Job Description:


The Director of Human Resources at Atlas Public Schools will design and lead a comprehensive people strategy that supports Atlas Public Schools’ mission and growth. This leader will ensure HR practices are aligned with academic and operational priorities, while fostering a joyful, equitable, and compliant workplace. They will oversee the full employee lifecycle - from talent acquisition to retention - while building the systems, policies, and team capacity needed to support a scaling organization. 

Team Leadership + Organizational Design

• Recommend future HR team structure (e.g., Benefits/Leaves Specialist, Recruiter, HRIS Analyst).
• Manage, coach, and develop the HR team once built.
• Establish clear service levels, workflows, and an internal HR knowledge base.

Talent Acquisition + Onboarding

• Lead full-cycle recruiting for central office and hard-to-fill school roles.
• Build diverse talent pipelines, structured interview guides, and calibrated rubrics.
• Design and implement a consistent onboarding program with 30-, 60-, and 90-day check-ins.

Employee Relations + Performance Management

• Advise leaders on coaching, documentation, and corrective action.
• Lead timely, fair investigations and recommend outcomes.
• Maintain transparent policies and resolution timelines for employee concerns.

Compensation, Benefits + Leave Management

• Maintain salary schedules, ranges, and lead annual compensation review processes.
• Oversee benefits strategy, vendor relationships, and open enrollment.
• Administer FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers’ compensation, and PTO programs with equity and compliance.

Payroll + Timesheet Administration

• Own the payroll process through BambooHR, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with all tax and labor laws.
• Manage timesheet collection, approvals, and reconciliations across staff and programs.
• Partner with Finance to align payroll with budget forecasting and financial reporting.
• Ensure proper handling of supplemental pay (stipends, extra service pay, and adjustments).
• Maintain confidentiality and data integrity in all payroll and timekeeping processes.

Compliance + Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with Missouri and federal employment laws, as well as DESE requirements.
• Manage background checks, mandatory trainings, I-9s, and E-Verify processes.
• Maintain accurate records, retention practices, and audit readiness.
• Own handbook updates and policy governance.

HR Operations + HRIS

• Own and optimize BambooHR and related systems (timekeeping, applicant tracking, onboarding).
• Ensure HR data integrity, automation of routine tasks, and integration with payroll/finance.
• Create self-service tools for staff and managers.

Data, Reporting + Insights

• Develop a people metrics dashboard (e.g., time-to-fill, new hire success, retention, engagement).
• Deliver quarterly reports and recommendations to leadership and the Atlas board.

Learning, Development + Leadership Coaching

• Partner with academics to align professional development with school calendars and intersessions.
• Launch core management training (hiring, feedback, coaching, legal compliance).
• Track participation, outcomes, and iterate on programming.

Culture and Engagement 

• Conduct annual engagement surveys and regular pulse checks; lead action planning.
• Embed equitable practices into hiring, evaluations, and promotions.
• Celebrate milestones, staff wins, and support well-being initiatives.

Health, Safety + Safeguarding

• Coordinate required trainings (e.g., mandated reporter, student safety).
• Partner with operations on safety procedures and incident response.
• Maintain confidential medical records with secure access protocols.

Budget + Vendor Management

• Build and manage the HR budget.
• Negotiate and oversee vendors (benefits, background checks, HRIS, recruiting platforms, legal counsel).
• Run RFPs and monitor service level agreements.

Experience + Qualification

• Professional Experience
  • 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a senior HR leadership role.
  • Proven track record of leading HR functions in a multi-site, mission-driven, or complex organization (education or nonprofit sector experience preferred, but not required).
  • Demonstrated experience in workforce planning, employee relations, investigations, and performance management.
  • Experience designing and implementing HR systems (HRIS, payroll, ATS) and driving process improvements.
  • Successful track record of building and managing HR teams, vendors, and budgets.