Job Title: Director of Human Resources

Location: West Side Montessori School, New York City

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

December 2024

West Side Montessori School (WSMS) is a well-established and highly regarded preschool on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The school is growing and increasing programming to enroll approximately 250 children between the ages of three months and six years. As a leading practitioner of the Montessori approach, the school also has a growing teacher education program.  WSMS is accredited by the American Montessori Society and the New York State Association of Independent Schools.

West Side Montessori School celebrates diversity in its community of adults and children. Fair and equitable treatment of all community members is foundational to our culture of respect, diversity, and inclusion where relationships, productivity, and innovation can thrive. 

Job Summary: The Director of Human Resources at West Side Montessori School is a senior position, responsible for all aspects of the management of human resources and employee relations.

Reporting directly to and working closely with the Chief Financial Officer, this role involves ensuring that the Human Resource needs of the school’s employees are met, that the school complies with all Federal, State, and City regulations, and is maintaining best practices in all areas of human resource management.  The school operates in partnership with the Paychex PEO.

The Manager will demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion and have the skills to support faculty growth in this area. West Side Montessori School has created a strong sense of community among its diverse stakeholders.  The Director will play a key role in maintaining and building this community.

The Manager will join the school’s administration, a small, collegial team. They will be required to anticipate the school’s needs, engage constructively with colleagues, and contribute to the solution of challenges that arise.

Key Responsibilities:

1. HR/Payroll Administration: Handle day-to-day Human Resource operations, including the relationship with the school’s PEO, maintaining employee records, processing payroll, maintaining and updating job descriptions, managing HRIS systems, and producing annual salary letters. Ensure accuracy and integrity of HR data and reports. Support the Head of School and CFO with ad-hoc projects, as needed.
2. Recruitment and Onboarding: Facilitate the onboarding and offboarding of faculty and staff, including issuing employment letters of agreement and all clearance checks. Maintain onboarding documents and files. Assist with new employee orientation.
3. Employee Relations: Serve as a trusted resource for employees, handling inquiries, conflicts, and grievances in a fair and confidential manner. Foster a positive work environment through effective communication and conflict resolution. Manage updates to the Employee Handbook as necessary.
4. Benefits Administration: Administer employee benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other fringe benefits. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and effectively communicate benefit options to employees. Manage all FMLA, PFL, STD, LTD, and WC claims processing.
5. Compliance: Stay current with all Federal, State, and City employment laws and regulations. Develop and implement HR policies and procedures to maintain legal compliance and mitigate risk. Stay up to date and ensure compliance with NYC DOHMH Human Resource-related regulations. Ensure appropriate job classifications under FLSA.
6. Coordinate with Advisers and Auditors for annual Form 5500 analysis and reporting and 403(b) Retirement Plan Audit.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification is highly desirable
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google applications, and ChatGPT. Experience with FileMaker preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of HR experience, preferably in an educational or nonprofit setting.
• Thorough understanding of and ability to interpret and implement employment laws, procedures, and regulations.
• Willingness to learn HR-related requirements of a preschool operating in compliance with NYC DOHMH regulations.
• Experience working with a PEO (Paychex) is preferred.
• High level of attention to detail, with strong computer skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management abilities, and customer service-oriented demeanor.
• Enthusiasm to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all employees, management, and external agencies and vendors to maximize performance, solve problems, and achieve results.
• Ability to identify appropriate channels for handling employee concerns.
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism about employees and school information.
• Basic accounting knowledge as it relates to payroll and benefits.