Associate Director, Human Resources

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non‑profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high‑quality public schools to thrive in their community.

We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Human Resources serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to regional and school leadership. This role drives organizational effectiveness, cultivates an inclusive and high‑performing culture, and proactively anticipates workforce needs to ensure Rocketship remains an exceptional place to work and grow. Operating with high autonomy, the Associate Director of Human Resources makes independent, values‑aligned decisions that strengthen leadership capacity, mitigate risk, and drive long‑term talent outcomes across schools and regions.

Location

Within driving distance of our schools in the Bay Area.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Judgment:
Applies sound judgment in complex, high‑impact decisions.

• Influence without Authority:
Gains buy‑in and alignment across diverse stakeholders.

• Relationship Building:
Develops trust and credibility at every level of the organization.

• Innovation:
Challenges assumptions, designs creative solutions, and drives improvement.

• Coaching & Development:
Elevates leaders and teams through tailored guidance and feedback.

Essential Functions

Strategic Partnership & Leadership

• Serve as a thought partner to regional and school leaders, translating organizational strategy into actionable people plans that drive engagement, retention, and performance.

• Make independent, sound HR decisions; balance compliance with business judgment and empathy.

• Anticipate workforce trends and recommend proactive strategies to address turnover, leadership readiness, and culture health.

• Lead and coach leaders through organizational change, conflict, and performance management with discretion and composure.

• Collaborate with the recruiting team on a weekly basis to review hiring progress, share key updates, and provide regional leadership with timely recruitment insights and data.

Relationship Building & Influence

• Build deep, trust‑based partnerships across executive, school, and support teams to influence without authority.

• Foster strong collaboration with Talent, Program, and other cross‑functional partners to align systems and practices.

• Act as a cultural leader who models open communication, inclusivity, and professional accountability.

• Maintain key partnerships with the Recruitment team and external talent pipelines, including but not limited to Teach For America and Relay Graduate School of Education.

Leadership Development

• Design and deliver targeted development sessions for school and regional leaders to strengthen performance management, coaching, and compliance acumen.

• Partner with the Talent team to identify developmental gaps and co‑create scalable solutions that enhance the employee experience.

• Use data and feedback (surveys, exit trends, engagement) to shape culture and inform action planning.

Employee Relations & Risk Management

• Lead and resolve complex employee relations matters with fairness, urgency, and discretion.

• Conduct objective investigations and provide clear, consistent recommendations.

• Coach managers on performance management and disciplinary actions, ensuring equitable application of policies and values alignment.

Operational Excellence

• Drive HR project execution and process improvements across regions.

• Partner with Talent Operations and Legal to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

• Use data analytics to identify trends and measure the effectiveness of human resource initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s…