Gonzaga College High School

Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) position

Gonzaga College High School has an immediate opening for a seasoned, talented, and team-oriented Chief Human Resources Officer.

A Catholic, Jesuit, college preparatory school founded in 1821 and located in the heart of the nation's capital, Gonzaga offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum for approximately 962 young men in grades nine through twelve. Rigorous academics, diverse extracurricular activities, retreats, and Christian service -- in the Jesuit tradition -- are the hallmarks of a Gonzaga education. We prepare young men to become compassionate and intellectually curious "men for others".

This newly established senior leadership role requires an experienced human resources professional to lead and help execute Gonzaga's HR strategy. The CHRO will play a pivotal role in shaping the school's culture by developing and implementing strategies that help ensure that Gonzaga's mission is reflected in our people, policies, and procedures. Reporting directly to Gonzaga's President, and working collaboratively with the Leadership Team (CFO, COO, Headmaster) the CHRO will be responsible for ensuring compliance with law and best practice across all human resources functions, including benefits, compensation, faculty/administration relations, staff recruitment, retention and staff development and training, performance management and evaluation, recognition programs, hiring, and HR policy development. This individual will be expected to team with other senior administration members on policies and programs to ensure the school is in alignment with best practices in school human resources strategies; serves as an accessible resource to all school employees on HR related matters; and helps foster an overall culture that supports the retention, engagement, and improved performance of our talented faculty and staff.

Key Responsibilities:

HR Strategy and Leadership

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with the school's mission, values, and strategic objectives.
• Provide visionary leadership for the school's HR function and foster a collaborative, high performing team.
• Partner with COO, CFO and Headmaster to develop and execute HR initiatives that support the school's mission and growth.

Talent Acquisition, Development and Retention

• In cooperation with the Headmaster and COO, develop, implement and monitor recruitment and selection processes, ensuring compliance with equal employment opportunity regulations and best practices.
• Work with Headmaster to develop recruitment strategies for faculty hiring and other student facing personnel and with the COO to do the same for all other full and part-time staff.
• Assist appropriate staff, such as the Assistant Headmaster for Faculty and Staff Development and the Director of Campus Ministry and Ignatian Formation, in the development of talent management and professional development programs, including performance evaluation processes and other initiatives that are aligned with the school's mission.
• Collaborate with the COO, CFO, and Headmaster to identify and address training needs, including those related to the ministerial exception.

Employee Relations and Compliance

• Provide guidance and support to managers and supervisors in addressing employee relations matters and performance management.
• Develop, update, and communicate HR policies, procedures, and the employee handbook in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including compliance with the ministerial exception when applicable.
• Conduct and/or oversee investigations and recommend corrective actions as necessary.
• Thorough knowledge of best practices in HR, with a solid understanding of applicable federal, state, and local laws to include Title VII, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, ERISA, IRS, INS, Title IX and employment discrimination regulations

Compensation and Benefits

• Oversee the administration of compensation and benefits programs, ensuring competitive packages and compliance with legal requirements.
• Collaborate with the CFO to manage HR budgets related to compensation and benefits.
• Serve as primary administrator and fiduciary of 403(b) retirement plans. Ensure the accurate administration of the Plan. Make recommendations as to match/contribution levels, providing retirement planning for employees nearing retirement age, and generally educating employees on the value of managing their retirement.
• Oversee and administer the school's leave policies and ensuring compliance with federal and local laws and regulations
• Oversee the work of the Business Office Manager with benefits administration including enrollments, terminations, and claims.
• Lead contract negotiations with insurance brokers and carriers.
• Present open enrollment meetings and distribute information regarding benefits changes.
• Serve as an administrative contact for healthcare programs.
• Respond to and monitor employment verifications and workers' compensation claims.
• Oversee the processing of semi-monthly payroll for 140 salaried, hourly and seasonal employees, including payroll advances, stipends, reimbursement and overtime payments.
• Address Compensation and benefits issues specific to religious personnel in accordance with the ministerial exception.

Budget Development and Management

• Meet regularly with the President, Headmaster, COO and CFO to review staffing needs, projections, succession issues, etc.; work with the President on special projects relating to such issues as strategic plans, organizational development, salary studies and structures, incentive compensation, and recommendations for future staffing and staff restructuring or reorganization.
• Work closely with the CFO to plan annual and multi-year budgets for compensation and benefits.
• Conduct benchmark compensation and benefits studies to ensure Gonzaga maintains a strategically advantageous position in the marketplace.
• Oversee the process of issuing and collecting annual contracts, including the annual review by legal counsel.

Employee Engagement and Well-being

• Develop and implement initiatives to foster a positive work environment, employee engagement, and work-life balance.
• Partner with relevant committees and employee assistance programs to promote employee well-being and support.

Other

• Ensure 100% compliance with Protecting God's Children / safe environment training for all faculty, staff and volunteers who regularly interact with students.
• Establish and maintain a cohesive filing and file retention system for all personnel files
• Develop and maintain a list of positions for which Conflict of Interest questionnaires are required; send questionnaires to relevant personnel and obtain signed documents from each; create a file for completed questionnaires and provide copies to the Audit Committee at least annually and as otherwise requested
• Evaluate and improve business office processes, resources and systems for essential human resources related functions, including compensation, benefits, retirement, leave, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Gonzaga offers a competitive benefits package, including;

• 403b Retirement Plan, including 8% employer contribution with the first paycheck (minimum employee contribution of $25.00 per paycheck required for eligibility)
• Health / Dental / Vision plan (including HMO and PPO options) with generous premium contribution made by Gonzaga
• Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Annual Paid Vacation Leave of 1.0 days per month up to 10 days in first year and increasing to 1.5 days per month starting in year three. Vacation Leave is in addition to numerous school holidays throughout the year.
• Full paid Sick, Parental, and Family leave up to twelve weeks in a twelve-month period when qualified by DC Department of Employee Services.
• Financial support for Professional Development and Continuing Education
• Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch when school is in session

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field; Master's degree strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 7 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and the ministerial exception.
• HR certification (e.g., SPHR, SHRM-SCP) preferred.
• Experience in Catholic (preferably Jesuit) educational institutions or nonprofit settings is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
• Commitment to and thorough understanding of the Jesuit traditions, mission, and values.
• Experience with the iSolved HR/Payroll platform, Blackbaud education management platforms, and Microsoft Excel, including advanced formulas, a strong plus.

To Apply

If you are a passionate and experienced HR leader who is excited about the opportunity to shape the HR function at Gonzaga College High School, we invite you to apply for this role. To submit your application, please click this link https://gonzaga.isolvedhire.com/jobs (ctrl click to follow link) to be taken to our employment page and follow the instructions on how to formally apply. Applications will be accepted until 12/1/23.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued guidance referencing employers are allowed to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for in-person employees. The Federal Equal Employment Opportunity laws additionally allow an employer to legally require all employees that report to a physical workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Gonzaga College High School is committed to achieving a diverse staff, including age, creed, culture, disability, educational background, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, nationality, race, religion and beliefs, and sexual orientation, and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We welcome requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities during the selection process.