Director of Human Resources
WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.
Princeton Day School (PDS) seeks an experienced, community-oriented, and highly credible Director of Human Resources to lead a mature, fully paperless HR function at a moment of transition and opportunity. This role is ideal for a senior HR professional who thrives in the realities of a school environment where judgment, discretion, empathy, and clarity of communication matter as much as technical expertise.
PDS has invested deeply over the past 15 years in professionalizing its HR function. The next Director will inherit strong systems, robust documentation, and a well-established HR infrastructure, and will be charged with bringing consistency, trust-building, and sound judgment to the most sensitive aspects of employee relations.
This is a role that requires maturity, calm, and confidence navigating ambiguity, managing complex personnel issues, and advising senior leadership through gray areas where policy, precedent, and humanity intersect.
Reporting to the Assistant Head of School for Finance & Operations, the Director of Human Resources serves as the primary advisor to the Head of School and senior leadership on personnel matters; a hands-on operator with deep fluency in payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR systems; and a trusted, steady presence for faculty and staff navigating complex or sensitive situations.
The Director supervises a Human Resources Assistant / Substitute Teacher Coordinator, making this a two-person HR operation. As such, the successful candidate must be equally comfortable operating at a tactical, day-to-day level and leading high-stakes investigations or separations.
The Director of Human Resources position at PDS has been intentionally built over time. The role became full-time in 2009 and over the next decade, the institution learned how to partner effectively with HR, particularly around documentation, investigations, and performance management. The HR function is now fully paperless, supported by a robust HRIS, with automated contracts, applicant tracking, and benefits administration. The outgoing Director leaves systems, files, and processes in strong shape and is committed to a seamless transition. The next Director will not need to “invent” HR at PDS, but must be able to operate confidently within a school culture that values nuance, flexibility, and trust.
The ideal candidate will bring to the role the following attributes:
- A seasoned HR professional with at least 10 years of leadership experience
- Deeply comfortable with employee relations, investigations, and benefits administration
- High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information
- Superior oral and written communication skills
- Ability to build trusting relationships with emotional intelligence and empathy while fostering an inclusive workplace
- Superior customer service and interpersonal skills
- Organization/time management skills and close attention to detail, demonstrating accuracy and thoroughness, with ability to prioritize to meet competing deadlines and attain satisfactory results in a fast-paced school environment
- Comfortable working with/learning new technologies
- Self-starter who can work independently to problem-solve
- Enthusiasm around engaging in professional development to remain current on legal compliance/best practices
- Calm, unflappable, and trusted under pressure
Preferred Background
- Experience in an independent school or similar mission-driven organization
- HR certification (PHR or SHRM-CP)
- Strong systems fluency (HRIS, payroll, benefits administration)
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $150,000–$170,000, commensurate with experience, plus a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, a generous 403(b) match, paid time off, and additional wellness-related benefits.
This is a fully in-office role. Physical presence on campus is essential to credibility, effectiveness, and relationship-building. Limited flexibility may be available in the summer, but this is not a hybrid position.
Contact
DSG Storbeck l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Ruth Shoemaker Wood. Screening will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.