FirstLine Schools: Director of Human Resources and Talent Strategy
 

Creating and inspiring great, open admissions public schools in New Orleans

About FirstLine Schools

In 1998, FirstLine Schools started the first charter school in New Orleans. FirstLine now operates several (Pre)K-8th grade schools.  Our mission is to create and inspire great, open admissions public schools in New Orleans. 

Our faculty is a diverse and talented group dedicated to our students’ success and to their own growth as teachers.  Our schools are led by leaders who hold themselves accountable for student achievement and teacher development.

Classification: Exempt

Status: Full -Time

Position Summary

The Director of Human Resources and Talent serves as a strategic partner and key support to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), helping lead and manage Human Resources and Talent functions across the organization. This role serves as a strong second-in-command to the CHRO and supports organizational goals through talent management, employee relations, recruitment, performance management, workforce planning, employee engagement, and leadership development initiatives.

The Director will also lead and support survey administration, HR/Talent reporting, workforce analytics, and data-driven decision-making to improve organizational effectiveness, employee experience, and talent outcomes. This role collaborates closely with school and network leaders to strengthen systems, processes, culture, and staff support across the organization.

Position Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership and Talent Management

• Support the CHRO in leading Human Resources and Talent initiatives across the organization.
• Assist with workforce planning, succession planning, leadership development, and employee engagement strategies.
• Own Talent systems, workforce analytics, and AI-enabled tools to drive efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and enhance talent productivity. 
• Analyze trends related to recruitment, retention, employee engagement, attendance, and performance.
• Lead organizational culture initiatives and continuous adult culture improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with leaders to strengthen management practices, employee support, and organizational effectiveness.

Performance Management and Employee Development

• Lead and implement performance management systems focused on accountability, coaching, and employee growth.
• Assist leaders with employee performance concerns, feedback cycles, and development planning.
• Support leadership pipeline development and lead employee recognition initiatives.
• Oversee tracking and reporting related to performance management and talent initiatives.

Recruitment and Human Resources Operations

• Lead talent team in recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention strategies across schools and network teams.
• Lead talent team with staffing plans and recruitment efforts for key positions.
• Support employee relations matters, investigations, and HR compliance processes.
• Assist with HR systems administration, reporting, workflows, and process improvements.
• Ensure confidentiality and professionalism in all Human Resources practices.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned by the CHRO.

Team Management

• Lead talent team members toward strong performance and organizational outcomes.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and high-quality service across HR functions.
• Lead talent team in best practices in employee recruitment and retention.
• Leverage AI and technology to drive efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and enhance talent productivity 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of Human Resources, leadership development & training, or organizational leadership experience preferred.
• Experience with talent recruitment, HR systems, operations, budgets, and workforce analytics preferred.
• Experience in education or nonprofit environments preferred.

Desired Qualities & Characteristics:

• Believe in every student’s ability to achieve in a rigorous college or career prep curriculum
• Achieve results based on agreed-upon expectations
• Take personal responsibility 
• Highly detail-oriented 
• Collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders 
• Share a commitment to creating great schools in New Orleans
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrates the ability or willingness to learn and use AI and emerging technologies to improve productivity, processes, and decision-making. 
• Ability to embed and model the FirstLine Commitments:
• We Keep Learning
• We Work Together
• We Are Helpful
• We Are the Safekeepers of our Community
• We Share Joy
• We Show Results

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  Occasional physical exertion is required, including exerting up to 20 pounds of force as needed to move objects.

Reports to: Chief Human Resources Officer

Supervises: Talent Team

How to Apply: Please apply online via: http://www.firstlineschools.org/careers

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. FirstLine Schools offers a comprehensive benefits package with a generous 403b plan.

FirstLine Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.