Please Note: This position is based in California and requires regular in-person presence at our Central Valley Regional Office in Stockton, as well as travel to Aspire Public Schools campuses throughout Modesto, Stockton, and Sacramento to support teammates, school leaders and regional initiatives.
ABOUT ASPIRE
Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.
Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.
JOB SUMMARY
The Human Resources Manager serves as the strategic Human Resources Business Partner for a designated portfolio of Central Valley schools. Reporting to the Head of Human Resources, this position partners closely with school leaders, the Central Valley Leadership Team, Central Office departments, and external partners to provide strategic Human Resources consultation and operational support across the employee lifecycle.
The Human Resources Manager provides leadership in Employee Relations, compliance, talent management, teammate development, workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, Human Resources analytics, and Human Resources operations. The position serves as a trusted advisor to leaders by coaching through complex employment matters, developing proactive people strategies, strengthening leadership effectiveness, minimizing organizational risk, and fostering a positive workplace culture that supports Aspire's mission and strategic priorities.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Strategic Human Resources Partnership
- Serve as the strategic Human Resources Business Partner for a designated portfolio of Central Valley schools by partnering with school leaders and the Central Valley Leadership Team to support organizational priorities and student outcomes.
- Build trusted partnerships with school leaders, Home Office departments, and external partners to deliver strategic Human Resources consultation and operational excellence.
- Provide guidance and consultation on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, change management, policy interpretation, and Human Resources best practices.
- Partner with the Head of Human Resources to implement strategic People Team initiatives and support organizational priorities.
Employee Relations & Compliance
- Serve as the regional lead for Employee Relations by managing workplace concerns from intake through resolution.
- Conduct prompt, thorough, and impartial workplace investigations involving employee misconduct, policy violations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other workplace concerns.
- In partnership with Head of HR, prepare investigative reports, findings, recommendations, corrective action documentation, Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), administrative leave documentation, separation recommendations, and other employment-related correspondence.
- Coach school leaders on performance management, documentation, progressive discipline, accommodations, leaves of absence, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and effective leadership practices.
- Analyze Employee Relations trends, investigation outcomes, and workforce data to identify organizational risks, recommend proactive solutions, and strengthen leadership practices.
- Develop, implement, and facilitate Employee Relations training, resources, and preventative initiatives based on organizational trends, compliance requirements, and business needs.
- Partner with Legal and the Head of Human Resources on complex employment matters, agency complaints, litigation support, and legally sensitive employment decisions.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, Aspire policies, and Human Resources best practices.
- Support voluntary and involuntary separations, exit processes, and retention initiatives while promoting a respectful and legally compliant workplace.
Talent Management & Workforce Planning
- Partner with the Director of Talent, Director of Residency, and school leaders to support workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, teammate development, and retention initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Director of Talent and Director of Residency to strengthen teammate career pathways, leadership pipelines, succession planning, residency programs, and internal mobility opportunities.
- Analyze recruitment, retention, turnover, and vacancy data to identify workforce trends and recommend talent strategies, and report out on this data quarterly to leadership teams and occasionally board members.
- Consult with leaders regarding school staffing structures, job descriptions needs, and workforce planning.
- Support onboarding initiatives that strengthen teammate engagement, culture, and long-term retention.
Leadership Development & Organizational Effectiveness
- Partner with the Head of Human Resources to develop, implement, and maintain an annual Human Resources training calendar aligned with regional priorities, compliance requirements, and leadership development goals.
- In partnership with the Head of Human Resources, design, develop, coordinate, and facilitate Human Resources training, including HR Essentials, Employee Relations, workplace investigations, documentation, performance management, California employment law, policy implementation, leadership development, and other Human Resources initiatives.
- Assess regional learning needs and implement coaching and development strategies that strengthen leadership effectiveness.
- Lead regional Human Resources initiatives, cross-functional projects, and continuous improvement efforts that enhance operational effectiveness and teammate experience.
- Develop and analyze Human Resources dashboards, metrics, and workforce analytics related to Employee Relations, vacancies, turnover, engagement, investigations, and compliance to support strategic decision-making.
- Present Human Resources trends, workforce insights, and recommendations to senior leadership as appropriate.
- Demonstrate and promote Aspire's values of Bienestar, Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.
Human Resources Operations
- Perform a broad range of Human Resources Generalist responsibilities while providing strategic consultation and operational support throughout the employee lifecycle.
- Partner with Payroll, Benefits, Talent, Residency, Credentialing, Finance, Legal, and other Central Office departments to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant Human Resources services.
- Maintain employee records as appropriate, Human Resources documentation, employment transactions, and operational processes in accordance with legal requirements and organizational policies.
- Maintain confidentiality while exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion in all Human Resources matters.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Serves as the strategic Human Resources Business Partner for a designated portfolio of Central Valley schools.
- Leads Employee Relations, leadership coaching, workplace investigations, compliance, workforce planning, and Human Resources operations.
- Partners with the Director of Talent and Director of Residency to strengthen teammate development, leadership pipelines, succession planning, and career pathways.
- Utilizes Human Resources metrics and Employee Relations trend analysis to drive proactive organizational improvements and strategic decision-making. Page 3
- Develops and delivers Human Resources training that builds leadership capacity, minimizes organizational risk, and promotes consistent employment practices.
- Partners with school leaders to foster a positive workplace culture, improve teammate engagement, and advance organizational effectiveness.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, Education, or a related field required.
- Master's degree and/or SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
Experience
- Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience in Employee Relations, workplace investigations, leadership coaching, talent management, Human Resources operations, and organizational development.
- Experience supporting multiple school sites or a multi-site organization preferred.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying California employment law and Human Resources best practices.
- Experience developing and facilitating leadership training and organizational development initiatives preferred.
Competencies
- Deep knowledge of California employment law and Employee Relations practices.
- Strong workplace investigation, conflict resolution, and coaching skills.
- Ability to build trusted relationships and influence leaders at all levels.
- Experience using Human Resources data and analytics to identify trends and support strategic decision-making.
- Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills.
- Strong organizational, project management, and change management skills.
- Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
- Commitment to Aspire's mission, values, and culture.
Physical requirements:
- Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
- Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
- Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
- Communicating with others to exchange information.
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
Work authorization requirements:
- Clear the Department of Justice background screening
- Authorized to work in the United States
- Provide health (TB) clearance (must update every four years)
Compensation:
Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammate's well-being! In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools, we offer employees exceptional benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program. Our salary schedule based on years of experience for this position type is reflected here:
Aspire Public Schools HR Manager Salary Schedule linked here
Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Aspire promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.
