Head of Employee Relations & HR Compliance

Overview

Middletown Public Schools is seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Manager of Human Resources to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the district’s human resources operations. This is a key cabinet-level administrative role supporting all aspects of personnel management in a fast-paced, high-impact public education environment.

The Manager of Human Resources will lead core HR functions including employee and labor relations, recruitment and onboarding, performance management, compliance, investigations, retention, and organizational development. The successful candidate will supervise HR staff, support district leadership in workforce planning and policy implementation, and serve as a trusted advisor on complex personnel matters and labor relations.

This position plays a critical role in maintaining a positive, compliant, and effective organizational culture while ensuring alignment with district goals and strategic priorities. The role requires strong leadership, sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive and high-stakes matters with professionalism.

Total Compensation

$151,000 annually

Benefits

An exceptional and comprehensive benefits package is offered, including robust health insurance options, retirement benefits, paid leave, and additional district-supported programs designed to promote employee wellbeing and long-term career stability.

This is a unique opportunity to join a collaborative and fast-moving leadership team committed to excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement in service of students, staff, and the community.

Duties

Serves as a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet and participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of district goals, initiatives, policies, and strategic priorities.

Provides strategic leadership and oversight for the District's human resources functions, including employee relations, labor relations, recruitment, onboarding, retention, performance management, investigations, compliance, and organizational development.

Supervises, directs, coaches, and evaluates Human Resources personnel and ensures the effective operation of the Human Resources Department.

Develops, reviews, recommends, implements, and monitors human resources policies, administrative regulations, procedures, programs, and practices consistent with district objectives and applicable laws.

Advises the Superintendent, Cabinet members, administrators, and supervisors regarding personnel matters, employment law, labor relations, organizational issues, and risk management strategies.

Serves as a member of management's collective bargaining team and participates in labor negotiations, contract administration, grievance resolution, mediation, arbitration, and labor-management meetings.

Researches, develops, analyzes, and recommends collective bargaining proposals, contract language, memoranda of agreement, and related labor relations documents.

Interprets and administers collective bargaining agreements and advises administrators regarding contractual obligations, employee rights, and management responsibilities.

Facilitates labor-management committees, collaborative problem-solving processes, and other joint meetings intended to promote effective labor relations and organizational effectiveness.

Conducts and oversees investigations involving employee misconduct, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, workplace complaints, policy violations, and other personnel matters.

Serves as the District's lead investigator for (staff) complaints involving Title VII, adult Title IX matters, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and related workplace concerns.

Conducts interviews, gathers evidence, assesses credibility, prepares investigative reports, develops findings, and recommends corrective actions or other resolutions.

Coordinates with legal counsel, regulatory agencies, and external investigators regarding employment-related matters when appropriate.

Consults and collaborates with legal counsel regarding personnel matters, labor relations issues, investigations, employee discipline, policy interpretation, litigation, administrative complaints, arbitration matters, and employment law compliance.

Coordinates the collection, review, and preparation of documentation, records, witness statements, investigative materials, and other information required for legal review, administrative proceedings, arbitration hearings, litigation, and regulatory matters.

Oversees employee disciplinary processes and assists administrators in addressing performance concerns, misconduct allegations, corrective action plans, and employment actions.

Provides executive coaching, consultation, and guidance to administrators, supervisors, and managers regarding employee relations, workplace conflict, performance management, investigations, labor relations, and personnel decision-making.

Assists administrators and supervisors in planning and conducting performance feedback discussions, corrective action meetings, disciplinary conferences, investigatory interviews, grievance meetings, and other sensitive employee interactions.

Advises district leadership regarding organizational risks associated with personnel decisions and recommends strategies that promote legal compliance, consistency, accountability, effective communication, and positive employee relations.

Develops communication strategies, corrective action plans, management approaches, and related resources to support administrators in addressing complex personnel matters.

Assists in the recruitment, selection, appointment, transfer, promotion, and retention of employees throughout the District.

Oversees employee onboarding, orientation, and employment processes to ensure compliance and effective integration of new employees.

Leads organizational initiatives designed to improve employee engagement, retention, workplace culture, succession planning, workforce effectiveness, and organizational performance.

Develops, coordinates, and delivers training programs for administrators, supervisors, and employees regarding employment laws, labor relations, workplace investigations, harassment prevention, employee performance management, contract administration, and other human resources topics.

Designs and supports leadership development initiatives that strengthen supervisory practices, employee accountability, communication skills, conflict resolution, and organizational effectiveness.

Monitors compliance with federal and state employment laws, regulations, reporting requirements, Board policies, and administrative procedures.

Conducts compliance reviews and audits of personnel practices, employment procedures and human resources programs and recommends corrective actions as necessary.

Oversees processes related to employee leave administration, reasonable accommodations, ADA compliance, FMLA compliance, and related personnel matters.

Oversees and coordinates the District's workers' compensation program, including claim management, return-to-work processes, communication with third-party administrators, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Analyzes workforce data, staffing trends, employee relations issues, and organizational needs and develops recommendations supporting district goals and operational effectiveness.

Prepares reports, recommendations, Board agenda items, presentations, correspondence, and other materials related to human resources operations and strategic initiatives.

Collaborates with administrators to develop strategies that support employee engagement, retention, professional growth, accountability, and organizational effectiveness.

Represents the District in meetings, hearings, mediations, arbitrations, administrative proceedings and other employment-related matters as assigned.

Maintains confidential personnel records and information in accordance with legal requirements and professional standards.

Travels between district locations, training sites, meetings, hearings, and other work-related locations as required.

Maintains regular and reliable attendance and performs duties within established timelines and professional standards.

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Experience

Human resources management: 5 years (Required)

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