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Director of People and Culture - Central Office

Portland Public Schools | Portland, ME, United States

Posted Date 5/08/2025
Full job description POSITION OVERVIEW: Director of People and Culture - Central Office
Under the direction of the Executive Director of Human Resources, the Director of People and Culture is a key leadership role responsible for developing and implementing human resources strategies that foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment within the school district. This role ensures the district cultivates a culture that prioritizes employee engagement, belonging, and equity. The Director will support professional learning for all staff and will lead strategic plan initiatives to align the district’s people practices with its educational mission and goals.
This is a full-time, year-round position.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders, including school administrators, teachers, staff, and community partners, to create a workplace culture that supports educational excellence
  • Facilitate regular meetings with school administrators and union representatives to gather feedback on workplace culture and identify areas
  • for improvement. Develop and present recommendations based on this feedback
  • Foster a culture of equity and belonging through strategic plan initiatives and professional development programs
  • Design and deliver professional development workshops focused on culturally responsive practices for all staff. Track participation rates and gather post-training feedback to measure impact on staff understanding and implementation of equitable practices.
  • Lead Strategic Plan Initiatives 1.1 and 4.1, ensuring key milestones are met according to project timelines
  • Conduct a comprehensive review and revision of all HR policies, ensuring alignment with the district's mission, vision, and values, as outlined in the strategic plan
  • Lead efforts to assess and improve workplace culture and employee well-being through surveys, feedback mechanisms, and data-driven strategies
  • Support administration of the annual employee engagement survey, analyze the results to identify key trends and areas for concern, and present findings with actionable recommendations; Implement at least two data-driven initiatives based on survey feedback to improve employee well-being within the next year
  • Develop and implement professional development programs with a focus on equity and the incorporation of the District’s Staff Vision of Excellence
  • Oversee and enhance employee recognition programs, including monthly peer-to-peer awards, annual staff appreciation events, and staff longevity acknowledgments, ensuring equitable and meaningful recognition across the district
  • Develop, implement, and facilitate comprehensive equity-focused professional development for all staff and lead an ongoing equity leaders cohort to build capacity and advance equitable practices
  • Lead the continued development and regular revision of the district's hiring toolkit, incorporating best practices to promote fair and equitable recruitment and selection processes
  • Develop and implement equitable recruitment strategies to attract a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates, including attending job fairs, establishing partnerships with relevant organizations, and utilizing online platforms to expand reach
  • Maintain and regularly update equity-related content on the district's website, ensuring accurate information and resources are readily accessible to staff and the community
  • Partner with school leaders to enhance employee engagement, performance management, and leadership development
  • Design and deliver comprehensive induction programs for all new staff members, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience and providing them with the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to succeed in their roles and align with district policies and procedures
  • Create and facilitate coaching and mentoring programs for staff at all levels, focused on enhancing performance, developing leadership skills, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring alignment with state requirements and district goals
  • Serve as an advisor to the Executive Director of Human Resources and school leadership on HR-related matters, organizational culture, and equity
  • Support employee relations, conflict resolution, and compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws.
  • Ensure compliance with all district policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable employment laws
  • Participate in regular reviews of hiring materials and practices, job descriptions, and relevant HR documents to ensure alignment with strategic initiatives and an equity focus
  • Coordinate New Staff Orientation and monthly new staff meetings and events, to include new teacher and new administrator trainings
  • Perform other duties and related tasks as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
+ Knowledge Of:
  • Recruitment and hiring strategies with a focus on equity
  • Coaching and consultation strategies; presentation skills for providing support and professional development to all levels of staff
  • Working knowledge of human resource operations and diversity, equity, and belonging for organizational sustainability and development
  • Focused, strategic decision making using a goals-based management approach
  • Technology solutions and comprehensive data generation, monitoring and reporting to drive department and district decision-making

+ Ability To:
  • Identify and track key metrics to drive decision-making
  • Implement continuous improvement measures for existing systemsi ncluding employee and labor relations and compliance
  • Increase engagement, create impactful professional learning, and implement meaningful and instructive accountability and feedback systems that result in improved staff practices and measurable improvements in student achievement
  • Collaborate, provide input and thought partnership on strategic decisions
  • Improve climate and culture through data-informed decision making
  • Implement actions and strategies that create inclusive, trusting, transparent and engaging strategic cultures district-wide
  • Work effectively with all members of the PPS community including administrators, colleagues, central office and school based staff, students, parents and community
  • Develop routines for monitoring and reviewing progress to goals while holding staff accountable for deliverables
  • Collaborate across lines of differences with diverse staff, students, families and partners throughout the organization
  • Manage through difficult conversations and conflict with restorative approaches and facilitate resolution and repair
  • Generate communications, messaging and written materials for the organization that effectively convey the values of the organization
  • Ability to build trust and foster collaborative relationships across all levels of the organization

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
  • Bachelor’s degree in Education Administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
  • Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in human resources, preferably in an educational setting
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills
  • Proven ability to lead equity initiatives
  • Deep knowledge of HR best practices, labor laws, and regulations affecting public education institutions
  • Background in K-12 public education administration
  • Experience in collective bargaining and labor relations preferred

CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization (more info)

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
  • Office environment. Constant interruptions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
  • Light physical effort required
  • Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard
  • Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone
  • Sitting for extended periods of time
  • Seeing to read a variety of materials
  • Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to file materials
  • Occasional extended work hours and attendance at evening meetings

HAZARDS:
Exposure to typical district/workplace hazards
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS:
  • Year-rount position
  • Permanent
  • Full Time, 1.0 FTE
  • Not eligible for overtime
  • Non-represented, salaried position
  • Projected salary range: $100,000-120,000
Salary100,000.00 - 120,000.00 Annual
Job Type
Regular
Industry
Education | Management

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