Human Resources Director
New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA, United States
Position Summary
The Director of Human Resources serves as a strategic and operational partner to leaders, faculty, and staff across NEC. Working closely with the CHRO, this role leads core people initiatives including employee relations, leadership coaching, talent acquisition strategy, talent development, and compensation consultation.
This leader is a visible and trusted resource who brings strong people instincts, sound judgment, compliance expertise, and operational follow-through. The Director helps NEC strengthen a respectful, inclusive workplace while supporting leaders in building high-performing teams aligned with NEC’s mission and culture.
Key Responsibilities Leadership & Management Coaching
Build trusted partnerships with leaders, faculty leadership, and managers
Coach leaders on organizational development, team effectiveness, and leadership capability
Support leaders in navigating complex people situations
Talent Acquisition & Employer Brand
Partner with HR Operations to strengthen and modernize hiring processes and tools
Support managers in equitable, effective hiring practices
Advance NEC’s talent brand to attract high-quality, mission-aligned candidates
Strengthen NEC’s presence across job boards and candidate platforms
Talent Management & Development
Identify development needs across emerging and high-potential talent
Design and implement learning and development programs supporting individual and organizational growth
Build sustainable development processes that balance equitable access with personalized growth pathways
Employee Relations & Workplace Practices
Lead NEC’s employee relations strategy and day-to-day workplace practices
Coach managers through performance management and workplace concerns
Support employees through consultation and resolution of workplace issues
Ensure compliance with employment laws and institutional policies
Promote respectful workplace practices across faculty, staff, and administrative populations
Compensation & Pay Transparency
Partner with the CHRO, HR Operations, and Finance to apply compensation frameworks
Consult with managers on pay decisions and compensation strategy
Support employee understanding of compensation practices
Contribute to pay transparency communication strategies
Leadership & Interpersonal Style
Collaborative, approachable, and consistent across all levels
Makes decisions grounded in facts, fairness, and values
Exercises strong judgment in complex or high-pressure situations
Strong listener who partners effectively with senior faculty and administrative leadership
Balances strategic thinking with execution and follow-through
Operates with trust, integrity, and a fundamental belief in people
Experience & Background
5+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, typically at the Director level or senior HR Business Partner equivalent
Strong expertise in employee relations and leadership coaching
Experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments; higher education, arts, or mission-driven nonprofit experience preferred
Foundational knowledge of compensation practices and talent development strategy
Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and work across diverse populations
NEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
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This leader is a visible and trusted resource who brings strong people instincts, sound judgment, compliance expertise, and operational follow-through. The Director helps NEC strengthen a respectful, inclusive workplace while supporting leaders in building high-performing teams aligned with NEC’s mission and culture.
Key Responsibilities Leadership & Management Coaching
Build trusted partnerships with leaders, faculty leadership, and managers
Coach leaders on organizational development, team effectiveness, and leadership capability
Support leaders in navigating complex people situations
Talent Acquisition & Employer Brand
Partner with HR Operations to strengthen and modernize hiring processes and tools
Support managers in equitable, effective hiring practices
Advance NEC’s talent brand to attract high-quality, mission-aligned candidates
Strengthen NEC’s presence across job boards and candidate platforms
Talent Management & Development
Identify development needs across emerging and high-potential talent
Design and implement learning and development programs supporting individual and organizational growth
Build sustainable development processes that balance equitable access with personalized growth pathways
Employee Relations & Workplace Practices
Lead NEC’s employee relations strategy and day-to-day workplace practices
Coach managers through performance management and workplace concerns
Support employees through consultation and resolution of workplace issues
Ensure compliance with employment laws and institutional policies
Promote respectful workplace practices across faculty, staff, and administrative populations
Compensation & Pay Transparency
Partner with the CHRO, HR Operations, and Finance to apply compensation frameworks
Consult with managers on pay decisions and compensation strategy
Support employee understanding of compensation practices
Contribute to pay transparency communication strategies
Leadership & Interpersonal Style
Collaborative, approachable, and consistent across all levels
Makes decisions grounded in facts, fairness, and values
Exercises strong judgment in complex or high-pressure situations
Strong listener who partners effectively with senior faculty and administrative leadership
Balances strategic thinking with execution and follow-through
Operates with trust, integrity, and a fundamental belief in people
Experience & Background
5+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, typically at the Director level or senior HR Business Partner equivalent
Strong expertise in employee relations and leadership coaching
Experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments; higher education, arts, or mission-driven nonprofit experience preferred
Foundational knowledge of compensation practices and talent development strategy
Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and work across diverse populations
NEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
#J-18808-Ljbffr