Director of Human Resources (School/Shared Services)

Title: Director of Human Resources (School/Shared Services)

Department/Location: Human Resources, St. Louis

Position Type: Full-time, 12-month

Summary

Principia is looking for an experienced and collaborative HR Director for our School and Shared Services employees. In this role, you will oversee campus-specific HR operations and support the unique HR needs of the St. Louis campus, focusing on empowering campus leadership, enhancing employee experience, and fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. Your strategic mindset, interpersonal skills, and ability to manage complex HR functions will be key to your success. Reporting directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to Principia School's Head of School, you will play a critical role in aligning campus HR functions with organizational goals and supporting a cohesive HR strategy. You'll collaborate with campus leaders, department managers, and HR team members to support our employees, Principia's mission and strategic priorities, and the overall HR vision.

About Us

At our award-winning pre-K-12 school in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education-blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia's team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of Alumni & Friends.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow's leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with campus leadership on training and professional development, employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding, emphasizing leadership development and manager empowerment.
• Oversee the St. Louis campus-focused HR team, including recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, HRIS administration, and other key HR functions.
• Implement HR programs at the campus level based on shared organizational programs, processes, and timelines, in partnership with HR Generalists and the extended HR team.
• Navigate and support complex employee relations, including coaching, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Promote and support employee professional development across the organization.
• Advise the Chief Human Resources Officer on organizational issues and needs, contributing to the design, implementation, and improvement of organizational programs, processes, and policies.
• Lead or provide support on Principia-wide HR projects as needed, in coordination with CHRO and College HR Director (examples of recent organization-wide projects include developing a career framework, revising our performance review process, updating team processes, and more)
• Champion company culture and employee experience by providing insights and suggestions for culture-related initiatives, supporting morale, and contributing to organization-wide gatherings and initiatives.
• Partner in the execution of campus-specific and organization-wide learning and development programs, creating and providing resources and support for both managers and employees.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and employment legislation to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws; consult with legal counsel as necessary.
• Provide oversight to campus-specific benchmarking process, ensuring internal equity and external competitiveness.
• Develop and manage the campus-specific HR budget in coordination with the CHRO.
• Cultivate relationships with external vendors, including consultants and service providers, to support campus and organization-wide HR initiatives.
• Participate in committees and special projects, taking on additional responsibilities as needed.

Core Competencies

• Positivity: Optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in your self and others.
• Inclusion: Demonstrates awareness and respect for cultural differences, actively seeks to understand diverse perspectives, and supports cross-cultural interactions. Fosters an inclusive environment where individuals of all backgrounds feel valued and respected.
• Strategic thinker: Ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions.
• Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions of others; inspires respect and trust; accepts feedback from others; provides vision and inspiration to peers and direct reports; gives appropriate recognition to others; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; promotes a positive work environment.
• Communication: Provides regular, consistent, and meaningful information. Listens carefully to others and ensures message is understood. Ensures important matters are shared with all appropriate parties. Communicates in a clear and concise manner. Tailors communication style to needs of the recipient.
• Project Management: Monitors project status, manages details, holds team members accountable, and provides clear project updates.
• Relationship Builder: Builds and sustains strong connections with a genuine interest in others.
• Results Driven: Prioritizes and delivers results in a high-volume environment.
• Interpersonal Skills: Works effectively and professionally with individuals at all levels, building strong relationships.
• Analytical: Synthesizes complex information and makes data-informed decisions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science
• Supportive of Principia's mission, vision and values as articulated here
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field; advanced degree or HR certification preferred; coaching or mediation certificate preferred
• Minimum of seven years' of related HR experience in manager role, or equivalent combination of education and experience

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia doe snot discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia - as an institution with a religious mission - gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.