Manager, Employee Relations

About Achievement First

Achievement First (AF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that currently supports 41 public charter schools in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Consistently rated as one of the top charter school networks in the country for almost 25 years, AF is committed to continuous improvement, programmatic evolution for enhanced student outcomes, and sustainable growth. The majority of AF students are Black and Latinx children from low-income families who will be the first in their families to graduate from college. AF currently employs more than 2,200 staff — 64% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color — who collectively educate nearly 15,000 students in Brooklyn and Queens, NY; New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, CT; and Providence, RI.

The mission of Achievement First is to deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all of America’s children. AF knows that every child—regardless of race, zip code, or economic status—deserves access to great schools. At AF, students realize their potential and develop the skills they need to graduate from high school, succeed in college, thrive in a competitive world, and serve as the next generation of leaders in their communities. At AF, students and staff embark on a shared journey to fulfill their incredible potential.

Your Impact

The Manager, Employee Relations will serve as a trusted advisor to school leadership, providing guidance on all aspects of employee relations and performance management while ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and values. This role will play a key part in fostering fair, consistent, and legally compliant employment practices across Achievement First’s New York schools.

• Lead and oversee thorough, fair, and legally compliant workplace investigations.
• Prepare investigatory summaries and lead debrief sessions to present findings.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to drive resolution strategies that align with organizational policies and best practices.
• Draft critical documents such as separation letters, Title IX notices, and warning letters.
• Participate in termination meetings, providing pre-meeting coaching and real-time support to leaders.

• Advise on policy violations, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Guide school leadership teams on managing performance issues, including the development of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).
• Hold weekly office hours for school staff to address HR and payroll inquiries and triage employee concerns.
• Maintain case data in the Employee Relations case management system and resolve Zendesk tickets related to ER.

• Manage ADA accommodation requests, facilitating the interactive process while ensuring compliance.
• Support medical leave administration by evaluating staff eligibility and providing guidance on the application process.
• Coordinate workers' compensation claims, ensuring timely response and effective management in partnership with Liberty Mutual.

• Develop and lead training sessions on HR policies and processes to ensure consistent understanding across the region.
• Analyze case data trends to update training materials and improve policy awareness.
• Partner with school leadership to reinforce policies during Professional Development (PD) sessions to minimize violations and risk.

Skills You’ll Have

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, Juris Doctor (JD) is a plus
• 5+ years in Employee Relations, HR, or a related field, with a strong understanding of employment law and best practices 
• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP) preferred.

Traits for Success

• In-depth knowledge of workplace investigations, performance management, and compliance with ADA, FMLA, and Title IX.
• Ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
• Proficiency in HR case management systems and tools such as Zendesk.
• Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with acute attention to detail.
• A collaborative spirit with a strong work ethic and commitment to continuous learning.

Compensation

Achievement First sets salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on the requisite skills, education, and experience relevant to the role.  The salary for this position is $99,175.20. In order to uphold our commitment to equity, Achievement First does not negotiate pay.  Additionally, Achievement First offers to all regular, full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match, and paid Family Leave.