The Organization

Prospect Schools is a high-performing, intentionally diverse ("diverse by design") K-12 college preparatory charter network serving more than 2,700 students in seven (soon to be nine!) schools in Brooklyn. Prospect Schools models its curriculum on the renowned International Baccalaureate Program, a rigorous program that raises the level of academic responsibility for students while also preparing them to be global citizens.

Our experienced team is dedicated to our mission to prepare a diverse student body to have a positive impact on society and develop a lifelong passion for learning, and guided by our Core Values:

• Curiosity: Develop sound judgment and intellect by asking questions confidently and thinking critically

• Care: Support others by grounding every action in empathy while championing equity and inclusion

• Persistence: Grow and learn by solving problems with determination, creativity and tenacity

• Passion: Succeed by approaching challenges with excitement, enthusiasm and self-assurance

We have a vision to become, by 2030, the leading network of intentionally diverse schools where all students and educators can learn, work and thrive. Find out more about who we are and what we believe by spending a few minutes reading our 2024 Annual Report.

The Role

The Director of People Programs & Projects, People & Equity Team serves as a strategic partner to the Chief People & Equity Officer (CPEO) and a connector across the People & Equity Team’s three subteams (HR Operations, Employee Relations & Engagement, and Talent). The Director plays a critical role in translating the CPEO’s vision into clear priorities, coordinated action, and measurable results.

Working in close partnership with the CPEO, the Director will own and drive several high-priority initiatives while also developing operational systems and structures that allow the People & Equity Team to work with clarity, efficiency, and purpose. While the CPEO sets the overarching direction, the Director has meaningful decision-making authority within their workstreams and is responsible for ensuring that initiatives are well-designed, implemented effectively, and sustained over time.

This role also represents the People & Equity Team in organizational conversations, strengthens cross-functional partnerships, and ensures steady progress on key priorities related to employee engagement, compliance, performance management, and culture-building. Over time, the Director may take on additional complex projects and leadership responsibilities as they deepen their understanding of Prospect’s systems and strategy.

This is an ideal role for a systems-minded, equity-centered leader who is energized by turning vision into action, thrives on collaboration, and brings both strategic thinking and hands-on execution to their work.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Team Operations

• Serve as the CPEO’s thought partner and strategic executor in setting the People & Equity Team’s vision, priorities, and annual goals across all subteams

• Lead annual and mid-year planning processes, ensuring alignment between team priorities and organizational strategy

• Build and maintain systems for progress monitoring, including dashboards, scorecards, and regular reporting on strategic initiatives

• Collaborate with People & Equity Directors to surface and address risks, capacity gaps, and interdependencies that could impact priorities

• Support sequencing, resourcing, and execution of strategic initiatives, ensuring CPEO’s vision is translated into actionable, trackable plans

Project & Workflow Management

• Drive cross-functional project management across HR, Employee Relations, and Talent workstreams

• Manage special initiatives that require coordination across the People & Equity Team and Prospect Schools as a whole

• Partner with People & Equity Directors to integrate workstreams, minimize duplication, and ensure shared accountability

• Integrate and maintain project management tools and processes that improve efficiency, visibility, and accountability for deliverables, ensuring that the CPEO’s initiatives are clearly communicated, well-coordinated, and delivered on time

People Programs & Initiatives

• Lead the design, launch, and ongoing management of the Master Teacher Program, including research with peer schools and stakeholder engagement to ensure tailored PD, coaching, and incentives that build veteran teacher skill, recognition, and retention

• Project manage the DEI initiatives and programs built and decided by the CEO and CPEO to ensure there is a consistent and focused effort on embedding equity into People & Equity systems and practices to foster belonging and creating opportunities for shared learning, dialogue, and action aligned with Prospect’s equity priorities

• Manage organizational culture initiatives, focused on the recognition and appreciation of staff and their dedicated efforts to Prospect schools using survey data and staff feedback to design events, materials, acknowledgements and other efforts that make employees feel seen, valued, and supported

• Collaboration with the Director of Employee Engagement and Relations to support larger network initiatives that are aimed at improving the employee experience

• Design and manage an Emerging Leaders Program focused on leader development to build critical skills to support network growth and foster a sense of investment and commitment among staff

• Build and manage strategic people operations external partnerships (ADP, VidCruiter, etc.) to enhance operations, strengthen recruitment, retention, and recognition efforts, and position Prospect Schools as an employer and partner of choice

People & Equity - Internal Communications & Team Culture

• Develop team-wide updates, planning materials, and staff-facing communications in collaboration with the CPEO

• Strengthen internal communication practices to ensure clarity, transparency, and alignment across the People & Equity Team and with other departments.

• Co-design and co-facilitate team culture-building experiences, learning opportunities, and celebrations of success

• Support team effectiveness by aligning meeting structures, decision-making processes, and information-sharing practices

Cross-Functional Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the People & Equity Team in varying levels of leadership meetings, cross-functional working groups, and strategic planning conversations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with leaders across Academics, Finance, Operations, and Schools to ensure alignment between people priorities and network strategy

• Serve as a primary liaison to external consultants, vendors, and partners supporting People & Equity Team priorities, ensuring clear scopes of work, deliverables, budget tracking, and timely payments

• Actively contribute to organization-wide change management efforts led by the People & Equity Team

About You

You are a strategic problem solver who is equally comfortable thinking big-picture and managing details. You value collaboration, build trust quickly, and know how to bring structure to complex or ambiguous work. You are energized by making systems more effective and ensuring that people across the organization have what they need to succeed.

You are motivated to grow your leadership over time, building your expertise in people systems and strategy while deepening your cross-functional influence. You take initiative, seek feedback, and look for ways to improve both processes and relationships. Above all, you center equity in your work and strive to create inclusive systems that serve all employees well.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in HR, education leadership, strategy, operations, or a related field

• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders

• Ability to create clear, impactful presentations, analyses, and communications that effectively inform and engage leaders at all levels

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on empathy, clarity, and purpose

• Experience leading or supporting cross-functional teams, ideally in a mission-driven or equity-centered organization

• High level of cultural competence and commitment to building intentionally diverse and inclusive environments

• Experience working in or alongside HR, Talent, or People functions a strong plus

Salary

Employees at Prospect Schools are provided with a competitive salary. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role. The salary range for this role is from $116,000-$156,941.

Compensation and Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Vacation Days

• 401(K) and Roth 401(K) with a 4% employer match with a 3-year vesting schedule

• Flexible spending accounts, including Transit Commuter Options, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA options

• Ancillary insurance, including Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, and Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program with free expert support services to assist with a variety of life issues, from family care to mental health services

EEO and ADA Statement

EEO and ADA Statement Prospect Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We actively recruit, hire, and retain a diverse and inclusive staff. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Prospect Schools is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at: careers@prospectschools.org.

The critical features of this job are described above; they may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.