Director of Human Resources

Job Description

Livonia Public Schools is seeking a highly qualified Director of Human Resources who embodies principled leadership, as well as demonstrates and enhances a collaborative spirit and growth mindset. Livonia Public Schools employs a shared leadership model within Human Resources, with two Directors of Human Resources jointly responsible for districtwide HR strategy and operations. Each Director oversees distinct, complementary portfolios while collaborating closely on the Superintendent's Cabinet priorities, labor relations, and Board-facing work.

The Director of Human Resources reports to the Superintendent of Schools and works collaboratively as a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet. The Director serves as a key advisor to the Superintendent and other Cabinet-level leadership, contributing to districtwide strategy, organizational decision-making, and governance at the executive level.

This leader creates and contributes to highly functioning work environments that exhibit respect, understanding, and advocacy for all individuals and employee groups. The Director of Human Resources will champion and consistently apply best practices in human resource development and personnel administration throughout the District.

The Directors of HR are responsible for myriad aspects of the school district's human resources. They are responsible for District personnel operations, including recruiting, hiring, orienting, and supporting personnel; and building the capacity and engagement of each Livonia Public Schools' staff member. Essential responsibilities of the role also include the negotiation and maintenance of collective bargaining agreements for each of our employee groups, processing grievances, counseling, disciplining, and discharging certified and non-certified staff; the supervision and organization of the Human Resources office; and developing and implementing District personnel policies.

District Overview

Livonia Public Schools employs approximately 1,800 staff members, serving approximately 13,100 pre K – post-secondary students. There are 15 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, 1 career technical center, 1 early childhood center, and 1 vocational and transition center in the school district. The annual budget for the Livonia Public Schools is in excess of $180 million, with state funding of $10,000 per pupil.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a master's degree with graduate study in any of the following: administration, labor relations, human resources, educational leadership, a juris doctorate, or extensive experience in human or labor relations
• Visionary and creative leadership that promotes team and community building
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Exhibits exceptional follow-through and initiative to ensure a high level of responsiveness and engagement with others, including within the department and team
• A demonstrated commitment to building capacity and enhancing the engagement and well-being of our staff
• A passionate commitment to high levels of engagement and learning for all students
• Demonstrated commitment to high expectations for staff interactions with students and colleagues, reflective of the District's Collective Commitments, and ability to hold to account those who do not reflect these standards.
• Highly successful administrative experience at the school, district, or organizational level
• Experience or knowledge in negotiations, labor relations, contract labor management, interpretation, and compliance preferred
• Evidence of exhibiting knowledgeable and collaborative problem-solving abilities
• Demonstrated positive interpersonal relationships
• Successful experience in interviewing, selecting, supervising, and evaluating teachers and administrators, or other public or private employees
• Proven ability to engage others in the development of a vision, mission, and collective beliefs
• Evidence of ability to establish highly effective working relationships with all employees and work groups, which result in conflict resolution, mutual respect, and collaborative results
• Respect for and commitment to enhancing a diverse workforce
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to administer and supervise the Human Resources Office
  
  

Major Functions And Responsibilities

• Champion the District's mission, vision, and collective commitments to make decisions that reflect the District's philosophy that places the needs of children and their education first
• Build and maintain a collaborative, inclusive, and interactive working relationship with personnel throughout the district
• Administer assigned personnel practices with all staff members, such as, but not limited to, hiring, requests for leaves, promotions, transfers, reassignments, resignations, retirements, and other related HR functions
• Participate actively in the Superintendent's Cabinet, contributing to short and long-term planning, collaboration, and leadership decisions
• Provide leadership in the collective bargaining process for Board negotiating teams with the District's employee groups; gather information and research data in preparation for bargaining, and develop and implement negotiation strategies and policies as directed by the Superintendent and the Board of Education
• Work with District and union leadership regarding contract implementation, problem resolution, and contract intent resolution
• Conduct individual conferences and personnel counseling with employees relating to health, discipline, job performance, and interpersonal relations. Administer the due process procedure, represent the District in matters regarding the grievance process and arbitration, and negotiate the resolution of grievances and arbitration concerns with union groups
• Drive recruitment and onboarding efforts, including all job postings, participation in applicable recruitment events, and organizing/leading New Staff Orientation, and oversight of the New Teacher Academy (mentoring program) to attract and retain top talent
• Work effectively with appropriate Board committees, respond to individual Board member concerns and questions, attend Board meetings, provide updates to the Board on negotiations and other essential HR matters, and interact with Board members at the direction of the Superintendent
• Work with the District's legal counsel on matters of human resources and personnel matters
• Remain updated and knowledgeable about employee benefits for staff, including the fiscal and HR implications of those benefits.
• Stay current with educational developments, legislation affecting education and/or human resources, and participate in professional organizations
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to human resources and labor relations to the Superintendent
• Work in collaboration with the Division of Instruction on a meaningful and engaging professional development vision and plan
• Work closely with Finance and Payroll Departments on financial matters as they relate to staff/staffing, labor relations, benefits, and effective payroll operations
• Collaborate with Pupil Accounting to ensure the accurate and timely reporting of pupil count in each school and program, along with staff-related data (e.g., FTE, certification, assignments) required for state-mandated student enrollment counts and compliance audits
• Responsible for and/or assisting with employee handbooks, employee contracts, job descriptions, and other publications related to human resources
• Assist in ensuring that instructional and administrative staff are properly certified and meet all state and federal guidelines pertaining to said certification
• Administer master agreements and provide training, counsel, and interpretation to administrators and supervisory personnel regarding matters of contract intent, District policies and procedures for human resources, and interpretation of related laws and rules
• Ensure compliance with Title IX regulations and educate staff on harassment prevention and response
• Maintain knowledge of, and compliance with, workplace state and federal laws, reporting, and record-keeping requirements
• Represent the District at unemployment, workers' compensation, EEOC, and other labor and employment-related hearings
• Perform other duties and assume responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent
  
  

PROCEDURES:

All applicants, including current LPS employees, must complete and submit an application through Applitrack, accessed through the Livonia Public Schools webpage.

All applicants must also upload the following to their online application:

• A letter of intent addressed to Andrea Oquist, Superintendent of Schools
• A current professional resume
• Three current letters of recommendation
• Copies of educational documents (transcripts/certificates, unless already on file within the district)
  
  

Applicants must submit required documents by Monday, April 26, 2026. This posting will remain open until the position is filled.

The Livonia Public Schools School District prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or transgender status), national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, handicap, or disability in any of its educational programs or activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or transgender status), national origin, age, height, weight, and marital status-Director of Human Resources, 15125 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154 at (734) 744-2521. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding discrimination based on handicap or disability-Director of Student Services, 15125 Farmington Road, Livonia, MI 48154 at (734) 744-2524.