Director HR; Burlington, MA,

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes‑based, data‑driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.

Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant‑A Insights Group as one of America’s 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America’s Best Places to work for Mental Well‑Being for 2025.

We’re always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you’d thrive, read on to learn more.

The Director Human Resources serves as a strategic advisor and thought partner to senior leaders across key corporate operations functions. This role aligns people strategy with business priorities to drive organizational effectiveness, leadership capability, and scalable performance in complex, fast paced environments. Operating with a strong enterprise mindset, the Director balances immediate business needs with long term workforce and organizational health.

As a member of the HRBP team, this role influences outcomes at scale through trusted leadership partnership and data informed insight. Your leadership will be pivotal in nurturing our culture and guiding our talent to new heights of success.

This position will work a hybrid schedule from our Burlington, MA office location preferred. Hybrid work from our Leawood, Kansas office location or remote will be considered within the United States. Working Eastern and/or Central time zone hours is required.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior operations leaders, translating business strategy into integrated people strategies
• Diagnose organizational challenges and opportunities using data informed insights to drive sustainable performance
• Partner with leaders on workforce planning, capability needs, and operating rhythm to support current and future business demands
• Lead organization design and operating model evolution, including role clarity, spans of control, and team effectiveness
• Guide leaders through change initiatives such as restructures, growth, integration, and transformation
• Guide organization through performance management, succession planning, leadership development, and internal mobility
• Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations matters, investigations, performance issues, and workplace concerns
• Collaborate with HR Center of Excellence (COEs) to deliver cohesive, scalable enterprise solutions and contribute to enterprise wide HR initiatives

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including significant experience in HR Business Partner roles supporting complex operations
• Proven ability to influence, coach, and advise senior leaders through ambiguity and change
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen with an enterprise mindset
• Strong ability to utilize data analytics to drive decision-making and measure effectiveness
• Experience supporting corporate operations or similarly complex, matrixed environments
• Expertise in organization effectiveness, change leadership, and workforce planning
• Executive presence with strong judgment and decision making capability
• High emotional intelligence and advanced coaching skills
  
  Solid knowledge of employment law, employee relations, and HR best practices
• Proven experience in merger and acquisition due diligence and integrations
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex initiatives in a fast paced, matrixed organization
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or other areas combined with relevant work experience is preferred. High school diploma or GED required