Director, Talent Strategy and Engagement at Leadership for Educational Equity
colleen...@educationalequity.org
Travel Requirements: 20%
About Leadership for Educational Equity
Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan leadership development organization dedicated to developing its members’ potential to ensure every child has the opportunity to receive an outstanding education.
Our kids and communities need more leaders who believe that educational inequity is a solvable problem. We believe that when our members are organized and reach positions of leadership, they’ll serve as a transformative force for students, communities and the broader movement for educational equity.
LEE is a diverse team of passionate and talented individuals committed to making a difference. We are a high-growth, results-oriented organization that operates in an entrepreneurial environment deeply invested in continuous improvement. If you would like to become part of our team and join the fight for educational equity, or if you would simply like to learn more about what we do, please visit http://educationalequity.org/careers.
Position Summary
The Talent, Learning, Culture (TLC) team drives and sustains the impact of LEE as an employer of choice through acquiring, engaging, and developing high quality, high potential, future-oriented, diverse talent. This team is responsible for talent recruitment, selection and onboarding, staff performance management, and professional development, as well as building an organization-wide culture based on our core values, talent and mission.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Talent Strategy + Engagement, the Director, Talent Strategy + Engagement partners with a portfolio of departments towards building a strong, engaged culture, increasing cultural competence and dexterity, and monitoring and assessing our ability to live our principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The successful candidate approaches their work through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens and works across the LEE enterprise to support and refine employee engagement strategies, performance management, employee relations and grievance, and partnering with business units on their long-term structures that support impact in our work to end educational inequity.
The successful candidate seeks to embody LEE’s core values (Leadership, Collective Action, Meaningful Impact, All Voices, Continuous Learning, and Member Driven) with a deep belief in LEE’s principles of DEI. Additionally, the successful candidate will demonstrate and exhibit the following competencies in their day-to-day work:
- Building Relationships and Networks: Develops and cultivates beneficial internal and external relationships and networks in order to achieve results
- Influencing Others to Achieve Outcomes: Draws on understanding of others to achieve desired outcomes and inspires action through shaping beliefs and behaviors
- Making Decisions and Demonstrating Judgment: Uses appropriate breadth and depth of context and data to make sensible and timely decisions, and displays sound judgment when faced with opportunities/challenges
- Defining the Opportunity/Problem: Identifies and systematically prioritizes opportunities to pursue and problems to solve
- Synthesizing, Integrating, and Developing Strategies: Makes connections between previously unrelated notions and integrates findings into meaningful and actionable strategies or solutions
Responsibilities:
- Provides highly responsive service partnership to business units by responding to talent-related inquiries, anticipating needs and checking-in with business units before they inquire, being physically present with the business unit on a regular basis, and attending their meetings, retreats, and events;
- Consults with business unit managers and provides talent guidance and advice, including guidance and interpretation of employment policies and practices;
- Analyzes trends and metrics (e.g., employee turnover, engagement) to develop solutions, programs and policy recommendations;
- Manages, resolves or prevents complex employee relations issues and conducts effective, thorough and objective investigations when necessary;
- Provides day-to-day performance management guidance to managers in alignment with DEI principles (coaching, counseling, career development, disciplinary actions);
- Works closely with management and employees to improve departmental engagement, build morale, create inclusive cultures, and increase productivity, retention, and development;
- Provides guidance and input on business unit restructures, workforce planning and succession planning;
- Identifies training needs for business units and individual coaching needs;
- Works with department heads to determine staffing needs;
- Meets with other Talent Engagement partners on a regular basis to compare challenges, share innovative practices, and ensure consistent delivery of services;
- Meets with functional TLC team members (Talent Acquisition, Talent Equity + Operations, Development and Inclusion) on a regular basis to ensure consistent alignment with talent standards;
- Supports the delivery of key talent initiatives, such as the year-end performance and compensation review process; and
- Maintains in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance, and partners with general counsel as necessary.
Specifically, key components of this role include:
- 35%: Talent Partnerships
- 20%: Talent Management
- 20%: Talent Engagement
- 15% - Learning + Development
- 10% - Special Projects
Minimum Qualifications:
- Five years of experience in designing, leading, and managing development programs for diverse talent
- BA/BS degree in Business, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Social Work, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
- Previous experience coaching others and creating tools and resources to achieve ambitious results
- Demonstrated record of project management, executing at a high level to achieve results, and extraordinary attention to detail
- Demonstrated skills in influencing and relationship-building with clients, partners, and people from various backgrounds and cultures
- Team player with effective communications skills, high tolerance for ambiguity, and the ability to work effectively in a rapidly changing environment
- Effective analytical skills with ability to translate metrics, research, and trends into strategy
- Ability to travel up to 20% in order to support organizational constituents
- Working knowledge of all human resource disciplines, including organizational design, coaching/employee relations, performance management, compensation/benefits, diversity and inclusion, and federal/state employment laws
- Deep passion for and alignment with LEE’s vision of supporting the movement to end educational inequity
Preferred Qualifications:
- SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification
- Previous experience interpreting HR law and working in employee relations
- A minimum of five years’ experience in an HR Business Partner capacity
- Previous experience as an HR leader in an education non-profit
Benefits and Salary
Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.
An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity
Leadership for Educational Equity is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation and national origin. We reasonably accommodate staff members and/or applicants with disabilities, provided they are otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job.
An affirmative action equal opportunity employer.
The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.