Overview

The Windward School is actively seeking a Director of Human Resources to oversee HR functions across all three campuses with their main office being at Westchester Middle School in White Plains, New York. The Director of Human Resources handles executing and overseeing the administration of hiring, retention, termination, personnel records, legal compliance, compensation, benefit administration, management training, HR information system maintenance, staffing strategies, and monitoring and overseeing faculty and staff culture at The Windward School. This position is a key strategic partner, aiding the Senior Administrative Team in evaluating the direction of the schools personnel, compensation practices, compliance with regulations, and culture, and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer. The Director of Human Resources must be an adept communicator with a strong knowledge of the employment lifecycle and employment law as well as payroll and benefits administration, preferably in a not-for-profit and/or education environment.

 

Qualified candidates should not only have the experience and expertise listed but also should:

  • Have a deep understanding of and a passion to support The Windward Schools mission
  • Display a proven commitment to diversity work and fostering an inclusive culturally competent school environment

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Supply leadership and supervision in the day-to-day operation of the Human Resource function. Implement all applicable personnel laws and regulations.
  • Ensure compliance with federal and state statutes/laws including, but not limited to, FMLA, ADA, Sexual Harassment, OSHA, Workers Compensation, and ERISA.
  • Coordinate performance management processes.
  • Supporting the recruiting lifecycle, including posting job openings, coordinating candidate visits, conducting interviews and evaluations for all non union staff positions including off-site recruiting at job fairs, and conducting new hire orientations.
  • Work in conjunction with the Director of Teacher Training Program to plan all logistics of the annual New Faculty/Staff orientation.
  • Provide support for all employee based legal issues including working with the Schools legal counsel to dispute EEOC and other potential legal action taken against the School.
  • Manage employee separation process for both voluntary and involuntary terminations.
  • Manage all employee relations issues, conducting investigations as necessary, documenting conversations and working with all parties to find resolutions.
  • Assist supervisors with all write ups, performance improvement plans, etc, to ensure appropriate language, limiting liability to the School.
  • Manage logistics for all employee engagement activities including the annual Gallup employee engagement survey process and debriefing, Faculty & Staff Appreciation week, School Nurse Appreciation Day, Administrative Professionals Day, Holiday party, Platinum Circle Dinner, End of Year luncheon and other Windward Wow events scheduled thoughout the year.
  • Develop/edit/update job descriptions for all employees. Complete periodic job description audits and classify employees exempt or nonexempt status as appropriate under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Aid in development and maintenance of the salary/compensation scale.
  • Supply training for department heads and team leaders on various HR topics including interviewing skills, performance management and employee coaching.
  • Oversee training process for all employees such as annual training on sexual and other forms of harassment, sexual abuse reporting, and other applicable topics.
  • Maintain personnel files for each employee in compliance with state and federal regulations.
  • Maintain and improve the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) to support the needs of the schools management and employees.
  • Represent the school at various functions both internally and externally, as a champion of the brand.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School and/or Chief Financial Officer.

 

Benefits Administration

  • Manage and coordinate benefit programs (Health, Dental, Vision, Section 125, 403(b) Retirement Plan, STD, LTD, Life/AD&D and COBRA) for employees, including all employee communication, problem-solving, and claims resolution.
  • Collaborate with insurance brokers to develop a benefit strategy that maximizes benefits options for employees and limits the increased cost.
  • Ensure all plans follow applicable laws and statutes (HIPAA, ERISA, and IRS guidelines).
  • Prepare/edit Summary Plan Descriptions and other regulatory reporting as needed for plan changes and legal compliance.
  • Manage annual open enrollment for benefit plans.
  • Manage employee qualifying events or changes in coverage in all carrier sites and payroll system.
  • Resolve discrepancies or errors on carrier billing invoices with benefits broker or the carriers directly.
  • Compile and support correct list of all benefits offered or enrolled in, including dependents for ACA reporting purposes.

Specific Requirements

  • Minimum of three years of related experience, preferably in a not-for-profit environment
  • Minimum of bachelor’s degree in HR or related field; PHR, SPHR, CP or SCP certification preferred
  • An understanding of and commitment to The Windward Schools mission and values.
  • Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
  • An ability to interact comfortably with individuals of diverse social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
  • An ability to accurately interpret procedures and regulations along with the ability to ensure proper implementation.
  • An ability to manage several tasks at once.
  • An ability to assess and solve problems.

 

Our Mission

The school is an independent, coeducational day school dedicated to providing an excellent instructional program for children with language-based learning disabilities. The multisensory curriculum is designed for students of average to superior intelligence who can receive help from the unique educational experience provided. Through direct instruction in small class settings, a trained staff aids students to improve their language skills. Academic success, combined with opportunities for social and emotional growth, enables students to understand their learning styles, build confidence, and develop self-advocacy skills. Windward is committed to helping students achieve their full potential in preparation for a successful return to the mainstream educational environment. To meet these goals, the school provides ongoing training to its faculty based on the most current research and shares its ability with the parent body, other educators, and the broader community.

 

Our Vision

A world where every child with a language-based learning disability is empowered to achieve unlimited success.

 

The Windward School’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Mission & Vision Statement

At The Windward School, we are committed to a world where every child with a language-based learning disability is empowered to achieve unlimited success – a vision fulfilled by disrupting the educational status quo. The Windward School deliberately builds both its curriculum and culture to foster a powerful sense of belonging through a research-based program that is authentically inclusive and a community in which everyone is seen in their full humanity.

 

The Windward School aspires to bring forth students who are culturally engaged critical thinkers, confident self-advocates who understand and celebrate their differences, and upstanders who identify and challenge all forms of injustice. Windward is committed to these values and expectations of its community members by embracing the importance of ongoing anti-oppression dialogue and critical conversations; by advancing educational equity in underrepresented communities, especially those historically marginalized by society; and by working to ensure that our program is accessible to all who need it.