Organizational Overview

Rocketship Education (www.rsed.org) is a network of public K through 5 charter schools serving primarily low-income students in neighborhoods where access to excellent schools is limited. Using a blend of traditional instruction, adaptive technology and targeted tutoring, Rocketship strives to meet the unique needs of each and every student. But we believe that truly transformative schools do more than educate students; they empower teachers, engage parents and inspire communities. Together, we can eliminate the achievement gap in our lifetime.

Rocketship schools are located in San Jose, Nashville and Milwaukee, but we realize the achievement gap stretches across the nation. We’re opening new schools every year to help reach the millions of students striving in underperforming schools every day.

The Position

The Human Resources Program Manager is an exciting new position on Rocketship’s growing Human Resources (HR) team. The HR Program Manager will work closely with the Senior Director of HR to support the effectiveness of HR strategies for the central office and our schools. This key position will collaborate with the HR team and members of the broader organization on strategic projects and initiatives and monitor the progress of those initiatives. Specifically, s/he will be responsible for the implementation of Rocketship’s workforce engagement, inclusiveness, and retention initiatives. The HR Program Manager will also play a critical role in the design work of performance management systems and tools for the organization. This is a full-time, exempt position based in Redwood City, CA.

Key Responsibilities

Manage employee relations
• Manage and resolve complex employee relations issues, including conducting effective, thorough, and objective investigations.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Work closely with leadership and employees to improve working relationships, building morale, increasing productivity, and increasing retention.
• Provide positive quality communications and interactions with employees, supports strategic imperatives and delivers excellent internal and external customer satisfaction. Maintains an open door relationship with all employees.
• Act as the supporting point of contact for managers, providing expertise and guidance in the areas of organizational performance, performance management, culture and change management, and coaching.
• Assist managers with employee development programs. Guides employees and mentors management in developing plans and supporting development/training needs.
Support employee engagement initiatives
• Work with cross-functional teams to identify unique division needs while balancing the overall purpose and requirements of RSED’s employee engagement strategy.
• Conduct exit interviews per established procedures and recommends actions to management to address issues.
• Analyze turnover data and provide recommendations to decrease trends.
Develop and refine performance management tools and systems
• Build performance management systems and tools to support managers with team development and coaching.
• Monitor performance evaluations completion and reinforces requirements to management as necessary. Works with managers to complete Performance Improvement Plans and assists with communication to employees. Conducts follow-up to ensure plans are successfully completed. Recommends employment action if necessary.
• Coach business leaders on leadership behaviors and practices, employee communication, development and performance management strategies and tactics to promote engagement and a culture of continuous growth and development.
Serve as a key member of the HR team
• Participate in developing annual department goals/objectives, and assists in evaluation of reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals.
• Leverage all systems, tools, and resources to support completion of HR projects.
• Engage in recommending and implementing process changes- continuous improvement to drive efficiency.
• Keep a pulse on all employees to ensure we are delivering excellence in the employee experience.
• Other HR duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Strong experience in strategy, change management, project management and process improvement
• Bachelors’ degree; graduate degree in business, or policy preferred; consulting experience a plus
• 3-5 years related HR experience required with some demonstrated employee relations, preferred
• Deep commitment to Rocketship’s mission to eliminate the achievement gap in our lifetime
• Deep commitment to RSED employees and enhancing workplace culture and values
• Possess the core characteristics required of every Rocketeer-mission- driven, innovative, disciplined thinker, collaborative, and personally responsible
• Creative thinker who enjoys thinking outside of the box and having fun while doing it
• Ability to build trust, relationships and credibility quickly with people in various roles at all levels of the organization
• Ability to independently and effectively manage time in an environment with multiple work-streams and competing priorities
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, high-stakes relationships and engagements simultaneously with a high degree of personal accountability
• Ability to build and manage group culture and navigate complex group dynamics
• Ability to differentiate content/experiences to address local context and group-specific needs effectively
• Track record for delivering results through successful program design and implementation, ideally in a client facing, change management, or consulting role
• Team player with extraordinary communications skills, high tolerance for ambiguity and a rapidly changing environment
• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate metrics, research, and trends into strategy

How to apply

To apply please send resume and cover letter to jbarnett@rsed.org