Director, Employee Relations -RI

About Achievement First

Achievement First (AF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting 39 public charter schools across New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. For more than 25 years, AF has been recognized as one of the top tuition-free public charter school networks in the country. We are committed to creating schools of academic excellence within nurturing environments — schools that prepare students to be college-ready and to pursue and succeed in whatever paths they choose in life.

The majority of AF students are Black and Latinx children from low-income families, many of whom will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Across our network, we employ more than 2,200 staff members — 64% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color — who collectively educate nearly 15,000 students in Brooklyn and Queens, NY; New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, CT; and Providence and Cranston, RI.

Our mission is to prepare every student to excel in college, career, and life; deepen their understanding of self and community; and lead lives of purpose. We believe in the limitless potential within our students and their power to shape a more just society. That belief drives our deep commitment to student achievement: we aim to set a high bar for learning and create warm, demanding classrooms where rigorous instruction is paired with the care, encouragement, and consistency every student deserves.

Each of our schools is a vibrant learning community shaped by its local context yet guided by a shared set of values: leading for racial equity, striving for excellence, embracing challenge, caring for the whole person, choosing joy, and going further together. These values guide our work across the organization and reflect both who we are and who we aspire to be.

At Achievement First, we are strengthened by being one network — united by shared values, a common mission, and a deep belief in what’s possible for our students. At the same time, we know that education is a deeply local endeavor, which is why we work in close partnership with families and local communities to ensure each school has the resources and support it needs to thrive.

Together, we’re building a future where every student receives an excellent education grounded in the strengths of their community, and where the impact of our collective work endures for generations.

We are looking for a strategic and dynamic Director, Employee Relations to join our Talent Operations team.

Your Impact

Achievement First’s Talent Operations team ensures strong talent practices are effectively and consistently implemented across the Achievement First network as the organization adapts to scale. The team also seeks to create a world-class employee experience such that all employees feel valued and want to stay at Achievement First to relentlessly support student success. 

We believe that compassionate, consistent and fairly implemented talent practices are critical to our success at building a network of high performing schools that can close the achievement gap at scale. Reporting to the Managing Director, Employee Relations & HR Policy, the Director,  Employee Relations will play a critical role in helping to promote our positive workplace. The team accomplishes this by: 

• Overseeing comprehensive performance evaluation systems ​
• Offering competitive total rewards package
• Fueling people leadership practices with strong talent data, clear guidance,​ and efficient processes
• Creating avenues for employee input and feedback through various talent management surveys

Reporting directly to the Managing. Director, Employee Relations & HR Policy, you will be responsible for:

• Providing expert knowledge and guidance on employment relations functions for your portfolio of schools, executing on investigations, facilitating staff trainings, and other talent management issues as needed
• Advising schools in leading conflict resolution, mediation facilitation, and overall performance management support including but not limited to warnings, performance improvement plans, and other employee communication 
• Building capacity for the Talent Operations team through ongoing employee relations data review and continuous improvement of all HR functional areas
• Managing HR administration, including but not limited to employment verifications, vaccination tracking, case management and accommodation requests 
• Overseeing cyclical talent activities including our renewal process, open enrollment, and other special assignments as needed
• Hold weekly office hours onsite at schools within Rhode Island portfolio to foster positive employee relationships, build trust with school leaders and staff, and ensure early identification and resolution of workplace concerns.
• Provide remote employee relations support to other regions, as needed, with a focus on conducting workplace investigations and managing requests for workplace accommodations.

Skills You’ll Have

All candidates for this position will foster a culture of entrepreneurialism, innovation, and project management to ensure our Talent Operations team, like our schools, are setting a high bar in all areas and pursuing it relentlessly. All candidates will have a Bachelor's degree and at least 10 years of progressive experience in employee relations and/or human resources. Prior experience facilitating training and conducting HR investigations as well as a Master’s degree is preferred.  

An ideal candidate will demonstrate skills in the following areas:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated social intelligence, tact, empathy, respect, and patience
• Confident in interacting with and influencing individuals at all levels within the organization 
• Ability to thrive in a fast‐paced, entrepreneurial environment; flexible, able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed 
• Ability to multitask, exceptional detail and follow up skills, and is organized 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a proactive communication style
• Belief in the Achievement First mission and educational model 

In addition, the following experience is required to be successful on this team:

• Knowledge of applicable law (state/federal), regulations, rules, procedures, HR best practice and administration
• Experience working with HRIS systems, especially ADP Workforce Now is a plus
• Ability to resolve conflicts and diffuse employee relations related concerns, issues, and situations 
• Ability to work in and travel to schools in Cranston and Providence, Rhode Island a minimum of three days a week

Compensation

Achievement First sets salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on the requisite skills, education, and experience relevant to the role.  The salary for this position is $117,753, with no flexibility.  Additionally, Achievement First offers to all regular, full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match, and paid Family Leave.

Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/

Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/