POSITION: Director of Talent Operations
LOCATION: DSST: Home Office located in Denver, CO
SALARY: $102,800-$119,900 based on aligned years of experience up to 10 years. We also offer a relocation stipend for anyone joining us from 75 miles or more from Denver!
STATUS: Full time year round, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position
START: Immediate. You can view the current School Year Calendar here.
The Director of Talent Operations leads the design, execution, and continuous improvement of DSST’s people systems, ensuring that every team member, leader and partner experiences a high-functioning, responsive, and human-centered Talent Operations team. This role oversees all operational components of the employee lifecycle, including people data, HR service delivery, compensation & benefits, employee relations, and performance & engagement systems while upholding DSST’s commitment to equity, compliance, transparency and the Human Condition.
The Director is a strategic, operational and cultural leader who ensures Talent Operations is a trusted partner, a source of clarity and a driver of strong employee engagement and retention in service of excellent student outcomes.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Vision
Lead a department consisting of People Data, Total Rewards, Human Resources, Employee Relations and People Performance & Engagement teams.
Develop and execute a Talent Operations strategy grounded in DSST’s values, commitment to equity, and the Human Condition.
Build systems, policies and processes that are consistent, human-centered, and grounded in compliance and best practice.
Serve as a thought partner to senior leadership on organization wide people systems, compliance and operations.
Use data to identify trends, anticipate needs, and drive proactive solutions across the network
Serve as the organization’s go-to expert on DSST HR operations, policies, and procedures, ensuring clarity, alignment, and consistency across all schools and teams.
People Data (Workday & Reporting) Oversight
Ensure Workday and all HR systems are accurate, optimized, and aligned with organizational needs.
Oversee position control, organizational structure integrity, and employee data governance.
Ensure high-quality, routine data audits that support compliance, payroll accuracy, and decision-making.
Drive the development of dashboards, reporting suites, and analytics that support leaders in planning and performance.
Total Rewards Leadership (Compensation & Benefits)
Oversee the design, administration, and continuous improvement of DSST’s compensation structures, salary policies, benefits offerings, and leave programs.
Partner with Finance, Legal, and HR teams to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations (FMLA, paid leave, workers' compensation, etc.).
Lead annual compensation reviews, market benchmarking, and equitable pay analyses.
Ensure team members have timely, clear information about their pay and benefits.
Human Resources (HR) Service Delivery & Compliance
Oversee daily execution of HR operations, including onboarding, offboarding, employment transactions, licensure audits, and I-9 compliance.
Ensure timely, high-quality customer service to team members, managers, and school leaders across 17 campuses.
Standardize workflows, SLAs, and processes to ensure consistency and operational excellence.
Partner with school leaders to ensure HR operations support retention, culture, and staff experience.
Ensure team alignment with all employment laws and regulatory requirements.
Employee Relations (ER) Governance
Provide oversight and guidance for employee relations, including investigations, corrective action processes, and performance-related concerns.
Ensure policies, practices, and action steps are aligned to DSST’s values, legal standards, and equitable outcomes.
Partner with Legal, HR leadership, and school leaders to navigate sensitive ER matters and risks.
Oversee training and tools for managers to build readiness around accountability and conflict resolution.
People Performance & Engagement Systems
Oversee design, implementation, and continuous improvement of DSST’s performance evaluation systems, goal-setting structures, and feedback mechanisms.
Drive engagement strategies, employee surveys, action planning processes, and recognition programs.
Partner with leadership to build practices that support retention, wellbeing, and continuous improvement.
Promote a culture of clarity, coaching, and transparency in performance management.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, coach, and develop a multi-functional Talent Operations team.
Build a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, accountability and service excellence.
Set clear priorities, manage workload distribution, and promote sustainable practices that prevent burnout.
Build systems for quality control, training, and cross-functional alignment within Talent Operations.
