Director of Human Resources

Position: Director of Human Resources

Department: Human Resources

Location: Milton Academy Campus, Milton, MA

Hours: Full-time with the flexibility to work nights and weekends

FLSA: Exempt

Classification: Staff (12-month)

Salary Range: $120,000 to $150,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications

Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located just south of Boston.

Milton Academy cultivates in its students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Embracing diversity and the pursuit of excellence, we create a community in which individuals develop competence, confidence and character. Our active learning environment, in and out of the classroom, develops creative and critical thinkers, unafraid to express their ideas, prepared to seek meaningful lifetime success and to live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”

Summary of Position:

Milton Academy seeks an experienced Director of Human Resources to lead the School's HR function and support a community of more than 500 employees. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer, the Director will serve as a trusted advisor to School leadership and oversee HR programs and operations that advance Milton's mission and foster a positive employee experience.

The Director will lead and develop a team of HR professionals and oversee recruitment and hiring, compensation and benefits, payroll, performance management, employee relations, compliance, HR systems, and workforce planning, including HR support for The Mountain School. A key priority will be strengthening Milton's approach to recruitment and workforce planning to anticipate and meet the School's evolving needs.

The Director will also support the upcoming implementation of Workday, the School's new HR and payroll system. Working with the HR team, the Director will integrate Workday into existing HR workflows and responsibilities, refine processes, and support employee training and adoption.

Working closely with leaders across the School, the Director will help ensure that HR programs and personnel decisions align with Milton's strategic priorities, long term plans, and resources.

The ideal candidate will be a thoughtful and collaborative HR leader energized by the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic educational community and help shape the employee experience at Milton.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Lead the HR Office and oversee the School's core HR programs and operations, including:

   • Payroll and employee benefits administration

   • Retirement plan administration

   • Compensation administration, including salary benchmarking and annual reappointment and pay rate letters

   • Staff performance reviews and support for faculty performance reviews

   • Recruitment and hiring

   • New employee onboarding, training, and orientation

   • Administration of the annual employee training program

   • Personnel policies and procedures, including maintenance of an up-to-date personnel policies manual

   • Employee departures and exit processes

   • Health and wellness programs

   • Employment compliance and required reporting

   • 403(b) plan audits and Form 5500 filings

   • Personnel records management

   • Background checks and employee screening

   • Oversight of HR systems, including Workday1

   • Lead, supervise, and mentor the HR team by setting priorities, supporting professional growth, and ensuring an effective team structure, clear distribution of responsibilities, and responsive support to the Milton community.

2. Lead the School's recruitment, hiring, and workforce planning efforts in partnership with the HR team, principals, department leaders, and hiring managers. Develop proactive strategies to anticipate staffing needs, attract qualified candidates, and strengthen recruitment practices, while overseeing the hiring process from candidate sourcing through offers and onboarding.

3. Oversee the development, coordination, and delivery of annual employee training, including compliance requirements and schoolwide professional development initiatives.

4. Partner with the Leadership Team to foster a positive workplace culture, support employee engagement and retention, and advise managers on employee relations, performance, and personnel matters.

5. Lead employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, performance and conduct concerns, and workplace investigations, ensuring fair and consistent practices.

6. Partner with the Benefits Administrator to manage employee leaves, disability accommodations, and workers' compensation, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

7. Work with the Chief Financial and Operating Officer and the Business Office on compensation and benefits programs that are competitive, financially responsible, and effective in attracting and retaining employees.

8. Develop and manage the annual HR budget to support operational needs and strategic initiatives.

9. Keep HR policies and procedures current, clear, and accessible. Ensure they are applied consistently and comply with applicable employment laws and sound HR practices.

10. Partner with the Controller's Office to ensure compensation, benefits, payroll, and personnel information is accurate and shared in a timely manner.

11. Oversee workforce data and reporting related to staffing, recruitment, retention, compensation, benefits, employee engagement, and compliance. Use this information to identify trends, inform decisions, and help School leaders plan for hiring and organizational needs.

12. Stay current on federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, as well as relevant developments in human resources. Assess changes that may affect Milton and advise School leadership on appropriate actions.

13. Work closely with the Chief Legal Counsel on employment matters, employee relations, HR policies, and other personnel decisions that involve legal or institutional risk.

14. Review HR processes, systems, and programs on an ongoing basis and recommend practical improvements that make the work more efficient and improve the employee experience.

15. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

Supervision to be received: Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Supervision to be exercised: Benefits Administrator, Analyst and Payroll Administrator, Human Resources Assistant and Recruitment Coordinator, and other part-time/temporary staff (TBD)

Education:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in human resources or business administration.

• HR certification (PHR/SPHR or SHRM CP/SCP)

Experience:

Required:

• At least 10 years of progressive professional experience, including a minimum of 7 years in human resources.

• Experience managing a team.

• Demonstrated success in leadership and people management roles, including supervising and developing HR staff, leading cross-functional initiatives, and partnering with senior leaders to advance organizational goals.

• Proven experience leading organizational change and guiding teams through periods of transition with effective communication, collaboration, and constituency engagement.

Preferred:

• Experience working in an independent school or in higher education.

• Experience working with educators.

• Experience with Massachusetts compliance requirements.

Competencies

Required:

• Knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and HR best practices

• Proficiency in Workday, ADP or similar HRIS platforms.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks in a fast-paced work environment

• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituencies.

• Understanding of confidentiality and related issues.

• Receptive to supervision and professional development.

• Desire to be a part of a dynamic educational community.

• Demonstrated computer expertise, including proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Physical Abilities:

Required:

• Must be able to work at a computer for up to 8 hours each day in conjunction with OSHA requirements.

• Must be able to move around the Milton Academy campus without restriction.

• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and inform your supervisor as soon as possible.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this job description; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

Milton Academy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of any category protected by federal, state, or local law, including but not limited to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship or national or ethnic origin.