Executive Director Of Human Resources Operations

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Talent Office supports and empowers employees through all stages of their Chicago Public Schools (CPS) careers, with the understanding that the department's success enables employees to better serve the students of Chicago. In this work, the department prioritizes building new teacher talent pipelines to ensure all students have access to diverse, quality educators; empowering principals and managers with effective talent management tools; and promoting excellence with clear expectations, accountability, and recognition for employees.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Talent, the Executive Director of Human Resources Operations provides key leadership and support within the Talent Office by functioning as the subject matter expert and lead of the high-volume HR operations functions of staffing operations, employee records and data management, school-based HR partnerships and support, substitute services, and the HR contact center operations (HR4U). The Executive Director of Human Resources Operations serves as a member of the Talent Office Senior Leadership Team, providing strategic direction to both Central Office and school-based staff, ensuring alignment of HR Operations with the District's vision and goals through data-driven decision-making and operational excellence. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Executive Director, Human Resources Operations will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Support the Deputy Chief in developing and implementing the District's HR Operations strategies
• Lead, develop, and manage the performance of the HR Operations teams, overseeing staffing operations, employee records and data management, school-based HR partnerships and support, substitute services, and the HR contact center operations (HR4U)
• Serve as advisor and subject matter expert on HR operations and school-based HR issues
• Lead HR operations functions in districtwide initiatives, including collective bargaining agreements and technology implementations
• Oversee and direct districtwide HR operations processes and services to ensure accurate and timely staffing for schools and central office departments
• Develop and strengthen cross-functional partnerships with Central Office departments and schools
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in collaboration with District leadership
• Partner with the Deputy Chief to develop efficient, effective, and well-documented Talent policies and processes that enhance HR Operations and employee experience
• Provide high-quality customer service support to all CPS employees through effective processes and customer service, ensuring the equitable provision of operational support, services, policies, and programs
• Other duties and workstreams as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Executive Director, Human Resources Operations must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required
• Master's degree is preferred
• SPHR or other relevant HR certification is preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant HR leadership experience is required, including:
• Minimum of five (5) years managing HR business partners and/or generalist teams
• Minimum of five (5) years managing staffing operations in a large, complex organization
• Minimum of three (3) years supervising multiple teams and managers
• Minimum of three (3) years managing HR operations in a unionized environment
• Experience working in the public sector or a K-12 school setting is strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive and diversified leadership expertise in developing and executing initiatives that optimize operations, structure, process, and culture
• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and guide teams effectively
• Commitment to CPS's mission, vision, and instructional goals
• Ability to interact and collaborate with employees at all levels of the organization, including District Leadership, Department Heads, School-Based Staff, and other stakeholders, with professionalism, persuasiveness, and diplomacy; must effectively gain trust, build rapport, counsel, and assess complex situations with a very high level of accuracy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience developing insights and recommendations using large datasets
• Deep understanding of challenges facing urban students and ability to coordinate resources to address them
• Knowledge of HR operations and budget/finance
• Ability to build and lead high-performing teams in accomplishing work objectives aligned with the District's mission
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, e.g., ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with tact and discretion; display a strong work ethic with impeccable judgment, integrity, credibility, and professionalism; demonstrate high levels of decision-making courage
• Ability to quickly develop and leverage expert-level knowledge of District policies and procedures

Conditions of Employment:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.