Director of People & Performance

Join Our Movement to Inspire the Next Generation!

Kids in the Game sport and enrichment-based programs can be found in schools and communities across New York City, serving thousands of children every year. Our goal is to provide positive experiences and opportunities through sports and creative play. We inspire kids to embrace new experiences, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and build integrity. Our work is focused on achieving five ultimate impacts:

• Enhancing emotional intelligence

• Creating a positive sense of self

• Developing NYC into the nation’s top talent hub

• Integrating our communities

• Narrowing the income inequality gaps

We believe that what sets us apart is who we are and how we connect with people. We are a Certified B Corporation and we’re committed to doing business for good. We are striving every day to have a positive impact in the lives of our youth, and we believe that it all starts with being the best part of their day. To learn more about our programs and our team, visit www.kidsinthegame.com.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a Director of People & Performance who can lead key elements of the employee life cycle and experience for our team of 200+ year-round part time and full time employees based in New York City. Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, this position orchestrates the strategic vision for performance management, employee coaching and mentorship, learning and development programs for both entry-level and management staff, and specialized training for part-time recess coaches, after-school coaches, sports coaches, and summer camp staff.

The ideal candidate for this position has 5+ years of experience working in human resources at a management level and a strong knowledge of labor, wage, and employment law. They should value being a people manager and possess the ability to build authentic relationships, and the desire to be part of a collaborative team culture. They should have a passion for youth-based programs, sports and play, and developing talent in a younger workforce. They should be able to connect with people at all levels, listen and act with empathy, and make decisions that will lead to the greatest social impact for our kids and staff.

Note: This is a full time position based in New York City, which requires working 4 days in our office in the Flatiron District of Manhattan and 1 day remotely each week. Candidates must be willing to travel to visit program sites located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx (accessible via public transportation).

The key functions of your role will include: 

Talent Selection and Onboarding:

• Collaborate with the Chief People Officer and Senior Director of Recruitment & Partnerships to execute recruitment, hiring, and retention strategies

• Design talent acquisition, interviewing, and orientation processes tailored for part-time staff, seasonal summer staff, and full-time employees in coordination with the Director of Recruitment & Partnerships

• Participate in interviewing and hiring, especially for seasonal leadership positions and full-time roles, utilizing customized interviewing models to evaluate candidate skills and competencies

• Develop and lead orientation and onboarding sessions for new hires

Performance Management & Talent Development:

• Work with leadership to identify staff development needs, workforce challenges or talent gaps, and learning solutions

• Work with leadership to enhance our compensation strategies, including salary bands, hourly rates, year-end and performance-based bonuses, attendance incentives, and other benefits

• Collaborate with the Training Committee to develop and administer training plans for seasonal and full time employees, interns, fellows, etc.

• Implement and manage frameworks for defining employee competencies and performance review processes to ensure a high-performing environment and a culture of continuous improvement

• Create learning and development programs and initiatives to bolster competencies across the organization; provide internal PD opportunities and identify external resources for group-based and self-directed learning

• Oversee and administer employee disciplinary meetings, exit interviews, terminations, and investigations in collaboration with direct managers

• Provide 1:1 and small group coaching to managers and employees to resolve conflicts, improve working relationships, and address performance issues

• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality and trust to provide a safe and inclusive workplace

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) learning strategy aligned with organizational goals and values in partnership with the DEI Committee
• Collaborate with senior leadership and relevant stakeholders to assess DEI training needs and prioritize learning objectives.
• Design and deliver DEI training programs and workshops for employees at all levels, including entry-level staff, management, and leadership teams.
• Partner with external consultants, trainers, or organizations to enhance DEI learning initiatives and access specialized expertise or resources.

Employee Engagement:

• Foster employee engagement through regular personal interactions with part-time and full-time staff to cultivate strong working relationships and a positive office culture.

• Collaborate with the Employee Relations Coordinator to plan and attend staff events, including semi-annual work retreats.

• Review and enhance the current employee engagement and appreciation plan, exploring new rewards options and proposing innovative strategies.

Compliance & Benefits Partnership:

• Stay abreast of HR trends, best practices, and regulatory changes, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Maintain accurate employee data and records in the Paycom HRIS, including interview forms, hiring recommendations, promotions, transfers, terminations, employee performance reviews, background checks, references, etc.
• Document staff incidents, injuries, and claims; submit required forms and reports to relevant agencies
• Administer HRIS and benefits training programs to train employees on relevant apps and online portals
• Work with Chief People Officer to administer Employee Assistance Program

Compensation: 

• Salary Range: $76,000 - $80,000 base salary commensurate with prior HR management experience

• Annual & performance based raise of 4-5% 

• Semi-annual bonuses totaling $2,000 - $4,000

• Health care, HSA, 401K, commuter benefits, and wellness benefits totaling $11,000 annually

What We’ll Love About You

• You’re a people-focused leader; you care about others and create supportive practices to uplift and unite your team

• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written skills), actively listen to other, and act with empathy in all interactions

• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to process large amounts of information and identify key takeaways / recommendations

• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality

• Strong ability to multitask and manage multiple deadlines concurrently

• Ability to manage team members with varying levels of HR experience

• Be an enthusiastic go-getter who will take initiative and problem solve

Why This Role Might be Right For You

• You have an interest and curiosity for sports, summer camp, and all things youth development!

• You’re comfortable hearing others’ opinions and incorporating feedback to improve processes and outcomes

• You can tap into creative ideas from different team members and other companies to create a dynamic employee experience

• You have the ability to relate to the experiences of diverse communities across NYC and care deeply about advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion

What You’ll Love About Us

• We are a youthful, passionate, and committed team of individuals who care about our youth and city

• We support each other personally and professionally by encouraging a growth mindset and shared sense of purpose

• We value work/life balance and personal autonomy when it comes to managing your time and schedule

• We regularly participate in company social leagues and sporting events

• We host semi-annual leadership retreats to build team cohesion and promote collaborative strategic planning

• We provide a total rewards package including: 

  • Health / dental / vision benefits

  • 401K with employer matching contributions

  • Commuter benefits

  • Gym membership / health & wellness reimbursement

  • Free summer camp for your children (if applicable)

Our Commitment to You

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and we believe strongly in the value of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. We accept applications from all interested candidates, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

You can expect to be welcomed into an engaging and spirited environment that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, open communication, and collaboration. We are proud to foster an inclusive environment where our team members feel respected by and connected to one another. We celebrate the unique experiences, perspectives, and passions of our employees, and we look forward to adding dynamic personalities to our team.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Extensive experience in HR, with a focus on performance management, coaching, and employee development

• Proven track record of designing and implementing successful learning and development programs

• Strong understanding of employment laws, regulations, and best practices

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, & project management tools (e.g. Asana, Monday, Rippling)

• Proficiency using SaaS payroll tools (e.g. Gusto, ADP, Paycom)

• Proficiency with HRIS and talent management systems

Education and Experience:

• BA or BS in Human Resource Management, Organizational Psychology, Organizational Leadership, or a Business Administration degree with a concentration in Human Resources is required. MA / MS in Human Resources, Business Administration, or Public Administration is highly preferred.

• A minimum of 5-6 years of human resource experience preferred with at least 3 of those years in a manager-level role. Experience should include a combination of HR systems management, performance management, and learning & development. 

• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification is highly desired. If not currently certified, candidates must be willing to complete the certification within the first year of employment.

Other Requirements:

• This is an OT Exempt position with in-person work expectations

• COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory and proof of vaccination is required

• NYC Department of Education fingerprinting clearance