Director of Human Resources

The Foundation of the International School of Geneva seeks to appoint a dynamic, experienced and suitably qualified Director of Human Resources with a track record of success to develop Human Resource strategies and implement processes and programmes to assist the Foundation in fulfilling its aims and accomplishing its strategic objectives.

The successful applicant will lead, influence and advise staff at all levels across the eight schools in the Foundation in matters of HR; will develop, introduce and oversee strategy, policy and practice in all fields of HR and will manage the Human Resources department.

The post offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package together with a considerable opportunity to play a rewarding role in the continuing success of the International School of Geneva.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose
In recent years, there has been significant growth in student numbers at the International School of Geneva and, correspondingly, in its teaching, administrative and technical support staff. The Foundation of the International School of Geneva seeks to appoint a Director of Human Resources to develop Human Resources (HR) strategies and implement processes and programmes to assist in fulfilling the Foundation’s aims and accomplishing its strategic objectives. The Director of Human Resources will provide leadership to help strengthen a culture consistent with the values and mission of the Foundation and this appointment is regarded as a key part of the Foundation’s ongoing development as a leading international school.
The Director of Human Resources will lead, influence and advise staff at all levels in matters of HR. S/he will develop, introduce and oversee HR strategy, policy and practice in all fields of HR including the following: the application of the Convention Collective du Travail (CCT); employee relations; organisational development; talent acquisition and professional development; compensation and benefits; legal compliance and performance management. The Director of Human Resources reports to the Director General of the Foundation and will be a member of the Foundation’s senior leadership team, the Conférence des Directeurs. S/he runs and is responsible for the Human Resources department.
The post offers a considerable opportunity to influence the direction of the International School of Geneva and to play a major role in its continuing success.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities
HR Strategy and Policy

  • Develop, implement and review an annual agenda for HR strategy in line with strategic and operational plans. Ensure HR plans support the needs of the Foundation and its schools but are also flexible enough to cope with changes in the organisation, as and when they occur.
  • Review, update, create and manage all HR policies in the light of the approved HR strategy.

 
Leadership

  • Build and lead the Human Resources department of generalists and specialists, delegating as appropriate to allow staff in the Foundation, on campuses and in schools to be recruited, inducted, coached, managed, supported and advised and to enable the International School of Geneva to fulfil its aims.
  • Appraise all members of HR team.

Recruitment and Staffing

  • Develop staffing strategies, implementation plans and programmes to identify talent within and outside the International School of Geneva for positions of responsibility.
  • Be actively involved in the recruitment and staffing process.

 
Professional Development

  • Develop a talent management process. Partner with directors and principals to develop and implement professional development opportunities, career paths and succession planning.
  • Develop and implement staff training and development policies.
  • Create and deliver leadership development tools and training for middle and senior managers.
  • Provide leadership in the development of the professional appraisal system and implement programmes and tools to manage organisational change.
  • Work with the Foundation’s leadership team to ensure that the CCT for teaching and non-teaching staff is effective, consistently applied and well-communicated to staff.
  • Manage an effective orientation and induction programme that emphasizes the critical importance and value of welcoming and integrating new employees into the Foundation’s culture and educating them on the mission and policies of the International School of Geneva.

 
Administration, Compensation & Benefits

  • Be accountable for the development and management of HR processes and HR information systems in the Foundation and on individual campuses.
  • Oversee the payroll and HR administration processes.
  • Participate in the management and application of the CCT.
  • Work with benefits providers to provide the most comprehensive and favourable employee benefits packages available.

 
Employee Relations & Communication

  • Ensure provision of day-to-day advice to managers on all human resource issues: management of staff, remuneration, etc.
  • Consult with management, supervisors, employees and HR staff regarding the handling of difficult personnel and conflict resolution issues that affect performance and workplace relationships.
  • Establish employee engagement and communication vehicles to keep employees involved, informed and motivated (e.g. employee surveys, meetings, suggestion boxes, newsletter).
  • Act as secretary for and attend monthly meetings between the Commission du Personnel and the Director General and for the renegotiation of the CCT every five years.

 
Employment Law &Compliance

  • Ensure all policies and procedures are up to date and legally compliant.
  • Maintain knowledge of and compliance with Swiss and European HR policies, programmes, laws and issues. Understand the differences and coordinate the integration of all such programmes. Audit compliance with country-specific regulatory bodies.

 
Key Performance Indicators, Planning & Budgeting

  • Submit and manage the HR budget and other financial measures of the Human Resources department.
  • Develop a series of key performance indicators related to human resources and continually assess the effectiveness of all HR programmes and practices against comparable organisations.
  • Use financial information and other key performance indicators to support managers in resource and succession planning.
  • Provide information and reports on data such as staff turnover, references, absence, training hours per person, etc.

 
Contacts

  • •   Interact with colleagues and the governing board within the International School of Geneva   and with external contacts including consultants, candidates and training providers.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience/Education

  • A university degree plus post-graduate qualification in a relevant field.
  • A minimum of 10 years of broad Human Resources experience including five years in a leadership role.
  • A demonstrable track record of developing strategic human resources initiatives, implementing programmes and managing a team for success.
  • Experience in a multinational context is an advantage.
  • Strong working knowledge of employment law in a Swiss context and the ability to apply this to a variety of situations using a pragmatic and common sense approach.
  • Commercial acumen and a good overall understanding of finance.
  • Fluency in both languages of the Foundation: French and English.

 
Personal Attributes

  • • Commitment to global citizenship including an appreciation of and respect for cultural difference.
  • • A passion for the transforming power of education.
  • • Ability to lead and motivate a team, able to delegate effectively, support and develop team members.
  • • Ability to build open, trustworthy relationships with fellow leaders and with employees, through discretion, timely delivery of information and the exercise of good judgement.
  • • Demonstrable maturity, integrity, professionalism, resilience, optimism and gravitas.
  • • Ability to work independently of the Director General, but to consult where appropriate.
  • • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively at all levels internally and externally. Ability to write accurately and be concise as behoves a senior member of staff in an educational establishment. Ability to listen and to handle complex and difficult situations with empathy, thoughtfulness and confidence. Ability to communicate effectively with geographically dispersed employees.
  • • Resourceful, organised and action-oriented: understands what is important to staff, parents and management; commitment to achieving goals.Tenacious approach to timely delivery and quality of output.
  • • Has the intellectual flexibility to change approach as necessary and to problem-solve both operational and strategic issues.
  • • Committed to his or her own professional development.

TERMS

This is a full-time position.
The Foundation offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. Further details of the contract will be discussed with long-listed candidates.
The new Director of Human Resources should ideally be free to take up the position in mid-June, but will be required to commence no later than 1st August 2012.
 

APPLICATION PROCESS

How to apply
Further information about the International School of Geneva can be found at www.ecolint.ch

Applicants should send a cover letter of introduction and their résumé with the names of two referees, one of which should be their current employer to the Director General.

Letters of applications and CVs can be submitted by email to marie-jose.giunta@ecolint.ch

If candidates prefer to send their application by mail, it should be addressed to:
The Director General’s office, Ref. HR March 2012
Ecole Internationale de Genève
62, route de Chêne
CH-1208 Genève
 
Applications must be received by 23rd February 2012.

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be invited to the School in early March. It is hoped that the recruitment process will be successfully concluded by mid-March.

 

Délai de soumission: 
23. February 2012