Chief People Officer- Noble Schools

Chief People Officer

About Noble
Noble’s mission is to ensure that all students have equitable and positive school experiences that equip them to complete college and lead choice-filled lives. Noble serves 12,000 students and 23,000 alumni across 17 open-enrollment, free, public schools in Chicago. We are proud to be recognized nationally for college access and persistence, with 98% of our graduates being accepted into college.

At Noble, “anti-racism” isn’t a buzzword. We have implemented substantial policy and structural changes to underscore our dedication to combating racism and addressing systemic inequities within the communities we serve. These transformative measures aim to foster a profound and genuine sense of belonging among our students, staff, and families, laying the groundwork for everyone to thrive and reach their fullest potential.

Chief People Officer
Noble Schools is seeking a seasoned and visionary Chief People Officer (CPO) to lead our Human Resources and Talent functions. This critical role is at the heart of our mission to deliver an exceptional education by fostering a school system that attracts, develops, and retains top talent.

Reporting to the President and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, our Chief People Officer is the key architect of human capital strategies at Noble, creating the conditions for an extraordinary experience for our 1,600 teachers, administrators, and support staff. This includes spearheading the talent recruitment efforts at Noble as well as leading all human resource functions.

The CPO also serves as a trusted advisor and expert resource for senior leaders, principals, and staff on all aspects of the employee life cycle at Noble, delivering impeccable service and human-centered guidance and support every step of the way. The CPO leads a team of 20 people, with the Director of Human Resources and Director of Talent as direct reports.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:
Collaborate on the development and execution of a comprehensive multi-year talent and HR strategy aligned with the organization’s mission and aimed at creating an excellent employee experience
Partner with school leaders to forecast staffing needs and develop strategies for talent acquisition and retention
Establish and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of HR and Talent programs and initiatives (e.g., recruitment, employee engagement, licensure, and retention)
Team Management:
Lead a dedicated team of 20 HR and Talent professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and first-class service
Talent Acquisition & Development:
Collaborate on the development and implementation of strategic recruitment plans and comprehensive hiring systems to attract, screen and successfully hire top-tier talent
Support onboarding, professional development, talent pathways, and succession planning efforts to ensure we attract and retain high-caliber talent committed to our mission
Human Resource Management:
Lead the HR team in managing day-to-day operations, including employee relations, performance management, licensure, background checks, onboarding, investigations, and compliance with various employment laws and regulations
Develop policies and procedures designed to foster a supportive, inclusive, and equitable environment for staff
Payroll & Benefits Administration:
Manage payroll processes to ensure accurate and timely payment of wages to employees
Administer employee benefit programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other parts of Noble’s “total rewards” package
Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices in compensation and benefits to ensure competitive offerings that attract and retain top talent
Performance Management:
Design and implement effective performance management systems that support employee growth, accountability, and achievement of organizational goals
Employee Relations & Engagement:
Serve as a trusted advisor on all employee relations issues, ensuring alignment with legal and educational standards, and promoting a culture of fairness and transparency
Infuse Noble with positivity and enthusiasm, making it a place where everyone wants to be
Compensation & Benefits:
Oversee the development of competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness programs that attract and retain top talent while ensuring fiscal responsibility
Data-Driven Decision Making:
Leverage HR and talent acquisition metrics and analytics to inform strategies, improve processes, and drive outcomes
Lead the charge in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting HR and talent acquisition data to uncover trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement
Lead the staff survey administration process, including 360s, engagement, and service surveys
Utilize advanced analytical tools and methodologies to extract meaningful insights from large datasets, providing guidance to senior leadership on strategic workforce planning and decision-making

Candidate Qualifications
The ideal candidate will meet or exceed the following qualifications.
Demonstrated alignment with Noble’s mission, core values, and commitment to anti-racism
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree and/or certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR) in a related field preferred
Ten+ years of leadership and management experience, preferably in human resources focusing on strategy, core HR management, talent acquisition, and employee relations
Strong preference for candidates who have worked in a K-12 educational setting
Fluency in relevant employment laws, including but not limited to, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, EPA, FLSA, FMLA, and NLRA as well as state and local equivalents is a plus
Experience with internal investigations, from initial investigation scoping, witness interviewing, credibility assessment, and the provision of remedial measures
Willingness and comfort with making challenging employment decisions
Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, strategic growth mindset, and a deep commitment to serving in the educational sector
Executive-level leadership and strategic planning experience
Proven analytical proficiency and comfort using analytics to inform data-driven decision making
Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis

Candidate Traits
High integrity, self-awareness, and authenticity
Proven senior leadership skills and a demonstrated ability to lead high-functioning teams
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including high comfort with presenting in executive and large group settings
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and autonomous culture
Demonstrated ability and competency to make tough but necessary decisions
Excellent follow-through skills: ability to multitask, establish and rearrange priorities, and maintain focus
Exemplary organizational skills and attention to detail
A long history of being an awesome teammate with a sense of humor

Position Details
This is a permanent full-time exempt position, primarily based in downtown Chicago. Some flexibility for remote work is an option, but candidates must be able to work in person on a weekly basis.

Noble’s next CPO is expected to start by June 2024 but the start date can be flexible for an ideal candidate.

Compensation
Noble provides competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, 401k retirement plan, and paid time off. Compensation is commensurate with experience for this role with an expected minimum salary for this position starting at $190,000 annually.

Statement of Non Discrimination
Noble is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic or classification protected by law.