Director, Talent & Culture

BASIC INFORMATION

Place of Performance: Seattle, Washington

Supervisor: Co-President, Finance & Operations

Direct Reports: N/A

Status: Full Time, Exempt

Travel Requirements: Up to 10% (including regional travel throughout Washington State)

Salary Range: $99,500 - $124,000

WHO WE ARE

WA Charters knows that communities of color, immigrant and refugee communities, low-income communities, and individuals living with disabilities disproportionately shoulder the burden of the impacts of inequitable access to high-quality public schools. Working for and in partnership with impacted communities is a critical priority of our school services, legal, advocacy, communications, and engagement work to support charter public schools at every stage of their development. By doing so, we believe charter public schools will be a lever to improve educational outcomes across charter and traditional schools for all students.

Washington is the 42nd state to open its public education system to charter public schools and the charter public school law puts a strong emphasis on ensuring that its charters are high-quality options for students that don’t have access to them currently. The Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters) is a non-profit organization that advocates for and develops high-quality charter public schools that meet the needs of systemically underserved students.

POSITION OVERVIEW

WA Charters is a small, but mighty team of leaders (~14 full time team members) and we expect all positions to contribute to our broader goal of advancing equity in Washington State’s public schools. Specifically, the Director of Talent & Culture will develop our talent strategy to achieve our north star internal organizational goal: "WA Charters is a place where all are mission-aligned. All belong, contribute to success, and grow professionally.”

Through specific people practices and systems, this role will steward WA Charters commitment to anti-racism and equity, ensuring equitable outcomes are present in our people systems (e.g., hiring, performance engagement, compensation, and promotion). This position will also develop targeted learning and processes to build a trusted, collaborative culture grounded in WA Charters core values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Talent management: 50%

• Develop a comprehensive talent strategy that is aligned with WA Charters culture and anti-racism goals. Specific focus areas include: Recruitment & Hiring, Performance Management and Onboarding/Staff Learning.
• Build trusting relationships and actively coach hiring managers and team leaders through people processes and decision-making to ensure an inclusive experience for all staff
• Create and implement systems for ongoing and consistent feedback among staff, peers, managers, and teams; Manage the annual performance management process.
• Identify professional development resources to support individual and team skill development.

Shape organizational culture & staff engagement: 30%

• Collaborate with the Co-Presidents to develop and implement an organizational culture that support staff to do their best work in alignment with our mission, vision, core values, and strategic priorities.
• Lead, manage, and partner with the Organizational Culture Team (OCT), a collective of leaders at WA Charters, to develop and implement organizational systems, practices, and policies to promote equitable outcomes and working environment across the organization.
• Partner with team leaders to develop a staff engagement strategy (i.e., Racial Equity Identity Groups (REIGs), monthly team meetings, quarterly gatherings, staff retreat, and annual staff survey)

Manage Human Resource systems: 15%

Total Rewards & Compensation:

• Lead annual salary review process to ensure equitable staff recognition across the organization. Engage vendors to conduct external market research as needed.
• Conduct an annual review of WA Charter’s benefits strategy to ensure alignment with people-related best practices and lead efforts to ensure staff members are aware of and maximizing employee benefits.

Compliance & Employee Relations

• Annually review and update the Employee Culture Guide. Create/Revise HR policies and procedures, ensuring they are: (a) in compliance with applicable employment laws, grounded in our anti-racism and equity goals (b) consistently applied.
• Develop an overall strategy for managing employee grievances with an emphasis on conflict resolution.; manage employee relations, internal inquiries, and investigations, if and as necessary

Contribute to WA Charters strategy: 5%

• Work with the entire team to uphold equity throughout every aspect of work including external engagement, strategy, advocacy, communication, school services, operations, and development.
• Participate at two school or community events in support of our broader community each year.
• Provide additional support across the organization by leading and participating in additional projects as needed.

WHO YOU ARE

WA Charters is seeking a team member that has the following essential skills and experiences:

• • A resolute personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; Willingness to be an ally and an active leading voice for equity.
  • 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in People/Human Resources/Human Capital Management positions.
  • Proven experience designing and/or facilitating interactive learning experiences with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion for an organization.
  • Demonstrate inclusive and equitable leadership practices in hiring, leading, coaching and evaluation of diverse staff.
  • Prior work experience in a mission- and culture-driven organization.
  • Ability to make sound judgment, exercise discretion and credibility, and act as an agent who promotes equity, integrity, and accountability across the organization.
  • Relationship Management:
    • Ability to build, nurture, promote and influence healthy work relationships and work as an effective member of the team
    • Ability to create and facilitate a mission-aligned and trusting space for management and staff to discuss work issues and manage conflict while supporting the organization
    • Ability to interact with and support staff from diverse cultures and backgrounds with sensitivity and humility
  • HR Skills: Strong background in one or more of the following areas: talent acquisition, talent management, learning & development, employee relations, coaching, conflict resolution, or compensation and benefits.
  • Proven examples of coaching and relationship building at all levels of an organization.

  This position requires flexibility to travel to work site, a valid Washington Driver’s License, and proof of minimum state required insurance

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• WA Charters is currently working from home and in the process of developing a hybrid working model
• Open office workspace, with frequent sitting, occasional standing and/or walking and urban noise
• Frequent computer use
• Occasional local travel outside of the office, driving own vehicle or public transit
• Occasional need based irregular hours outside of the standard workweek (e.g., nights and weekends)
• Occasionally lift/carry up to 25 pounds
• Occasionally push/pull up to 25 pounds
• Note: WA Charters will make accommodations where necessary

WHAT WE OFFER

• A chance to transform Washington State’s public education to create broader equitable outcomes and policies for all students in Washington State
• A passionate, fun, fast-moving, and collaborative team
• Salary range $99,500 - $124,000, depending on experience. Salary range represents the minimum to mid-point of the WA Charters Director Salary band. We typically set initial salaries between the minimum and .95 of the mid-point, to allow for growth over time. Exceptions can be made for more-experienced hires.
• Medical, dental, vision, and Rx benefits and life insurance (details provided upon request)
• 401(k) Plan with an employer match
• Unlimited sick time
• PTO days and paid federal holidays

HIRING PROCESS

• To apply, please upload your resume and complete the companion application through the BambooHR portal
• The position will remain open until filled; however, anyone interested in the position is encouraged to apply early in the process, as the preferred start date is October 15, 2022, or earlier
• If your skills are a match, we will contact you to schedule a phone interview, followed by an interview with members of our team

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

WA Charters is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.