Head of People & Culture

Overview

Located in Waltham, Lincoln, and Wayland, Massachusetts, Carroll School is an independent day school that serves students with language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia. Carroll School empowers children to become academically skilled students who are strong self-advocates and confident lifelong learners prepared to enter other academic settings. Carroll is an inclusive community committed to embracing diverse strengths, identities, and lived experiences in order to give each child what they most need to thrive.

Diversity is essential at Carroll. Creating a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace is an important part of our mission that fosters greater creativity, innovation, and connection to the communities we serve. That mission starts here by building a robust, diverse talent pool. No matter what makes you uniquely different – size, color, culture, gender identity and expression, beliefs, religion, age, race – know that you are welcome here. Your difference makes Carroll stronger.

Research shows that people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Carroll School encourages you to break that statistic and apply as it’s rare to find applicants who meet all the qualifications. We look forward to receiving your application.

Carroll School is an equal opportunity employer that offers competitive salaries and benefits, including comprehensive professional development opportunities.

Position Summary

Our Head of People & Culture reports to the Head of School and works as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ensure the Carroll School has the human capacity and organizational capabilities to support our ambitious mission and growth plans.

This role requires an experienced HR leader who can quickly build trust, navigate a multi-campus environment, and keep people-focused systems running effectively. Given our school context, this is a predominantly on-campus role.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Organization Development

• Deploy a People Strategy that aligns with Carroll's operating goals and growth plans.
• Guide workforce planning, organization development and change leadership.
• Build & execute strategies to attract & retain skilled and committed talent.
• Use people analytics to inform strategy and decisions, measure impact.

Improve effectiveness of investments in People & Culture

• Serve as a visible, approachable leader, who supports employees with responsiveness, confidentiality and care; manage employee retention and reduce unwanted turnover.
• Manage employee performance for continuous improvements, measure engagement.
• Communicate compelling vision, create clarity and alignment across all Carroll employees.
• Deploy high-impact Total Rewards strategy, at best cost.

Expand effectiveness of Senior Leaders

• Partner with the Head of School to assess senior talent and improve SLT effectiveness.
• Coach senior leaders individually and collectively, be seen as a trusted partner.
• Improve collaboration, accountability, communication and decision-making across leadership teams, driving improvements to student outcomes and the family experience.
• Strengthen the leadership pipeline.

Champion Culture & Employee Experience

• Define, role model and reinforce Carroll's culture and values.
• Advance a workplace culture where all employees can do their best work and feel connected to Carroll's mission; nurture one School connection across all campuses and employee groups.
• Foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives, expand representation.

Ensure People & Culture (P&C) Operational Excellence & governance

• Oversee P&C Operations, compensation and benefits, HRIS and policies, measure efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations.
• Drive timely, accurate and efficient People Operations process.
• Develop the three members of the People & Culture Team.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Strong generalist background, including organization development and design, leader development, employee relations, recruitment, HR admin, benefits and compliance.
• 15+ years of progressive HR experience; school experience preferred.
• Experience embedding culture and diversity, equity and inclusion into operational fabric.
• Unwavering discretion and sound judgment in handling sensitive information.
• Bachelor’s degree required; SHRM certification preferred.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Target compensation is $180,000; range is $170,000 - 190,000

Exact salary offered is dependent on experience and demonstrated expertise