Educator HR Team Lead

Position: Educator HR Team Lead

Location: Chicago or LA - Hybrid 

Type: Full Time

Salary: $68,500k USD

About Zen Educate: The Revolution in Education Staffing

Tired of the status quo? So are we. Zen Educate isn't just another company; we're a mission-driven startup on a relentless quest to disrupt and revolutionize education staffing across the USA. Right now, schools waste over $2 billion annually on fees, money that should be enriching classrooms and empowering educators. We're here to fundamentally change that.

We use cutting-edge tech to connect schools with incredible educators, putting more money in educators' pockets and saving schools critical funds. We believe every student deserves access to the best education, and that means championing the amazing people who make it happen. We don't just "staff"; we go the extra mile to find, bring in, match, and coach phenomenal educators who are deeply committed to their students' success. We wake up every day on a mission to care more. We care more about our schools. And we care more about our educators.

This isn't just a job; it's a chance to be on the ground floor of a high-growth tech startup that's already making waves, backed by a recent $37 million Series B funding round. We're a scrappy, collaborative team where entrepreneurial spirit is celebrated, and "getting the job done" means pushing boundaries and innovating daily. If you're passionate about learning, growing, and making a tangible difference in a broken system, then you'll thrive here.

About This Role: Lead the Front Line of Educator HR

At Zen Educate, we're not just filling positions; we're empowering a movement. Our flexible platform gives educators control, allowing them to pick up work and providing a critical lifeline in the current staffing crisis. Many educators rely on Zen as their primary income, while others supplement their lives. Regardless, every educator is an hourly W2 employee of Zen, and we are fiercely committed to making Zen an exceptional and innovative place for them to build and grow their careers.

We're searching for a dedicated, results-oriented, and creative HR professional to become our 

Educator HR Team Lead. You’ll be the first level of management for our HR department, directly supervising and mentoring a small, passionate team. This is a hands-on role where you will not only lead your team but also be deeply involved in the daily operations that directly impact our thousands of educators. If you're passionate about coaching others and finding innovative solutions in a fast-paced environment, this is your opportunity to make a tangible impact from day one.

What You'll Be Doing: Coaching, Executing, and Driving Impact

As the Educator HR Team Lead, you'll be instrumental in shaping the day-to-day experience for our educators. Your responsibilities will include:

People Operations & Engagement:

Oversee the day-to-day execution of educator engagement and retention initiatives.

Serve as a point of escalation for your team, helping to resolve complex HR issues with a focus on empathy and efficiency.

Contribute ideas and feedback to help build a culture where educators feel supported and valued.

Implementing HR Systems and Programs:

Execute and help refine HR programs, policies, and employee handbooks.

Maintain and improve our safety and support systems, including incident response protocols.

Navigating Complex Employee Relations:

Manage and resolve sensitive employee relations issues and internal disputes.

Assist in overseeing the handling of classroom incidents and mandated reporting.

Ensuring Nimble Compliance & Employer Obligations:

Oversee daily HR compliance tasks, including managing unemployment claims, workers' compensation programs, and other employer obligations.

Ensure your team’s processes and records are compliant with all relevant state and federal employment laws.

Support audits and reporting by collecting and maintaining accurate HR data.

Who You Are: The Scrappy HR Problem-Solver

You're a doer who thrives on getting things done and coaching others to do the same.

You have 3-5+ years of progressive HR experience, with ideally 1+ years in a team lead or supervisory role.

You have a strong, demonstrable background in employee relations.

You are an expert problem-solver, with the ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

You are a proactive and collaborative leader who can coach and mentor a junior team to success.

You have a strong working knowledge of:

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Title IX.

Workers' compensation and unemployment insurance processes across various states.

Various HRIS and case management systems

What's in it for you?

Work that you want to talk about

Competitive salary

Ownership in the company

15+ days PTO & 9 federal holidays

Fun-loving, tight-knit team solving a problem that makes a difference

Health Insurance

Diversity and Inclusion:

At Zen, we strive to build a culture of equity and inclusion, where everyone is respected, valued and appreciated for their unique traits, experiences and perspectives. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and equitable environment where our team can thrive, regardless of age, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, disability, religion or beliefs. We value our differences and believe that practices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion help us create a fairer, more compassionate environment for all. 

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and different experiences and perspectives — just like the staff who teach through Zen and the children at the schools we work with. We believe in hiring the best people from the widest pool and creating an inclusive culture where people’s voices are heard and all our team can look forward to coming to work. 

We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and promoting an equitable and inclusive environment for all. We seek out diverse opinions, beliefs, and experiences because they collectively make us stronger; we’ve had former teachers, pilots, fundraisers, engineers, lawyers, marketers, social media experts and more join our team.

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