Director of Human Resources

POSITION: Director of Human Resources

LOCATION: Administration Building – Kenowa Hills Public Schools

REPORTS TO: Superintendent

SCHEDULE: Full-Time, Year-Round (260-Day Position)

CONTRACT: One-Year Administrative Contract, Renewable Annually

SALARY/BENEFITS: Competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Posting Closes July 14, 2026

POSITION OVERVIEW

Kenowa Hills Public Schools is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as Director of Human Resources. The Director of Human Resources serves as the district's chief human capital officer and strategic advisor on all matters related to talent management, labor relations, employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, compliance, and workforce development.

As a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet, the Director of Human Resources plays a critical leadership role in advancing the District's mission, vision, strategic plan, and organizational culture. The successful candidate will be a systems thinker who can balance operational excellence with a people-centered approach while supporting employees across all departments and employee groups.

The Director oversees all aspects of human resources administration, including recruitment and retention, labor relations, negotiations, employee relations, investigations, performance management, onboarding, compensation and benefits administration, policy development, compliance, organizational development, and strategic workforce planning.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree required in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Educational Leadership, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a closely related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in Human Resources, Labor Relations, School Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field
• Experience in public education, public sector human resources, labor relations, or school administration strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead through collaboration, influence, and relationship-building
• Experience supervising and developing professional staff
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or similar professional certification preferred
• Experience serving as a chief negotiator, Title IX Coordinator, or district-level administrator preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading negotiations, employee relations, investigations, organizational initiatives, and strategic planning efforts

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or similar professional certification preferred
• Experience serving as a chief negotiator, Title IX Coordinator, or district-level administrator preferred.
• Benefits administration such as open insurance enrollment experience, insurance plans, long-term disability, etc

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet and participate in district leadership and strategic planning initiatives
• Advise the Superintendent and Board of Education regarding workforce strategy, labor relations, organizational effectiveness, staffing, and personnel matters
• Develop and implement long-range human capital strategies aligned with district goals and priorities
• Utilize systems thinking and data analysis to identify organizational needs, improve processes, and develop sustainable solutions

Talent Management and Workforce Development

• Lead district-wide recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, and succession planning efforts
• Develop strategies to attract, develop, and retain highly qualified and diverse staff
• Oversee employee orientation, onboarding, mentoring, and professional growth initiatives
• Collaborate with district leaders to identify workforce needs and leadership development opportunities
• Monitor staffing trends and recommend proactive workforce solutions

Labor Relations

• Serve as the district's lead administrator for collective bargaining and labor relations
• Participate in contract negotiations and labor-management meetings
• Administer and interpret collective bargaining agreements
• Manage grievance processes and support effective labor-management relationships
• Provide guidance to administrators regarding contract interpretation and employee relations matters

Employee Relations and Investigations

• Oversee employee relations matters including workplace concerns, conflict resolution, and performance management
• Conduct and oversee investigations involving personnel matters, workplace complaints, harassment allegations, and other employment-related concerns
• Provide guidance regarding progressive discipline, corrective action, employee performance concerns, and documentation
• Coordinate compliance efforts related to ADA accommodations, FMLA administration, workers' compensation, and related employment matters
• Support Title IX employment-related investigations and personnel matters as assigned

Organizational Culture and Employee Engagement

• Foster a positive organizational culture focused on trust, collaboration, accountability, wellness, and continuous improvement
• Lead employee recognition, engagement, retention, and wellness initiatives
• Promote positive employee relations and effective communication throughout the organization
• Support leadership development and organizational effectiveness across all departments

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
• Maintain knowledge of and oversee compliance with PERA, MERC, ADA, FMLA, ACA, FLSA, Workers' Compensation, unemployment compensation, school law, and other applicable employment regulations
• Oversee certification compliance, personnel records, state reporting requirements, and employment-related audits
• Develop, implement, and maintain district personnel policies, procedures, and administrative guidelines

Operational Responsibilities

• Oversee HR systems, personnel records, employee data, and reporting requirements
• Utilize HR analytics and workforce data to support informed decision-making
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for the Superintendent and Board of Education
• Collaborate with Payroll, Finance, Curriculum, Student Services, Transportation, Food Service, and Building Administrators to support district operations
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge of public-sector human resources administration and labor relations
• Knowledge of Michigan school employment laws, regulations, and personnel practices
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality
• Ability to build productive relationships with employees, administrators, labor representatives, attorneys, community members, and Board members
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Experience with HRIS systems, applicant tracking systems, payroll systems, evaluation platforms, and state reporting systems preferred
• Growth mindset and commitment to continuous professional learning
• * Willingness to become SHRM certified; Certified HR Specialist for K-12 Administrators

WORK LOCATION REQUIREMENT

This position is an in-person leadership role requiring regular on-site attendance throughout the calendar year. The essential functions of this position require direct interaction with employees, applicants, administrators, labor representatives, community members, and district stakeholders and therefore cannot be performed remotely.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, utilize office equipment, travel between district facilities, analyze documents and data, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and occasionally lift and/or move materials weighing up to 45 pounds.

The work environment includes frequent interruptions, competing priorities, confidential information, personnel matters, investigations, negotiations, and complex decision-making requiring sound judgment and discretion.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Interested applicants can submit their application online @ https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/1313/opening/184937

Please include all transcripts, certifications, resumes, and letters of reference. Questions should be directed to Human Resources hr@khps.org

NOTE TO APPLICANTS

Pursuant to PA 131, the selected candidate must receive clearance from the Michigan State Police Department prior to employment through Livescan fingerprinting. The candidate is responsible for the fingerprinting background check fee.

NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

Kenowa Hills Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), age, disability, height, weight, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status in its educational programs, services, activities, or employment practices.