Manager, Employee Relations

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

The Manager of Employee Relations will support the oversight of and guide the implementation of the policies, procedures, and programs of Uncommon’s Employee Relations function; help foster a positive employee experience; ensure compliance with internal and legal policies; further the organization's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; promote the overall health of the organization and mitigate risk. They will serve as a thought partner to the Director, Employee Relations and Policy and as a strategic partner to the Talent Teams and school leadership. Day-to-day operations include employee relations, policy development, implementation and compliance, workforce data analysis, and other related tasks.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Employee Relations

• Communicates with leaders, managers and employees regarding employee relations concerns promptly and effectively, and provides guidance and recommendations for the resolution of issues
• Counsels leaders, managers and employees on concerns related to applicable Equal Employment Opportunity laws including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and other similar federal and state laws
• Conducts workplace investigations
• Assists and trains managers and leaders in understanding and implementing Uncommon policies and practices related to performance, subject area, and related topics
• Advises and helps train managers on key employee relations topics (e.g. effective coaching and management, documentation, and corrective action)
• Maintains Employee Relations dashboard, engages in data analysis, and reports on data to key partners in order to promote the objectives of the team
• Coordinates and recommends next steps for other team members - verbal and written - around employee relations
• Escalates issues to senior leadership, collects input, and drives next steps
• Provides daily ERP support to our employees and managers, utilizing customer service ticketing systems (Zendesk), knowledge library, and other resources
• Maintains, develops, recommends, and implements employee relations program objectives, policies, and procedures
• Supports the development of new goals and objectives for improvement in areas of employee relations and in service of org-wide priorities.

HR Policy Implementation

• Supports the organization in complying with legal mandates and HR policies to ensure the health of the organization
• Communicates and documents policies and practices clearly and consistently to staff and managers
• Ensures network-wide adoption of policies and practices by responding to feedback and assisting with in implementation.
• Performs and/or coordinates the research of new policies to be responsive to changing environment
• Finds opportunities to improve HR policies with the use of data and research and proposes solutions to gaps and/or challenges

Workforce Data and Analysis

• Collects and assesses HR and school-based data to identify trends and opportunities in employee relations program
• Uses data to ensure employee relations program furthers Uncommon’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

• BA required
• 5-7 years of work experience, 3-5 years of HR Generalist and Employee Relations experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. - Experience with labor relations and employment law
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable guidelines and policies
• Thorough understanding/experience in dispute resolution
• Ability to remain tactful, calm, and persuasive in controversial and/or confrontational situations.
• Experience with Workday preferred
• Professional Human Resources (PHR) certification preferred
• Some knowledge of employment law in NY, NJ, and/or Massachusetts
• Above average knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent. [same for all roles]

Compensation 

Compensation for this role is between $103,600 to $121,900. 

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. If you meet all job description requirements you will likely receive an offer of $109,700. 

Benefits

• 19 days of paid time off
• 3 weeks of paid Winter and Summer org-wide holidays
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
• Pre-tax flexible spending, dependent care, and health saving accounts

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].