HR Manager

HR Manager

Job Title:
HR Manager

FLSA Status: Professional Exempt

Reports to: Director of Talent & HR

Yu Ming Charter School seeks a dynamic, innovative, and experienced leader to join our team, committed to uplifting and supporting educators who in turn nurture lifelong learners who are bilingual, bicultural and able to create change in their own lives and in our community. We seek leaders that are excited by the possibility of transforming the traditional model of education to be learner-centered through personalized and project based learning that cultivates both the cognitive and social emotional skills our students need to thrive in school and beyond. Yu Ming leaders thrive on exploration, collaboration, and seek to continuously learn and grow as individuals and team members.

About Yu Ming Charter School 

Yu Ming Charter School is a non-profit, tuition-free network of public schools located in Oakland and San Leandro and open to all residents of California. As a leader in Mandarin Immersion education, our mission is to nurture our inclusive and diverse community to become empowered, engaged, and outstanding global citizens. We currently serve 766 students  across three campuses, and continue to grow our enrollment each year. Our intentionally diverse student body comes from many racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds representing 70 zip codes across the Bay Area and 29 home languages. Founded in 2011, Yu Ming is the first Mandarin immersion public charter school in the state. 

We believe every child, regardless of their background or zip code, deserves a free, high-quality education that prepares them today to succeed tomorrow. Ranked the #7 Elementary School and the #2 Elementary Charter School in California by U.S. News, Yu Ming is a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a 2020  and 2023 California Distinguished School. Yu Ming’s future-forward model prepares young people to succeed and thrive in an interconnected and multicultural world through personalized and rigorous learning experiences, active student agency, whole child and community focus, and multilingual education.  As a result, our students far outperform their peers in the district, county, and state, regardless of socio-economic status, race, language background, and learning differences. We are closing the opportunity gap for our historically underserved students every day. To learn more about our innovative school visit our website www.yumingschool.org.

Position Overview

The Human Resources Manager is an experienced, detail-oriented HR professional who thrives on building efficient and equitable HR systems within a dynamic and growing charter school organization. This role is responsible for leading day-to-day HR operations, including onboarding, compliance, HRIS management, payroll coordination, benefits administration, and HR process improvement.

Reporting directly to the Director of Talent & HR, the HR Manager collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, particularly the Executive Assistant and network operations team, to ensure a seamless and positive employee experience from onboarding through offboarding.

The ideal candidate is a solutions-oriented, systems thinker who enjoys both designing and improving HR processes and rolling up their sleeves to execute daily HR operations. They bring a strong equity lens, excellent judgment, and the ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters. Experience in a fast-paced, mission-driven, or rapidly growing organization, particularly in education, is strongly preferred.

The successful candidate will be proactive, relationship-driven, and committed to strengthening HR systems. They should have a willingness to learn about areas they may be less familiar with, asking for support when needed and not afraid to navigate ambiguity.

Core Competencies

• Equity-Driven Systems Builder: Implements HR systems grounded in inclusivity and fairness, uplifting the voices and experiences of all Yu Ming staff.
• Strategic Problem Solver: Anticipates organizational needs, identifies system gaps, and develops efficient, sustainable solutions aligned with Yu Ming’s mission and values.
• Cross-Functional Collaborator: Communicates clearly across departments, building trust and alignment around shared HR processes and expectations.
• Operational Excellence: Demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and smooth execution of HR responsibilities.
• Growth & Learning Mindset: Seeks feedback, reflects on practice, and continuously strengthens HR expertise and leadership skills.

Core  Responsibilities

HR Systems and Compliance

• Design, codify, and maintain HR systems that ensure legal compliance, operational efficiency, and an excellent employee experience.
• Partner with the Director of Talent & HR to update and implement HR policies and procedures aligned with California and charter school requirements.
• Maintain accurate and organized personnel files, HRIS data integrity, credentialing compliance, and staff licensure tracking.
• Manage all credentialing workflows, including monitoring renewal timelines, supporting teachers and student-facing staff through credentialing pathways, and coordinating with external partners as needed.
• Support Yu Ming’s unique immigration and visa processes, including coordination with immigration counsel, managing documentation, assisting employees through onboarding and renewal steps, and ensuring full compliance with federal requirements.
• Oversee benefits administration and serve as the primary liaison between employees and benefits providers.
• Partner with the back-office provider to ensure timely, accurate bi-monthly payroll.
• Ensure all onboarding, offboarding, I-9 verification, credentialing, and required employee documentation processes are completed efficiently and in compliance with regulations.
• Collaborate with the Executive Assistant to ensure consistent, high-quality onboarding logistics for all new hires.

HR Operations & Cross-Organizational Systems

• Analyze and improve existing HR processes to increase clarity, efficiency, and cross-functional alignment.
• Build and document HR processes using consistent frameworks that promote transparency and ease of use across the organization.
• Provide responsive guidance to staff and managers on day-to-day HR matters, including policies, benefits, payroll, and procedures.
• Serve as a point of contact for employees navigating credentialing, visa sponsorship, and immigration-related questions, escalating complex matters when appropriate.
• Support the Director of Talent & HR with employee relations documentation, coordination, and follow-up.
• Promote an employee-centered approach to HR operations aligned with Yu Ming’s values and DEI commitments.

Strategic Partnership & Leadership Growth

• Serve as a thought partner to the Director of Talent & HR on system improvements, workforce planning, and organizational culture initiatives.
• Contribute to HR and Talent team projects related to performance management, compensation processes, employee engagement, and retention.
• Model inclusive leadership and support organization-wide efforts to strengthen culture and belonging.
• Develop capabilities to take on expanded HR responsibilities over time, including potential pathways for future leadership growth.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years in a HR or operations role, preferably in an education setting
• Experience in a mission-driven organization, preferably in education
• Commitment to Yu Ming’s mission and strong DEI leadership
• Superb interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds
• Excellent computer skills and competence with technology tools including Google Suite and database management (CRM, HRIS, ATS)
• Flexibility and adaptability to change; ability to work in a dynamic, creative and start-up learning environment.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP) preferred.

Terms of Employment: Full-time, year-round, hybrid (in-person meetings and travel to school campuses required at least 3x per week; campuses are located in Oakland and San Leandro, CA)

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with adults and occasionally children. 

Compensation

Yu Ming offers a generous salary and benefits package which includes: 

• $72,000-$78,000 annual base salary
• 100% core benefits coverage on select plans (medical, dental, vision)
• Free Access to an Employee Assistance Program offering a variety of services including counseling and legal aid
• Optional Life insurance, short and long term disability 
• Transit benefits
• 403(b) and 457 retirement plans
• 10 PTO days per calendar year
• 7 sick days per calendar year
• Additional time off during school breaks (Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, etc.)

Interested candidates should submit the following at: https://yumingcharterschool.bamboohr.com/jobs/

Applications should include:

• A resume
• A cover letter, not to exceed two double-spaced pages, describing your relevant experience and interest in the role

Application submission screening and initial phone interviews will be completed on a rolling basis. 

Yu Ming Charter School is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity at all levels.