Managing Director, People Operations & Total Rewards

Position Overview

The Managing Director (MD) of People Operations & Total Rewards leads KIPP NYCs People Operations function end-to-end for a total staff of close to 2000 employees ensuring accurate timely and high-trust delivery of payroll benefits leave administration onboarding/offboarding and People Ops systems and data. This leader drives integration and efficiency across payroll benefits and HR systems sets governance and service standards and modernizes workflows to reduce manual work while improving employee self-service and reporting.

This role reports to the Chief People Officer and works closely with Finance Technology and School Operations to ensure People Operations infrastructure supports KIPP NYCs talent strategy growth and compliance responsibilities. The MD will lead a six person people operations team with coverage across payroll and timekeeping benefits leave administration onboarding and offboarding and people systems and lifecycle operations support.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

People Operations Strategy Governance and Service Standards

• Own the People Operations strategy and roadmap including priorities for systems modernization payroll operations and total rewards delivery.
• Establish operational standards and service-level expectations (e.g. payroll accuracy case response standards HRIS data quality).
• Build team capacity and sustainable coverage by creating and maintaining standard operating procedures that reduce reliance on any single individual.
• Ensure interdependencies across the People team function and other departments are being met with appropriate benchmarks for data integrity handoff completion and process compliance (e.g. Technology Finance and Schools).

Payroll Operations Timekeeping and Payroll Modernization

• Ensure accurate and timely payroll delivery including governance for changes approvals and remediation planning.
• Lead payroll and timekeeping modernization and systems building including managed services optimization of payroll system and policy work that improves accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversee and stabilize payroll workstreams (e.g. stipend and pay company coding) to protect financial integrity and audit readiness.

Total Rewards Operations (benefits leave administration and integrations)

• Oversee benefits administration and total rewards operations so programs support recruitment retention and pay equity.
• Guide benefits program operations and integrations (e.g. leave code updates vendor/API integrations) to strengthen employee experience and accuracy.
• Provide input into organization-wide compensation and benefits frameworks and related communications.

Employee Life-Cycle Operations: Onboarding Offboarding and HRIS continuity

• Ensure onboarding and HRIS operations remain steady during transitions and staffing changes so schools and employees experience consistent service.
• Coordinate offboarding operations in partnership with cross-functional teams to support a reliable employee lifecycle experience (systems access changes final steps and service continuity).

People Operations Systems and Data Integrity

• Lead systems modernization to improve automation reporting and employee self-service (including any platform transitions and system upgrades).
• Use data to drive strategic initiatives on the People team ensuring an employees lifecycle within the organization is tracked with accuracy.
• Oversee People Systems & Data initiatives (e.g. recruiting-to-HRIS migration employee/org data cleanup service ticketing rollout data governance and dashboards).

Employee Training and Service Delivery

• Build strategy around design implement and manage program plans related timelines for system improvement transition and/or migration for widespread adoption. (e.g. UKG Pro transition).
• Build and implement training modules webinars and related articles on Hugo Hub in order to align and roll out exceptional implementation of people-related systems.

Vendor Management and Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead vendor selection implementation and performance management for HR technology managed services and benefits partners.
• Partner with Finance Technology and School Ops on integrations reporting and governance so workforce data supports budgeting and planning.
• Oversee contractors/temporary support by defining scope evaluating deliverables and reducing dependency over time through process stabilization.

*How to Apply: KIPP NYC has engaged JoHo Talent Network and Lara Silvas Consulting to lead the search for our Managing Director People Operations & Total Rewards. To apply please complete the application here by March 2 2026.

Qualifications :

• 10 years of progressive People Operations leadership including meaningful ownership of payroll and benefits operations in a complex organization.
• Demonstrated success leading HRIS/system transitions process modernization and data governance initiatives (ideally UKG experience).
• Strong command of operational controls audit readiness documentation/SOP development and service delivery models (case/ticketing helpful).
• Excellent cross-functional leadership skills with Finance Technology and Operations; confident executive presence and stakeholder management.
• Commitment to equitable consistent employee practices and high-trust operational execution.

Leadership Approach

• A relationship-centered visible leader who earns trust through presence transparency and integrity.
• Balances urgency for results with empathy for people building a culture where feedback and care coexist.
• Systems-oriented with the discipline to create clarity and the flexibility to adapt.
• Collaborative and humble; values diverse perspectives and creates space for others to lead.
• Deeply aligned with KIPP NYCs mission of joyful high-expectation education for all students.

Additional Information :

Compensation and Benefits:

The base salary range for this position is $165000- $200000. Salary ranges at KIPP NYC are standardized based on role level and role function. Individual salaries are determined through a lens of equity accounting for years of experience relevant to the role and scope of responsibilities and are benchmarked against others within the same salary band.

KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package including but not limited to the following:  

• Robust benefits include medical dental and vision. 
• 403(b) retirement plan with a 50% match after 6 months.
• Generous Time-Off aligned with the school calendar
• Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave. 
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder Care.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Short-term/Long-term disability.
• Employee incentives include an 8-week paid Sabbatical after 10 years annual professional development funds and tuition reimbursement. 

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

This is a full-time in-person role based in New York City and will require travel to our schools. If you are not in a school-based position the cadence and frequency of travel to schools is determined by your leadership team. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY your employment will be subject to review which may include separation from KIPP NYC. It is important that you notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate.

KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization. 

KIPP NYC LLC is committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. 

KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time