Chief of Human Resources

About Las Cruces Public Schools

Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) is one of the largest school districts in New Mexico, serving a richly diverse community in southern New Mexico. LCPS is deeply rooted in the region’s culture and traditions, with strong community partnerships with New Mexico State University, Doña Ana Community College, and local legislative and civic organizations. The district serves students from diverse backgrounds and is committed to equity, bilingual education, and ensuring that every student has access to high‑quality learning experiences.

Las Cruces Public Schools is seeking an experienced, mission‑driven Chief of Human Resources to serve as a strategic partner to the Superintendent and Cabinet. This is a high‑impact leadership role at a pivotal moment for the district. The Chief of Human Resources will oversee all aspects of human resources, from staffing and recruitment to labor relations, employee development, and organizational right‑sizing, and will lead a team of approximately 1,020 HR professionals.

The ideal candidate will bring both the technical expertise to manage complex HR systems and the human qualities needed to lead with empathy, build trust across stakeholder groups, and champion the district’s commitment to equity. This person will be as comfortable navigating contract negotiations with union leadership as they are building relationships with classroom teachers and school principals.

• Lead an equitable and transparent right‑sizing and workforce realignment process that reduces the district’s payroll expenditure (currently at 98 % of revenue) while minimizing disruption to staff and students.
• Strengthen the HR team by building trust, clarifying roles, and ensuring the division serves as a model of effective, responsive service for the rest of the district.
• Audit and modernize the HR information system (iVisions), correcting misaligned employee categorizations and improving data sharing across departments.
• Develop a deep understanding of both the NEA‑LC Las Cruces and Classified Employees and Support Council (CESC‑LC) Collective Bargaining Agreements, and ensure all HR decisions are in full compliance.
• Overhaul the hiring and onboarding process to reduce delays, improve the candidate experience, and get qualified staff into classrooms faster.
• Build strong working relationships with principals, Cabinet peers, union leadership, and community partners from day one.

• Significant experience in human resources leadership within a K‑12 public school district, ideally in a large, urban or semi‑urban district with comparable demographics and complexity.
• Demonstrated knowledge of teacher and staff licensure requirements, including familiarity with New Mexico’s licensure landscape and alternative certification pathways.
• Experience managing a large HR team and designing systems that support efficiency, accountability, and staff development.

• Proven, positive track record working collaboratively with collective bargaining units, not adversarial, but as a genuine thought partner.
• Deep knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and the Public Employee Bargaining Act of New Mexico, or equivalent state labor law.
• Understanding of federal and state employment law, anti‑discrimination requirements, Title IX obligations, and relevant New Mexico case law (e.g., Martinez/Yazzie).
• Experience leading HR through complex employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary processes, and terminations, with both legal precision and human care.

• Strong understanding of the relationship between budget and staffing, including experience with enrollment‑driven funding formulas and sustainable workforce planning.
• Experience leading a district through a right‑sizing or workforce reduction process, with a track record of managing change in a way that maintains organizational trust and morale.
• Familiarity with HR information systems and data management; ability to leverage data to inform…