Co-Director of Human Resources (Temporary)

Position: Co-Director of Human Resources (Temporary)

Department: Human Resources

Location: Caroline Saltonstall Building, Milton Academy Campus, Milton, MA

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00, some flexibility required

FLSA: Exempt

Classification: Staff (12-month)

Salary Range: $120,000 to $150,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications

Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located just south of Boston.

Milton Academy cultivates in its students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Embracing diversity and the pursuit of excellence, we create a community in which individuals develop competence, confidence and character. Our active learning environment, in and out of the classroom, develops creative and critical thinkers, unafraid to express their ideas, prepared to seek meaningful lifetime success and to live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”

Summary of Position:

Milton Academy seeks a Co-Director of Human Resources for a temporary appointment during the 2026-27 year. This role will provide leadership and operational oversight of the School's Human Resources department during the implementation of Workday, a new HR and payroll platform.

Working closely with the current Director of Human Resources, who will be focused on the Workday implementation, the Co-Director will focus on the seamless operation and effectiveness of core HR functions, provide leadership and support to the HR team, partner with school leaders to advance strategic HR initiatives across the school, and oversee and revise the school's recruitment, hiring, and onboarding strategy and process. The Co-Director will also be asked to provide the current Director with insight about potential improvements to the department's practices and organizational structure.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to lead a dedicated team during a period of transformation while supporting a vibrant educational community.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

The Co-Director of Human Resources will oversee the school's core human resources functions, including all team members, during this temporary appointment. The Co-Director will also play a key role in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding, serving as the school's strategic recruiting manager. The current Director of Human Resources will focus on Workday implementation and employee relations needs and issues.

Therefore, the Co-Director will be focused on the following:

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for the Human Resources Department, partnering with the HR team to ensure the effective delivery of services and programs across the employee lifecycle, including:
  • Payroll and employee benefits administration
  • Administration of Milton's retirement plans
  • Compensation programs, including salary benchmarking, annual reappointments, and compensation communications
  • Performance review system
  • New employee onboarding and orientation
  • Employee offboarding and exit processes
  • Compliance and required training programs
  • Recruitment and hiring policies, procedures, and practices
  • Employee wellness initiatives
  • Personnel records management
  • Background checks and pre-employment screening
  • Internal employee communications

• Lead and support recruitment and hiring efforts in collaboration with the HR team and hiring managers, including workforce planning, proactive recruiting and sourcing, interviewing, candidate communications, offer management, and onboarding.
  • Develop recommendations to shift from a reactive recruitment approach to a proactive recruitment strategy. Recommend processes and structures that improve hiring outcomes and support the school's future staffing needs.
  • Partner with principals, department leaders, and hiring managers to identify staffing needs, develop recruitment strategies, and support long term workforce planning.

• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices are documented, communicated, and administered in accordance with legal requirements and HR best practices.
• Partner with the Leadership Team to promote and strengthen Milton Academy's culture and values. Provide coaching and support to managers when employee behavior or performance is inconsistent with institutional expectations.
• Serve as a trusted resource to managers and supervisors by providing guidance on human resources policies, practices, and employee management issues.
• Collaborate with the Chief Financial and Operating Officer and the Business Office to develop and implement compensation and benefits strategies that support the School’s goals and attract and retain talented employees.
• Partner with the Controller's Office to ensure the accurate and timely exchange of compensation, benefits, payroll, and personnel data.
• Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of workforce data and metrics, including staffing, recruitment, retention, compensation, benefits, employee engagement, and compliance reporting. Use data to inform decision making and support organizational goals.
• Maintain expertise in federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. Monitor emerging trends and regulatory developments, assess their impact on the School, and provide guidance to leadership and employees as appropriate.
• Other related responsibilities as assigned.

Supervision to be received: Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Supervision to be exercised: Benefits Administrator, Payroll Administrator, and Human Resources Assistant and Recruitment Coordinator, and other part-time staff and interns

Education

Required:

• Bachelor's degree

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in human resources or business administration
• HR certification (PHR/SPHR or SHRM CP/SCP)

Experience

Required:

• At least 10 years of progressive professional experience, including a minimum of 7 years in human resources.
• Experience managing a team.
• Demonstrated success in leadership and people management roles, including supervising and developing HR staff, leading cross-functional initiatives, and partnering with senior leaders to advance organizational goals.
• Proven experience leading organizational change and guiding teams through periods of transition with effective communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.

Preferred:

• Experience working in an independent school or in higher education.
• Experience working with educators.
• Experience with Massachusetts compliance requirements.

Competencies

Required:

• Knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and HR best practices
• Proficiency in Workday, ADP or similar HRIS platforms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks in a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituencies.
• Understanding of confidentiality and related issues.
• Receptive to supervision and professional development.
• Desire to be a part of a dynamic educational community.
• Demonstrated computer expertise, including proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Physical Abilities:

Required:

• Must be able to work at a computer for up to 8 hours each day in conjunction with OSHA requirements.
• Must be able to move around the Milton Academy campus without restriction.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and inform your supervisor as soon as possible.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this job description; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

Milton Academy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of any category protected by federal, state, or local law, including but not limited to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship or national or ethnic origin.