Director of Human Resources

Job Purpose: As director, set the course and lead the comprehensive human resources function for Pomfret School, supporting all faculty and staff members. Act as a strategic partner to the school's leadership team by fostering a positive, equitable, and inclusive work environment. Guide the school through recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, benefits administration, and legal compliance.

Essential Functions & Duties: In alignment with the Pomfret School strategic priorities, set the HR’s mission and strategic goals, and implement best practices for school-wide human resources management

• Collaborate purposefully with the leadership team (Head of School, Associate Head of School, Dean of Faculty, CFO, etc.) on staffing, organizational planning, and school culture initiatives
• Supervise and mentor the Payroll Manager, overseeing the entire payroll function and implementing robust internal controls to guarantee processing accuracy and integrity
• Partner with the CFO to ensure the employee benefits and HR department budgets are appropriate, not exceeded, and spent wisely
• Lead the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding and offboarding process for staff
• Support Dean of Faculty on recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding process for faculty
• Manage annual reappointment letter process
• Administer and evaluate employee compensation and benefits programs, serving as the primary liaison with benefit brokers and providers
• Oversee employee relations, thoughtfully guiding conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and grievance procedures with empathy, fairness, and legal compliance
• Ensure school-wide compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations (e.g., FMLA, CTFLMA, ADA, OSHA)
• Maintain, update, and distribute the Employee Handbook and ensure external and internal correspondence regarding HR policies is clear and timely
• Develop and oversee staff performance evaluation systems and professional development training programs
• Stay current with programs, trends, and legal changes in the human resources and independent school fields, attending relevant local and national conferences
• Must adhere to all School policies as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Continually meet or exceed Pomfret School’s Standards of Behavior, Character, and Engagement
• Perform other duties as assigned

Position, Education/Certification and Software Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or relevant advanced degree preferred
• SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or HRCI (PHR/SPHR) certification is highly desirable
• Ideally five or more years of progressive HR leadership experience, preferably within an independent school, higher education, or non-profit setting
• Strong proficiency with HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems), payroll software, and standard office technology
• Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal labor laws and regulatory compliance
• Knowledge of and willingness to participate fully in the life of a vibrant boarding school community
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills; ability to coordinate tasks in a deadline-driven environment
• Absolute commitment to confidentiality, discretion, and professional integrity when handling sensitive employee information

Work Conditions:

• Works in an in-person environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts
• May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time