Citizens of the World Los Angeles

Director, People, and HR Team

Position: Director, People and HR

Location: Los Angeles, California

Reports to: Head of DEIB, People and HR

Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Exempt

Work Class: Classified

Capacity: Full-Time

Salary range: $115,000-$145,000

About Citizens of the World Los Angeles

The mission of Citizens of the World Los Angeles (CWC LA) is to provide a socio-economically, culturally, and racially diverse community of students in Los Angeles with an intellectually challenging, experiential learning environment that develops each student's confidence, potential, and individual responsibility as citizens of the world. CWC LA schools develop students’ social and emotional skills to prepare them to become citizens of the world, and we promote academic rigor through a constructivist, project-based learning approach, to support and develop children’s natural intellectual curiosity. CWC LA enrolls a diverse student body that reflects the abundant diversity of the communities served by our schools.

On a grown path to serving more than 5,000 students in the coming years, CWC LA operates five charters:

• CWC Hollywood (TK-5th) operating since 2010.

• CWC Silver Lake (TK-8th) operating since 2012.

• CWC Mar Vista (TK-8th) operating since 2013.

• CWC West Valley (TK-4th) operating since 2020.

• CWC East Valley (TK-3rd) operating since 2021.

CWC LAhas a Regional Support Office (RSO) that supports all CWC LA schools. We work with our network partners at Citizens of the World Charter Schools (CWCS), linking the schools in Los Angeles to CWC schools in other parts of the country.

Our core values are embraced by the entire community:

• Excellence:We demand lasting quality.

• Diversity:We are better and stronger because of our differences.

• Authenticity: We are our true selves in this work, and we are candid.

• Community:We care deeply about people. We share and build partnerships. We celebrate, laugh, and seek joy, even in the tough times.

• Change:We welcome the unknown, embracing the unexpected and new. We adapt to meet the ever-changing times. We find new ways.

Job Overview and Summary

The Director, People and HR will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our charter management organization by leading our talent acquisition, human resources, and performance management strategies. This individual will be instrumental in fostering a culture of excellence, equity, and continuous improvement. As a key member of our leadership team, the Director, People and HR will drive strategic initiatives to attract, develop, and sustain top talent, ensuring our staff is empowered and aligned with our mission to deliver outstanding educational outcomes.

Key Buckets of Work

HR Operations and Compliance:

• Ensure HR operations are efficient, effective, and compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements.

• Streamline HR processes and systems for scalability and improved staff experience.

• Engage in direct support of HR-related workstreams such as employee relations, investigations, policy creation, and compliance work.

Strategic Management of People and HR Team:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive team strategy that aligns with the organization’s strategic goals and educational mission.

• Lead workforce planning efforts, identifying current and future talent needs and gaps.

Recruitment and Talent Acquisition:

• Provide strategic oversight and management of the recruitment process, implementing innovative strategies to attract diverse, high-caliber candidates.

• Enhance employer branding and positioning to make the organization a destination of choice for top talent.

Performance Management and Development:

• Design and maintain a robust performance management system that drives high performance, supports professional growth, and is aligned with organizational objectives.

• Foster a culture of feedback and continuous improvement, providing coaching and professional development opportunities to staff.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB):

• Champion DEIB initiatives, embedding equity and inclusion into all talent management practices and organizational culture.

• Lead efforts to build and retain an identity-diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment where all employees can thrive.

Leadership and Organizational Development:

• Provide visionary leadership, inspiring and motivating the people and HR team and broader organization towards achieving excellence.

• Build community amongst people and HR teammates through relationship-building, coaching, and capacity-building.

• Drive organizational development initiatives that enhance team effectiveness, collaboration, and a positive work culture.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to align people and HR strategies with organizational needs.

• Engage with external partners, communities, and educational stakeholders to enhance the organization’s impact and reach.

Core Competencies for the Role:

Requirements and Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) required, preferably in human resources; Graduate degree preferred

• Demonstrated cultural competency and understanding of urban school environments; ability to link the impact of student diversity initiatives to student outcomes 

• Strong people management skills, including coaching, capacity building, and facilitating professional development for adult learners

• Leadership experience with change management in a dynamic, growing organization 

• Exceptional project management skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to efficiently and simultaneously manage multiple projects to completion

• Demonstrated ability to motivate, inspire, and build strong working and coaching relationships with a variety of stakeholders

• Exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to utilize quantitative and qualitative analysis to support decision-making

• Strong computer and technology skills; proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, familiarity with Google Docs, and interest in and ability to learn new platforms

• Comfort with ambiguity and working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

• Demonstrated initiative, leadership, and tenacity

• A demonstrated passion for improving K-12 public education

• Bilingual in Spanish is strongly preferred but not required

• Valid driver’s license and dependable transportation as travel between school sites in Los Angeles will be required

Physical Requirements and Typical Work Conditions are examples of the physical aspects that this classification performs in carrying out the essential job functions; 

• Must be able to communicate verbally and in writing effectively to exchange information, do presentations, etc.

• Approximately 50% of the time is spent sitting, frequently required to walk, stand, and bend. 

• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Employees must lift and or move unassisted up to 20 pounds

•  Sitting or standing for extended periods and manual dexterity to operate a computer and other various office equipment as needed 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Citizens of the World Charter Schools (CWC) prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying in educational programs, activities, or employment based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, parental, pregnancy, family or marital status, military status, immigration status or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. CWC requires that school personnel take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so when he or she witnesses an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Questions or complaints of alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying, equity or Title IX equity and compliance concerns should be directed to: CWC Talent and Human Resources Department at talent-hr@cwclosangeles.org