Chandler School is an independent K-8 school located in Pasadena, CA, with an enrollment of 450. Founded in 1950, Chandler School abides by its mission to provide each student with the highest quality and most academically challenging education in a nurturing, balanced and diverse environment.

We strive to have our students gain a love of learning, a means of thinking independently and an ability to work collaboratively. A Chandler education seeks to develop good character, self-reliance and a commitment to community in students as a foundation for academic and personal success.

We take pride in our thriving community with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. We learn and grow from one another and respect each others’ creativity and knowledge to promote a nurturing and healthy workplace.

Purpose/Summary:

The Human Resources Manager oversees the day-to-day human resources operations of Chandler School and serves as a key partner to the Director of Finance and Head of School on people, compliance, and risk-related matters. This role is both operational and advisory, with responsibility for executing HR programs while building the foundation for a future Director-level position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Employee Lifecycle & Talent Management

• Coordinate recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and separation for faculty and staff.
• Administer background checks, employment eligibility verification, and personnel documentation.
• Maintain and update job descriptions across all departments.
• Support annual contract issuance and employment agreement administration based on approved terms.

Employee Relations & Performance Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions and routine employee relations matters.
• Support performance management processes, including documentation, timelines, and coaching coordination.
• Partner with the Director of Finance on all investigations, disciplinary actions, corrective action plans, and matters with legal or risk implications.

Compensation, Benefits & Leaves Administration

• Administer employee benefits programs, retirement plans, and leave programs in coordination with brokers and vendors.
• Manage annual open enrollment, benefit communications, and plan documentation.
• Support employees navigating leaves of absence, workers’ compensation, and state benefit programs, in coordination with payroll and legal counsel.
• Administer approved compensation actions and agreement changes.

Payroll Administration

• Process semi-monthly payroll for all faculty and staff, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with approved compensation and employment agreements.
• Maintain payroll data within the HRIS/payroll system, including new hires, status changes, stipends, deductions, and terminations.
• Coordinate payroll approval process with the Director of Finance prior to each payroll run.
• Support annual payroll-related audits, filings, and reconciliations in partnership with the Director of Finance.
• Serve as primary liaison with the payroll provider for day-to-day processing and issue resolution.

Retirement Administration

• Serve as the Plan Administrator for Chandler School’s 403(b) retirement plan, with the Director of Finance acting as Plan Sponsor.
• Administer day-to-day operational aspects of the retirement plan, including eligibility tracking, enrollment, payroll contributions/feeds, loan processing, hardship withdrawals, and vendor coordination.
• Ensure timely and accurate transmission of payroll contributions and required data to plan vendors.
• Maintain plan records and documentation in compliance with ERISA and IRS requirements.
• Coordinate annual audits, nondiscrimination testing, and required filings in partnership with the Director of Finance, payroll provider, auditors, and external advisors.
• Support employee education and communication related to retirement benefits.
• Escalate all plan design decisions, corrections, and compliance issues to the Director of Finance for approval.

Compliance, Risk & Governance

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and training requirements.
• Maintain employee handbook, HR policies, and required postings in collaboration with the Director of Finance and legal counsel.
• Serve as ex-officio to the Board Risk Assessment Committee, supporting documentation, reporting, and follow-up items related to employment risk.

HR Operations, Systems & Reporting

• Manage HRIS systems, workflows, and data integrity.
• Develop and maintain HR procedures, forms, and internal documentation.
• Prepare HR reports and metrics to support audits, budgeting, and leadership decision-making.

Culture, Training & Organizational Support

• • Support a respectful, inclusive workplace culture aligned with Chandler’s mission.
  • Coordinate mandatory and recommended employee training (e.g., harassment prevention, mandated reporter, CPR/First Aid).
  • Coordinate and support employee communication, engagement efforts, and surveys as appropriate.

Skills and Qualifications: 

• Strong working knowledge of California employment law and HR best practices.
• High level of discretion, sound judgment, and emotional intelligence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities.
• Comfortable operating independently while partnering closely with senior leadership.
• Willingness to participate in school-wide initiatives, leadership roles.
• Commitment to Chandler’s mission and values, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, social-emotional learning (SEL), and supporting student well-being

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, Psychology, or Sociology or related field from an accredited institution
• 5–7 years of progressive HR experience; school or nonprofit experience preferred.
• Experience in a private school setting (preferred but not required)
• CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)
• PHR, SPHR, or SHRM certification preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Ability to lift and carry items such as sports equipment or activity supplies, typically up to 30 pounds.
• Regular bending, stooping, kneeling, or crouching to interact with children at their level, assist with activities, or manage supplies.
• Works in an environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges and a varied and diverse array of contacts;
• Ability to move around the school campus, including walking, standing, sitting, bending, and reaching for extended periods.
• Willingness and ability to supervise children in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, or rain, during outdoor play or field trips.
• Moderate noise levels typical of a school environment, including student conversations, classroom activities, and occasional events.
• Standard school-day schedule, with occasional evening or weekend work for special events, meetings, or professional development.

 Application Process:

Interested candidates should send a resume to Natalie Morales, nmorales@chandlerschool.org.

Compensation and Benefits Overview:

Our comprehensive package is designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees

• Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• *Full Time Employees only * Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans available to employees and their dependents. Chandler School pays up to 50% of dependent care coverage.
• *Full Time Employees only * Retirement Plan: Participation in a 403 (b) plan with employer contributions up to 10% of salary.
• Vacation accrual is available to non-faculty employees. Personal and sick days available to all employees in addition to 15 paid holidays.
• Professional Development: Access to ongoing training opportunities and reimbursement for relevant certifications.
• Wellness Support: Every employee receives a wellness stipend.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Possible options for remote work or flexible scheduling to promote work-life balance for certain positions.

Chandler School is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are evaluated without consideration of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Visit the Chandler website at www.chandlerschool.org.

About Chandler School

Chandler School is a K-8 Pasadena independent school set on a knoll adjacent to the Rose Bowl and founded in 1950. Chandler School abides by its mission to provide each student with the highest quality and most academically challenging education in a nurturing, balanced and diverse environment. Chandler strives to have its students gain a love of learning, a means of thinking independently and an ability to work collaboratively. A Chandler education seeks to develop good character, self-reliance and a commitment to community in students as a foundation for academic and personal success.Chandler seeks to sustain a diverse community in which the empathy of every member guides our understanding of human differences. The differences that the School seeks to embrace reflect those in our Pasadena community, our nation, and our world.

Connections working at Chandler School