Assistant Director of Human Resources

Bullis School seeks an experienced, energetic, and effective human resources professional to serve as the Assistant Director of Human Resources. This is a new position that will support the Director of Human Resources in the daily operations of the Human Resources department, to include: HRIS administration, talent management, benefits and leave administration, compliance, employee records, and employee support. In partnership with the Director and School leaders, the Assistant Director contributes to employee relations, policy development, performance management, compensation administration, organizational initiatives, and employee engagement.

As part of the School's succession planning strategy, this position is designed to develop the knowledge, leadership skills, and strategic experience necessary to assume the Director of Human Resources role in the future. The Assistant Director serves as the acting department leader in the Director's absence and participates in cross-functional initiatives that support the School's mission and strategic priorities.

This is a 12-month, on-site position with an anticipated start date of August 2026. 

Working at Bullis means being a part of a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and development.  We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits that make it an ideal place to build a thriving career.

Essential Functions

Human Resources Operations

• Manage the daily operations of the Human Resources department, ensuring efficient, accurate, and responsive delivery of HR services while maintaining compliance with applicable laws, School policies, and established service standards.
• Serve as the primary Human Resources contact for employees, providing guidance on Human Resources policies, benefits, leave programs, employment practices, and other routine Human Resources matters while exercising sound judgment and maintaining confidentiality.
• Coordinate the School's onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring a positive employee experience, timely completion of employment requirements, coordination with internal departments, and compliance with all applicable policies and procedures.
• Administer the School's employee benefits programs, including enrollment, qualifying life events, annual open enrollment, employee communications, and coordination with benefit providers to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant delivery of benefits.
• Work with the benefits broker to update the benefits guide in preparation for open enrollment and ensure plan updates have been made in the HRIS system prior to the start of open enrollment.
• Maintain the integrity of the Human Resources Information System (HRIS) by ensuring the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of employee data and recommending system enhancements to improve operational efficiency.
• Ensure personnel files, employment records, and Human Resources documentation are complete, accurate, confidential, and maintained in accordance with applicable legal requirements and record retention guidelines.
• Manage employment verification requests, personnel transactions, and other employment-related documentation in accordance with School policy and legal requirements.
• Maintain the Human Resources compliance calendar, ensuring timely completion of required reporting, employee communications, training, performance management activities, benefits administration, and other recurring Human Resources responsibilities.
• Coordinate departmental workflow and priorities, balancing competing demands, monitoring project timelines, and collaborating with the Director of Human Resources to ensure the effective delivery of Human Resources services.
• Identify opportunities to improve Human Resources processes, technology, and service delivery through continuous evaluation of departmental practices and implementation of operational efficiencies.

Talent Management

• Coordinate the School's recruitment process by managing employment advertising, the applicant tracking system, candidate communications, interview logistics, and other recruitment activities in partnership with the Dean of Faculty, hiring managers, and the Director of Human Resources.
• Ensure all positions have current, accurate, and comprehensive job descriptions by collaborating with school leaders to develop, review, and update essential functions, qualifications, and hiring criteria.
• Evaluate new and existing positions to promote internal consistency, appropriate classification, and compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Partner with the Director of Human Resources and Senior Leadership on workforce planning initiatives, organizational staffing needs, succession planning, and position management.
• Coordinate and continually enhance new employee orientation and onboarding programs to promote employee engagement, successful integration, and a positive employee experience.

Leave Administration

• Administer leave programs, including FMLA, disability, paid parental leave, and other protected leaves, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and School policy.
• Partner with the Payroll Manager to ensure the accurate administration of paid leave programs.
• Administer the School's disability and religious accommodation processes by engaging in the interactive process with employees requesting reasonable accommodations, evaluating available options, implementing accommodations in compliance with applicable law, and partnering with the Director of Human Resources on complex or high-impact accommodation requests.
• Manage the School's workers' compensation program, including timely reporting of claims, claim management, coordination with the insurance carrier, and periodic program audits.

