensure Compliance with Laws and Regulation.· Stay up to date with federal and state statutes/laws, including FMLA, ADA, Sexual Harassment, OSHA, Worker’s Compensation, and ERISA (including initial and ongoing training).· Tax Compliance:· Review Tax Form 941 and CT State Taxes prepared by Paylocity.· Collaborate with the Controller to ensure the accurate and timely filing of Form 990, 5500, and other required reports.· EEOC Reporting and OSHA:· Complete EEOC and OSHA reporting as required.· State Unemployment Insurance:· Complete quarterly and annual State Unemployment Insurance reports.· Administer Drug and Alcohol Testing:· Oversee the required drug and alcohol testing program for drivers (working without an outside lab).· Document Retention Compliance:· Ensure HR and payroll records comply with school’s document retention policy.---Audit· Annual Audit Preparation:· Prepare schedules and work papers for annual audits (school and 403b plan) and Form 990.---Surveys and Peer Reporting· Survey & Report Preparation:· Assist in preparing payroll and benefits data for periodic surveys and reports for trade organizations (e.g., NAIS, CAIS, NBOA, Fairchester).· Assist with the preparation of information for the Board Metrics report.· Help evaluate school compensation and benefits relative to peer schools.· Prepare additional data as requested.---Payroll· Manage Payroll Processing.· Co-manage and oversee payroll processing functions.· Backup Payroll Processing.· Serve as backup for payroll processing in the absence of the primary payroll person.· Confirm Payroll Payments.· Verify the proper transfer of all payroll compensation and withheld amounts.· Ensure Stipend and 403(b) Contributions.· Confirm accurate payment of moving stipends and other stipends, and ensure proper processing of 403(b) contributions.