Description

Malden Catholic High School seeks a dynamic, strategic, and relationship-driven Director of Human Resources to build and lead a comprehensive HR function from the ground up. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor and “right hand” to the President, operating in a role similar to a Chief of Staff while overseeing all aspects of human resources.

This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on leader who is equally comfortable setting strategy and executing day-to-day HR operations in a mission-driven educational environment. The Director of HR must skillfully balance the relational and often delicate nature of a school setting with the operational and compliance needs of the institution—supporting both employees and students with professionalism, care, and sound judgment.

Malden Catholic serves approximately 1,040 students in grades 7–12 and employs approximately 125 faculty and staff members.

 
Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Partnership

Serve as a key member of the leadership team and primary HR advisor to the President
Act as a trusted thought partner on organizational structure, culture, and talent strategy
Contribute to and align HR strategy with the school’s long-term vision and priorities
Take time to learn, understand, and honor the unique culture and mission of the school
Work collaboratively across departments to support a cohesive and high-functioning community
Balance long-term strategic initiatives with daily operational HR needs
 
HR Function Development

Build and implement a comprehensive HR infrastructure from the ground up
Develop, write, and maintain a complete Employee Handbook outlining HR policies, practices, and expectations
Establish clear systems, processes, and best practices to bring structure, consistency, and accountability
Introduce scalable HR practices that support both current needs and future growth
 
Core Human Resources Oversight

(In partnership with a part-time HR team member)

Hiring Practices & Recruitment
Develop and oversee effective, equitable hiring practices
Lead full-cycle recruitment to attract, assess, and retain high-quality talent
Onboarding & Employee Experience
Design and implement a thoughtful onboarding and orientation experience
Ensure new hires are successfully integrated into the school community
Compensation & Benefits Administration
Oversee compensation structure, benchmarking, and salary administration (excluding payroll processing)
Manage all aspects of benefits administration, including vendor relationships and employee support
HR Systems & ADP Oversight
Provide oversight of HR systems, including ADP, ensuring data integrity and effective utilization
Partner with payroll and finance functions as needed while maintaining clear role boundaries
Compliance & Policy Management
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
Maintain and update policies in alignment with legal requirements and best practices
Training & Professional Development
Design and implement training programs for faculty and staff
Support leadership development, career growth, and succession planning
Performance & Engagement
Develop and manage performance management systems
Lead employee engagement initiatives that strengthen culture and retention
Employee Relations
Serve as a trusted resource for employee relations and conflict resolution
Handle sensitive situations with discretion, fairness, and professionalism
Offboarding
Oversee structured and respectful offboarding processes
 
Important Note

This role does not include payroll processing responsibilities
 

Requirements

Qualifications

Proven experience in a senior HR leadership role
Demonstrated success building or transforming an HR function
Strong understanding of HR best practices, employment law, and organizational development
Ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a fast-paced environment
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity
Collaborative, approachable, and relationship-oriented leadership style
Ability to build trust and strong relationships across a diverse school community
Preferred but Not Required:

Experience working in an educational or nonprofit environment
 
Key Competencies

Strategic thinker with strong execution skills
Articulate and confident communicator
Highly organized and detail-oriented
Accessible, responsive, and community-focused
Skilled at balancing multiple priorities and stakeholders
Ability to be both “no-nonsense” and warm—setting clear expectations while remaining approachable
Flexible, nimble, and comfortable navigating ambiguity and change
Unflappable under pressure, with strong judgment and composure
Committed to collaboration and continuous improvement