Employee Relations

• Serve as the primary point of contact for routine employee relations matters, providing guidance to employees and supervisors on the interpretation and application of School policies and employment practices, and escalating complex or high-risk matters to the Director of Human Resources as appropriate. 
• Conduct workplace investigations involving employee concerns, policy violations, misconduct allegations, and other employment-related matters; gather and analyze relevant information, maintain appropriate documentation, and recommend findings and corrective action to the Director of Human Resources. 
• Coach supervisors on employee relations best practices, performance management, documentation, corrective action, and effective communication to promote consistency, accountability, and compliance. 
• Assist school leaders in the preparation of performance improvement plans, disciplinary and separation documentation, and other employment-related correspondence, providing guidance on employment practices, policy application, and legal compliance. Participate in separation meetings and other employment-related meetings as appropriate.
• Partner with the Director of Human Resources on complex employee relations matters, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, accommodations, and other issues presenting elevated legal or organizational risk. 
• Assist in the development, interpretation, implementation, and communication of Human Resources policies and procedures, recommending revisions to improve operational effectiveness, employee experience, and compliance with applicable employment laws. 
• Monitor employee relations trends and recommend proactive initiatives, training, and process improvements that support a positive workplace culture and minimize organizational risk.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Manage unemployment claims, including claim preparation, response, hearings, and coordination with state agencies. 
• Oversee compliance with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), and other employment-related regulatory requirements, ensuring accurate recordkeeping, reporting, and timely completion of required actions. 
• Prepare and coordinate annual compliance reporting, including EEO-1, Affordable Care Act (ACA), and other required federal and state employment reports. 
• Administer the School's employment eligibility verification process by ensuring compliance with Form I-9 and E-Verify requirements and conducting periodic audits of employment records. 
• Conduct periodic audits of personnel files, HR records, and human resources processes to ensure compliance with applicable laws, School policy, and record retention requirements. 
• Coordinate required workplace compliance training, including harassment and discrimination prevention, and other mandatory employment-related training, while maintaining accurate completion records. 
• Identify compliance risks and recommend process improvements that strengthen internal controls, promote operational efficiency, and reduce organizational risk.

Leadership & Strategic Support

• Participate in the annual compensation planning process, including market benchmarking, salary analysis, stipend review, and preparation of annual letters of employment.
• Analyze human resources metrics and workforce data, prepare reports and presentations for the Director of Human Resources and Senior Leadership, and identify trends and recommendations to support informed decision-making. 
• Represent the Human Resources department on cross-functional committees, task forces, and special projects, providing HR guidance and recommendations while fostering collaboration across the School. 
• Serve as acting department leader in the Director's absence, ensuring continuity of human resources operations and providing guidance to employees and school leaders.
• Progressively assume increased leadership responsibilities through mentoring, cross-training, and participation in strategic human resources initiatives to support departmental succession planning and ensure continuity of leadership.

Other Duties

Other duties as assigned by the Director of Human Resources

Education and Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience, including experience leading Human Resources initiatives, projects, or staff
• Demonstrated experience independently managing multiple Human Resources functions, including employee relations, leave and benefits administration, HRIS management, recruitment, and employment law compliance in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated leadership ability through project management, committee leadership, supervision, mentoring, or cross-functional initiatives
• Strong knowledge of federal and Maryland employment law
• Excellent judgment and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive employee matters
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills 
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to think strategically while remaining actively engaged in day-to-day operations
• Commitment to fostering an equitable, inclusive, and respectful school community
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to connect with employees from diverse backgrounds and understand their needs
• Proficiency with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Microsoft 365, and Google Workspace

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field
• SHRM-CP or PHR certification 
• Experience in independent schools or nonprofit organizations
• Experience with compensation analysis, policy development, and workplace investigations
• Paycom experience

Compensation and benefits are competitive, with an anticipated salary range of $120,000 to $130,000.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-provided basic life insurance
• Employer-provided short-term and long-term disability
• 401(k) employer match and safe harbor contribution, up to 7% of annual compensation
• Generous paid leave