Job Description

Associate Director of Talent

Join Our “Relationships-First” Team:

We invite you to be a part of a team whose mission-aligned culture offers sustainable, rewarding career paths in teaching, operations, and leadership, built on collaboration and mutual support. Experience the difference at a workplace that celebrates and cultivates each team member’s passions, skills and multi-disciplinary interests as we build a brighter future together, one student at a time.

Why Educators Choose S2:

• A “Relationships-First” culture where you’re valued, supported, and included
• Collaborative planning time and mutual support
• Opportunities to lead initiatives that strengthen student growth at every stage of their PreK–12 education
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including offering a competitive compensation package, including a strong benefits program and a 401(k) with a 6% organizational match
• A bilingual, community-rooted model serving Washington Heights and Inwood including a pantry partnership, Bachata Nights, multicultural festivals, and a reading initiative.

Our Associate Director of Talent:

Our Central Office at School in the Square exists to support and strengthen our schools: our Early Childhood Center, our Elementary School, our Middle School, and our growing High School (9th through 11th for SY 26-27). The Central Office is responsible for delivering high quality academic, operational, talent, human resources, financial, and community engagement services and resources that enable school leaders and teachers to focus on student learning and success. We are looking for dedicated, mission-aligned Central Office staff who will work closely with school-based staff to provide guidance, resources, and problem solving support that will advance instructional quality, organizational effectiveness, and student outcomes.

School in the Square is seeking an Associate Director of Talent to collaborate with the Talent and Human Resources team to ensure talent and human resource resources and services are provided to the School in the Square staff. The Associate Director of Talent will report to our Chief Operating Officer, and drive key talent and human resources processes and initiatives including but not limited to the hiring process, the teaching certification process and performance management support for schools and the Central Office. This person must maintain a high bar of expectations and have a sense of urgency while appearing calm and approachable in all situations. A high degree of professionalism and confidentiality is critical in this role.

Who You Are:

• Competencies and Attributes:
  • Strategic thinker who has a proven track record of resolving complex problems anchored in a high level of integrity and judgment.
  • Highly organized, conscientious and execution oriented, including exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  • Comfortable and successful in navigating ambiguity and complexity.
  • Collaborative mindset where they use strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to actively partner with peers and stakeholders to share ideas and listen to diverse perspectives to align on and make decisions.
  • Deep alignment with organizational values and mission.
• Experience and Background:
  • Proven experience in talent acquisition, staff training, performance management, or other related fields in a school setting. NYS charter school experience preferred.
  • A graduate of a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business, Education or relevant content area preferred. .
  • Knowledge of performance management systems and managerial best practices.
  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
  • Comfortability to take initiative and be resourceful; working both independently and collaboratively.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute and advance the School in the Square talent acquisition strategy to attract and hire diverse and high-quality talent for instructional and non-instructional roles organization-wide. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Leading the full recruitment and hiring cycle for all roles;
  • Track and analyze hiring metrics to advance the hiring strategy;
  • Train and oversee hiring managers implementing equitable hiring practices and processes; and
  • Collaborate with hiring managers to analyze retention trends and forecast staff return commitments, informing strategic staff planning for the upcoming school years.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Communications on creating compelling recruitment marketing materials and School in the Square branding strategies.
• Partner with Principals to identify staffing risks and needs, and implement proactive and supportive performance management strategies.
• Oversee and implement the School in the Square Teacher Certification Program.
  • This includes but is not limited to ensuring all applicable teachers are enrolled in and compliant with obtaining their NYS teaching certification by providing them with guidance, resources and support.
• Lead the human resources onboarding process for new hires.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Human Resources on human resources processes and initiatives, including but not limited to offboarding processes, compensation policies and initiatives, and retention strategies.

What Can You Expect From Us

At S2, we take as much care of our staff as we do of our students. S2 is committed to supporting our staff by helping them build sustainable, rewarding careers that center on each individual’s passions and multi-disciplinary interests. All of our faculty and staff are valued professionals and we are proud to provide team-building and collaboration, comfortable and friendly working conditions and more, to ensure our team members have the tools they need to succeed.

In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, School in the Square provides competitive salaries. Expected salary range for this role is $90,000 - $120,000, depending on experience, level of education, required certifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.

Additionally, we provide opportunities for supplemental compensation, an excellent benefits package with:

• a 401K program with a 6% organizational match
• 93% coverage of healthcare coverage
• longevity bonus
• generous paid time off
• and a supportive work environment.

School in the Square understands specific groups are subject to marginalization. We believe these powerful groups should be centered in our community and are highly encouraged to apply. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.