Other duties as assigned based on organizational priorities
Model our Core Values, Commitment to the Human Condition, and our commitment to equity as a Leader within the Network
Play an active leadership role in building and sustaining Home Office culture
Engage with our school communities to actively build relationships between our schools and the home office
Participate in & support the execution of Home Office & Network-wide events
Skills:
People Leader: Deep reservoir of commitment to being a “partner in the people space” by building meaningful relationships with DSST leaders and team members in order to support DSST’s mission of closing the achievement gap.
Ability to build trust with DSST leaders and team members through consistent communication and action aligned with our DSST’s view of the Human Condition.
Demonstrated flexibility and ability to juggle competing priorities.
Team Leader:
The ability to lead, develop, and inspire a team of HR professionals (may include leading and managing other HR Business Partners) in a high growth, rapidly changing environment
The ability to understand business goals as well as design and implement new approaches, policies and procedures to effect continual improvements in business objectives, productivity and development of HR within the company
The desire and ability to be an influential and credible senior HR leader within the team, including setting the tone, agenda, and direction of the HR team and providing the necessary support, follow up, and leadership to ensure the team achieves desired results
Understand the entire talent system and each stage of the employee lifecycle and applies that understanding to craft integrated solutions that are thoughtful and reinforced by upstream and downstream talent programs
Systems & Data: A belief in the power of systems & data to shape our understanding and help navigate an equitable & effective path forward.
Develop comprehensive HR systems, protocols, documentation, and guidance.
A desire to constantly learn in order to both problem-solve critical challenges as well as discover new approaches to supporting DSST team members.
Project Leadership: Determination to independently lead high-quality network-level project work that supports critical Human Capital initiatives in a way that demonstrates our commitment to people.
Ability to lead assigned projects to completion including creating & executing project documentation, cross-functional project meetings, all staff communications and project reflections.
Displays maturity and ability to work independently
Detailed-oriented, strong follow-through skills
Strong time management skills, ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
Interest in performing a critical support role and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, results-oriented environment;
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
7-10 years of professional experience including project management and proven ability to lead challenging people work
5+ years of experience as a human resource business partner
5+ years of network/company wide project management experience
5+ years of Employee Relations experience
5+ years of demonstrated success in reaching team goals or project/initiative success.
5+ years of demonstrated success working across multiple teams/stakeholders
Deep understanding of HR functions and best practices
Demonstrated proficiency in written HR communications to employees
Excellent organization & time-management skills
Demonstrated ability to lead other adults in moving forward with shared work
Bachelor’s Degree required
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS
Degree or other HR certifications
Who We Are
At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to achieve transformational results for our 7,500+ students — 97% of whom attend a Green (top-rated) school. Just as important is how we achieve them: values-centered, human-focused, and together.
We invite educators and leaders who share our belief that there is more in us — more brilliance, more courage, more possibility — to join us.
Our Impact
100% of DSST graduates have been admitted to college or a postsecondary program
15 of 16 schools rated Green on the 2024–25 SPF
9 out of 10 DSST families would recommend DSST to a friend
95%+ of staff say their managers check in regularly and care about them as people
Why Work at DSST?
At DSST, our Quantum 5 Culture defines how we help every team member grow, belong, and thrive.
Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: Competitive pay and a Total Rewards package that includes fertility and adoption support, educator-focused mental-health care, and everyday perks like Safeway grocery discounts.
Growth & Opportunity: Weekly 1:1 coaching, data-driven feedback, and clear career pathways such as Apprentice Teacher and Emerging Leader.
Rewards & Recognition: Core Value and TOAST Awards, milestone celebrations, and the signature Flower Person Award honoring staff who help our community flourish.
Whole Human Wellness: Access to the Therapist of Color Collaborative, Wellness Wednesdays, comprehensive health coverage, and six weeks of paid parental leave.
Thriving in Colorado: Time to recharge with 11+ weeks off each year, relocation support for out of state applicants, and local discounts that help you enjoy life in our beautiful sunshine filled state.
Learn more about our Quantum 5 Culture and Compensation & Benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.
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 job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.