KIPP NYC is hiring a Director of Employee Experience to strengthen our employee experience across the network. This senior leader ensures our people systems are clear, consistent, and designed to support high performance in service of students and families. You will own employee relations, investigations, performance evaluation systems, and the annual intent-to-return cycle.
What You'll Do
- Own employee relations strategy and execution across KIPP NYC, ensuring equitable, timely, and consistent resolution of concerns.
- Lead employee investigations with discretion and rigor, aligned to policy, legal requirements, and KIPP NYC’s values.
- Lead and continuously refine performance evaluation systems to ensure clarity, alignment, and accountability.
- Design and oversee performance intervention plans, maintaining centralized standards while supporting leaders through implementation.
- Own the annual intent-to-return process, including design, communications, timelines, execution, and alignment to performance outcomes and staffing strategy.
- Ensure documentation, compliance, and equitable application of all employee experience processes.
- Lead proactive strategies that strengthen engagement, retention, and professional culture across the network.
- Equip leaders with early-intervention tools to address performance, attendance, professionalism, and interpersonal concerns constructively and consistently.
- Analyze trends in employee experience data to identify root causes, inform preventative strategies, and drive continuous improvement.
- Ensure that people systems reinforce a culture of excellence, belonging, and accountability.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders across the organization on complex employee relations and performance matters.
- Coach and develop leaders to address complex and sensitive employee matters with clarity, empathy, and consistent alignment with KIPP NYC’s standards, policies, and expectations.
- Ensure leaders understand and effectively implement policies, procedures, and timelines.
- Balance centralized ownership of people systems with a strong partnership, ensuring leaders feel supported while maintaining organizational consistency.
- Manage and develop two team members through clear goal-setting, coaching, and feedback.
- Strengthen and streamline systems, workflows, and documentation related to employee relations, performance management, and annual cycles.
- Continuously improve processes to ensure scalability, clarity, and alignment across the organization.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in employee relations, human resources, or people operations.
- 4+ years of people management experience.
- Demonstrated ownership of investigations, performance management systems, and intervention processes.
- Strong judgment and discretion with highly sensitive matters.
- Proven ability to balance empathy with accountability.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racist practices in people systems and leadership.
Nice to Have
- Advanced degree a plus.
- Education or nonprofit experience preferred.
Team & Environment
This role manages two team members and is a key member of the Talent & Employee Experience Team, reporting to the Managing Director of Talent & Employee Experience.
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation: $115,000 - $144,000
- Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision.
- 403(b) retirement plan with a 50% match after 6 months.
- Generous Time-Off aligned with the school calendar.
- Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave.
- Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care.
- Employer-paid Life Insurance and Short-term / Long-term disability.
- Employee incentives include an 8-week paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.
Work Mode
This is a hybrid position. Work locations include the Midtown Manhattan office and KIPP NYC campuses across the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.
KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.
