Career Center

Kent School, an independent co-ed boarding school for grades 9 through 12, seeks an experienced human resource professional to further develop and improve the Kent School Human Resources’ function. This position will be responsible for managing employee relations, employee training and development, compensation assessment, benefits strategy, Kent School policy and procedures, employee performance, recruiting and retention, employee termination, institutional compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and laws. The Human Resources Director will work closely with the CFO & COO to develop HR practices that will better serve all employees.

The Human Resources Director will supervise and partner with the School’s Human Resources Manager who will be responsible for payroll, benefits administration, employee onboarding, employee personnel files, workers’ compensation claims, unemployment compensation claims, and other human resources activities as appropriate.

Essential Duties:

• Supervise and support the HR Manager.
• Support department heads and other managers with employee relations concerns. Take a pro-active approach to ensure managers are properly supporting their teams.
• Serve as a critical resource advising managers how to better communicate with their teams, support the development of key team members, address underperforming employees, resolve conflict, communicate expectations, and ensure team goals are being accomplished.
• Establish and provide employee training programs to address institutional weaknesses. These programs should help all employees develop the skills necessary to better engage with supervisors, co-workers, and other stakeholders to better perform a job.
• Establish and provide managerial training to support young managers in the work necessary to become better team leaders.
• Perform a continuous study of compensation and benefits to ensure Kent School remains competitive.
• Work closely with Kent School’s benefits advisor to structure benefit plans that serve the needs of all Kent School employees. Plans include medical, vision, dental, long-term disability, short term disability, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, additional voluntary life insurance, and retirement (403b)
• Maintain the Kent School Employee Handbook, ensuring policies and procedures reflect standards that promote a fair and healthy work environment, and fully considers how adults and students will live together in a residential learning environment.
• Work closely with legal counsel and other professionals to ensure the School maintains compliance with necessary regulations and laws. The HR Director will be responsible for compliance with Department of Labor, IRS, ERISA, FMLA, COBRA, ADA, and other State & Federal regulations governing hiring, compensating, promoting/developing, managing, disciplining, and terminating employees.
• Ensure all employees receive the training necessary to work in a residential school environment. At a minimum, this programming will include boundary training and the responsibilities associated with being a Mandated Reporter as defined by the State of CT through the Department of Children and Family Services.
• Execute a performance assessment process, ensuring the performance of every member of the staff is assessed and properly reviewed. The objective of this program is to ensure all employees are growing and properly contributing to the operation of the School.  Faculty/Teacher evaluations are performed by the Dean of Faculty.  The HR Director may assist in teacher evaluations.
• Assist all managers in hiring. Ensure proper job descriptions exist.
• Collaborate with the Director of Inclusion, Equity and Diversity (‘IED”) to support the School’s IED goals when hiring for various positions and when implementing policy and procedures.
• Responsible for the School’s human resources budget, including the cost of benefits.
• Participate in all discussions concerning the termination of an employee. Assist managers when terminating an employee.
• Stay abreast of policy developments, national, state, and local labor law, and best practices in independent schools; recommend new and updated policies and practices.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university.
• 10 years of progressively more complex human resources management experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft and GOOGLE products. Comfortable using technology.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Ability to model professionalism, ethical leadership, and adherence to Kent School’s Code of Conduct.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondences, and procedures manuals. Ability to communicate complex information in a clear manner.
• Comfortable delivering oral presentations to large groups.
• Must be able to communicate in a manner where all employees feel valued and respected. All employees must feel comfortable sharing concerns and issues with the HR Director.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and apply sound judgement concerning confidential information.

 Physical Requirements:

• Will work in an office environment, ability to sit at a desk using a computer/keyboard for substantial periods.
• Mobility to move about the campus.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds as necessary.

About Kent School

Kent School is a coeducational boarding school located in northwestern Connecticut, serving 570 students, grades 9-12.

Connections working at Kent School