Job Type
Full-time
Description
Location: Full-time, in-office
Reports to: President
Works closely with: CEO & Executive Leadership Team
Direct Reports: 1
Summary/Objective
Reading Horizons is strengthening its foundation to support disciplined growth and long-term impact. As a mission-driven organization committed to eradicating illiteracy, we are building the people systems that allow our culture and performance to scale together.
The Director of People & Culture ensures we operate with clarity, consistency, and accountability — attracting and retaining top, diverse talent while building disciplined systems that support a strong, impact-driven organization.
What You’ll Own
1. Culture Stewardship (Primary Focus)
You protect and operationalize our mission-driven, disciplined culture as we scale.
- Champion and reinforce a people-first, impact-driven environment aligned to our core values
- Strengthen clarity and consistency in expectations and behaviors
- Lead cross-functional culture initiatives that strengthen connection, clarity, and belonging
- Support leaders through change to maintain stability and trust
2. HR Operations & Compliance
You ensure the operational foundation is strong, compliant, and scalable.
- Oversee HR compliance (federal, state, and local employment law)
- Lead benefits administration, policies, payroll coordination, and employee relations
- Maintain clear documentation and consistent application of standards
- Manage external partners (legal counsel, brokers, etc.)
- Ensure people systems are structured, reliable, and scalable
3. Hiring, Onboarding & Retention
You help attract and retain top, diverse talent aligned to our mission.
- Partner with leaders to design clear, consistent hiring processes
- Establish structured, culture-aligned onboarding experiences
- Create transparent practices for promotions, recognition, and development
- Identify retention risks early and support proactive solutions
- Maintain a strong employee experience from offer to exit
4. Talent & Performance Systems
You build systems that drive accountability and growth.
- Ensure role clarity, defined success profiles, and measurable expectations
- Support leaders in delivering clear, constructive feedback
- Lead engagement surveys and 360 processes with actionable follow-through
- Strengthen consistency in how standards are applied across teams
What Success Looks Like
- Our culture remains mission-driven and disciplined as we grow.
- Expectations are clear and consistently applied.
- We attract and retain strong, diverse talent aligned to our purpose.
- Performance conversations are timely, direct, and growth-oriented.
- People systems are structured, scalable, and trusted.
- Engagement and accountability strengthen over time.
Requirements
Who You Are
You are a systems-minded, people-centered leader who believes strong culture requires clarity, consistency, and discipline.
You:
- Balance empathy with accountability
- Apply standards consistently
- Operate with integrity and discretion
- Are comfortable navigating complex or sensitive situations
- Partner effectively with executives and managers
- Believe how we treat people matters as much as what we deliver
Experience
- 8–12+ years in HR / People leadership (Director or senior level)
- Strong grounding in HR compliance and people operations
- Experience in a scaling, mission-driven organization (education, edtech, or SaaS a plus)
- Demonstrated success improving hiring, performance systems, and retention
- EOS experience preferred
- HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP/SCP) a plus
We offer our employees the following benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Rx benefits
- 401(k) with generous company match and profit-sharing opportunity
- Company-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance
- 12 paid company holidays, including two floating holidays of your choice, per year
- Monthly wellness days and generous paid time off (PTO)
- A supportive, team-oriented work environment
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth
Travel Required
None
ADA Statement
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform any and all essential functions.
Physical Demands
There will be prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. While performing the duties of this job, the team player is regularly required to talk, hear, and sit. The team player is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
Work Environment
The office has ambient indoor temperatures, lighting, air quality, and low noise levels.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirements
All team players must be eligible to work in the United States, verified by completion of USCIS Form I-9 document.
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
It is the policy of Reading Horizons to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Disclaimer
This job description does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that the team player must do for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.