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Chief People Officer

Trenton, NJ

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, or other schedule agreed upon by the CEO (HYBRID 3 days a week onsite/ 2 days a week WFH)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Campus: Home Office

Career Level: Senior Leader

Salary: $165,000-$175,000

At Foundation Academies, we are not just building schools—we are building a future where every scholar is prepared to lead a fulfilling life. As a premier educational institution, we are proud of our mission-driven culture, our commitment to excellence, and our deep investment in both our scholars and our staff. We are seeking a Chief People Officer (CPO) to join our Executive Team and lead us into the next chapter of growth and innovation.

What is in it for you?

  • Merit-based pay increases annually 
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefit plans
  • Tax-deferred 403b retirement account with 25% matching up to a certain amount 
  • Free financial wellness advising through our Financial Advisor Service
  • Optional short or long-term disability benefits through Aflac
  • Regular strategic professional development and coaching
  • Career advancement opportunities
  • Smartphone and fully paid wireless plan through T-Mobile
  • Windows-based laptop 
  • Regular team-building activities and outings
  • 10 sick days and 3 personal days that roll over annually 
  • 20 paid holiday observances
  • A rewarding career that positively impacts the lives of our amazing students

Who We Are Looking For:

We are searching for a visionary HR leader who understands that people are at the heart of our success. The ideal candidate is passionate about developing a culture where diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are not just principles, but daily practices. You will drive the strategic direction of our talent management initiatives, fostering a culture of growth, high performance, and well-being. You are a natural relationship builder who understands the complexities of human resources and can navigate both the strategic and operational demands of the role. You will partner with the Executive Team to ensure that we are not only attracting and retaining top talent but also developing our staff into the leaders of tomorrow. You’ll help us maintain our competitive edge by creating a work environment that champions innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

What you'll be doing:

  • Talent Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive human resources strategy that aligns with Foundation Academies’ mission and long-term goals. Champion initiatives to recruit, retain, and develop top talent, ensuring that our organization is staffed with passionate, mission-aligned individuals. Experience in expanding and strengthening a talent team to meet evolving organizational needs, with a focus on collaboration, professional growth, and operational excellence.
  • Culture and Engagement: Foster a thriving workplace culture that reflects our core values of excellence, integrity, and community. Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts that inspire belonging and engagement across all levels of the organization.
  • Leadership Development: Build leadership development programs that cultivate the potential of both current and emerging leaders within the organization. Ensure a focus on growth, mentorship, and professional development at all levels.
  • Employee Relations: Lead efforts to ensure a positive employee experience through proactive employee relations, conflict resolution, and engagement initiatives. Be an accessible and trusted resource for staff across all departments.
  • HR Operations: Oversee all HR functions, including benefits administration, compliance, performance management, compensation structures, and HR systems. Ensure operational excellence and efficiency in all processes.
  • Organizational Development: Partner with senior leadership to support a growing, evolving organization by leading organizational development initiatives, including change management, workforce planning, and talent analytics.
  • Executive Leadership: Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and the Executive Team, bringing thoughtful, data-driven perspectives to key decisions related to our people strategy.

What You Bring:

  • A passion for education and belief in the transformative power of learning.
  • A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a proven ability to foster an inclusive, mission-driven culture.
  • 10+ years of progressive People leadership experience, with at least 5 years at the executive level in a successful charter network or nonprofit organization focusing on educational outreach and leadership development
  • Proven experience leading talent strategy and developing high-performing teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
  • Strong leadership presence and the ability to inspire, influence, and motivate a team.
  • A balance of strategic thinking and hands-on operational management.
  • A high level of emotional intelligence, with a strong ability to build trusting relationships and manage change effectively.
  • Experience building scalable systems

Why Join Foundation Academies?

At Foundation Academies, you will join a team of passionate, driven educators and professionals who are deeply committed to making a difference. As CPO, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of our workforce and play a pivotal role in the success of our organization. We offer a collaborative, values-driven work environment, competitive salary and benefits, and opportunities for professional growth and advancement. If you’re ready to lead with purpose, innovate with impact, and help us continue to build a community where both scholars and staff thrive, we want to hear from you. Join us in our mission to provide a world-class education for all scholars!

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