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Director of Human Resources

UNIS

  • New York
  • 2 days ago

    Highlights

    Under the auspices of the United Nations and guided by its ideals, The United Nations International School (UNIS) provides an inclusive and diverse learning environment in which rigorous international programs foster academic excellence, innovation, creativity, and cross-cultural communication to educate and inspire its students to become an active force in shaping a better world: peaceful, compassionate, and sustainable. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director serves as a member of the School’s senior leadership team and provides guidance and advice to the Executive Director and other senior leaders on employment, labor relations, organizational, and workforce matters.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationNew York
    Websitehttps://www.unis.org/belonging-at-unis/employment

    Description

    DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
    Job Title:     Director of Human Resources
    Job Type: 2026–2027, Full-Time, Exempt
    Non-Union Position
    As of September 21, 2026

    Under the auspices of the United Nations and guided by its ideals, The United Nations International School (UNIS) provides an inclusive and diverse learning environment in which rigorous international programs foster academic excellence, innovation, creativity, and cross-cultural communication to educate and inspire its students to become an active force in shaping a better world: peaceful, compassionate, and sustainable.

    UNIS fosters a collaborative culture where all members of the community work collectively to meet the mission and goals of the School. At the heart of the School’s mission and the driving force in its institutional and instructional decisions is the belief that all students are provided the opportunity to learn with the most inclusive learning experience, with educational excellence and equity. Faculty and staff use a whole-child approach to ensure students’ social, emotional, and academic needs are met for student success.

    Role Summary
    The Director of Human Resources provides strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of the School’s human resources function. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director serves as a member of the School’s senior leadership team and provides guidance and advice to the Executive Director and other senior leaders on employment, labor relations, organizational, and workforce matters.
     
    The Director is responsible for overseeing employee and labor relations, recruitment and retention, compensation and benefits, performance management, HR operations and systems, immigration and employment authorization matters, leave administration, policy development, and compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations.
     
    The successful candidate will combine sound judgment and discretion with a collaborative, hands-on approach to human resources leadership. Experience in an educational environment is highly desirable but not required.

    Essential Duties
    The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Leads the School’s human resources function, including recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, benefits administration, payroll coordination, HRIS management, employee records, and HR audits.
    • Serves as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director and senior leadership on personnel, organizational, and workforce matters.
    • Manages employee and labor relations, including employee concerns, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, disciplinary matters, and other sensitive personnel issues.
    • Interprets and administers the School’s collective bargaining agreement and advises management on labor-related matters.
    • Develops, reviews, implements, and communicates HR policies, procedures, employee handbooks, and related documentation.
    • Ensures compliance with applicable federal, New York State, and New York City employment laws and regulations.
    • Oversees immigration and employment authorization matters, including visa matters, permanent residency matters, Form I-9 compliance, and related documentation.
    • Prepares and administers employment agreements and maintains appropriate personnel documentation.
    • Oversees employee benefits programs and relationships with benefits providers, brokers, and other external partners.
    • Administers employee leave programs, including FMLA, New York Paid Family Leave, disability, sick leave, and other applicable leaves.
    • Partners with School leadership on compensation strategy, performance management, annual reviews, and organizational planning.
    • Advises managers on employee performance, personnel matters, and effective management practices.
    • Consults with employment counsel and other external advisors as appropriate.
    • Oversees required employment reporting and filings, including EEO-related compliance.
    • Partners with the CFO and Finance Office on payroll, benefits, audits, reporting, and other matters requiring coordination between Human Resources and Finance.
    • Supports employee wellness and other initiatives that contribute to an effective and professional workplace.
    • Maintains current knowledge of developments in employment law, human resources practices, benefits, labor relations, and other areas relevant to the School.
    • Participates in School committees, institutional initiatives, and special projects as needed.

    Other Duties
    • Performs other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
    • Maintains the highest standards of confidentiality and discretion when handling employee, compensation, benefits, legal, and other sensitive information.
    • Represents the Human Resources Department and UNIS in a professional, collaborative, and service-oriented manner.
    • Respects and promotes the diversity, culture, and customs of all UNIS stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, parents/caregivers, vendors, visitors, and guests of the School.
    • Supports the School’s mission, values, policies, and commitment to an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment.

    Skills and Competencies
    • Demonstrated ability to provide strategic HR leadership while maintaining a hands-on and service-oriented approach to day-to-day operations.
    • Strong knowledge of employee and labor relations, employment law, benefits, compensation, performance management, recruitment, and HR operations.
    • Demonstrated experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements in a unionized environment.
    • Excellent judgment and discretion when handling sensitive, confidential, and complex personnel matters.
    • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of an organization.
    • Ability to advise senior leadership and managers on complex personnel and organizational matters.
    • Ability to manage workplace investigations, conflict resolution, disciplinary matters, and other employee relations issues with tact, fairness, and professionalism.
    • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines.
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and professional experiences.
    • Ability to interpret policies, procedures, employment agreements, and collective bargaining provisions and communicate them effectively to employees and managers.
    • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
    • Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues, senior leadership, and external partners.
    • Proactive, responsive, and adaptable approach to working in a fast-paced and complex international school environment.
    • Proficiency with HRIS, payroll, benefits, recruiting, and other HR-related systems and technology.
    • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when working with highly sensitive employee information.

    Education & Experience
    • A minimum of eight (8) to twelve (12) years of progressively responsible human resources experience, including significant HR leadership experience.
    • Demonstrated expertise in employee relations, employment law, benefits, compensation, performance management, recruitment, and HR operations.
    • Experience working in a unionized environment and administering a collective bargaining agreement.
    • Strong knowledge of applicable federal, New York State, and New York City employment laws and regulations.
    • Experience in an educational or similarly complex nonprofit environment highly desirable.
    • Master’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
    • SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.
    • Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership on employment, organizational, and workforce matters.
    • Experience managing relationships with employment counsel, benefits providers, brokers, and other external partners preferred.
    • Experience with HRIS, payroll, benefits, recruiting, and other human resources systems.
    • Experience working in a diverse, multicultural, and international environment highly desirable.

    Compensation
    Annual salary range: $185,000–$205,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

    Application
    All candidates must submit an electronic application via the school website: UNIS Employment. Supporting documentation, including a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references, must be uploaded to the electronic application.

    Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the search will remain open until the position is filled.

    In accordance with the guidelines of the International Taskforce on Child Protection, UNIS maintains rigorous recruitment and background-check practices designed to protect the safety and welfare of our students.

    Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

    Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job posting describes you, then please apply for this role.

    The United Nations International School provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, height, weight, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status, and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.


     

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