Description:   Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
                                 
Salary:            Board Approved Salary Schedule/Full-time, 12 months

Location:        District Office

Available:      2026-2027

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Reports To:     Superintendent

Job Goal:        The Chief Human Resources Officer serves as the district’s strategic leader for people and culture—building systems that attract, develop, and retain high-quality employees in every role. Under limited direction, the CHRO plans, develops, and implements all human resource functions for the district, with a focus on using data to drive decision-making, improve organizational effectiveness, and align talent management with the district’s mission of Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Each Child, Every Day.     

Essential Functions:

Strategic Leadership

• Serves as a key member of the Superintendent’s Senior Leadership Team, contributing to districtwide strategy, performance, and culture.
• Designs and implements HR systems that support the district’s strategic plan and ensure alignment between staffing, performance, and student outcomes..
• Provides data-driven insights to inform staffing models, retention strategies, compensation structures, and pipeline planning.
• Builds a high-functioning Human Resources team focused on service, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Recruitment and Retention

• Leads all recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes for certified and classified employees, ensuring efficient practices.
• Develops and monitors comprehensive recruitment campaigns that strengthen the teacher pipeline.
• Establishes retention dashboards and feedback systems to identify trends and guide targeted support and recognition efforts.
• Partners with universities, alternative certification programs, and workforce agencies to expand candidate pipelines.
• Perform other related work as assigned or required

Talent Systems, Data, and Technology

• Oversees development and use of HR analytics, dashboards, and key performance indicators to monitor workforce trends (e.g., turnover, attendance, evaluation results, hiring timelines).
• Leads efforts to modernize HR information systems (HRIS), digital recordkeeping, and workflow automation to enhance transparency and efficiency.
• Promotes integration of HR data with Finance, Payroll, and Student Information Systems to ensure accuracy, alignment, and insight-driven decision-making.
• Collaborates with the Finance and Academic divisions to ensure accurate staffing allocations and alignment of HR data with budget, payroll, and student data systems.
• Recommends policy or procedural changes based on analysis of data and best practices.

Employee Relations and Compliance

• Ensures compliance with federal and state employment laws, district policies, and certification regulations.
• Serves as the district’s Title IX Coordinator and ADA compliance officer.
• Provides guidance to principals and supervisors on employee relations, progressive discipline, and conflict resolution.
• Oversees the development and consistent implementation of evaluation systems for certified and classified staff.

Compensation, Benefits, and Development

• Administers salary schedules, pay adjustments, and leave policies in coordination with Finance.
• Supports design of compensation models and incentive systems that promote attendance, performance, and retention.
• Oversees employee wellness, recognition, and professional growth initiatives.
• Coordinates programs for beginning teachers and leadership pipeline development.

Operations and Supervision

• Directs the daily operations of the Human Resources Department, including employee records, contract management, and personnel transactions.
• Supervises and evaluates Human Resources staff, fostering a culture of service, accountability, and innovation.
• Manages the HR budget and ensures responsible stewardship of district resources.
• Represents the district in state and regional HR organizations and serves as liaison to legal counsel on personnel matters.

Education and Experience:

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Education, Public Administration, or related field required.
• Specialist or Doctorate in a related field preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years successful experience in leadership (principal or higher).
• Valid South Carolina Leadership Certification (Superintendent or Principal) preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading people operations or human capital systems that improve organizational performance.

Special Requirements

• Possess and maintain a valid South Carolina driver’s license or ability to provide own transportation.
• Ability to travel to schools and professional meetings; occasional overnight travel required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of state and federal employment law, certification processes, and HR best practices.
• Demonstrated success using data systems (e.g., PowerSchool, Munis, or comparable HRIS) to inform strategic decisions.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills with a service-oriented mindset.
• Ability to build trust, maintain confidentiality, and foster positive relationships across employee groups.
• Commitment to the district’s core values of Excellence, Evidence-Based Practice, Urgency, Partnership, Innovation, and Candor.

About Darlington County School District

In the Darlington County School District, we believe in challenging our students and pushing their boundaries through classroom and life experiences, rigorous standards, and innovative teaching. The DCSD is a countywide district serving more than 9,000 students in 22 schools and programs. All schools and the district are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools/AdvancED and the S.C. Department of Education. In addition to regular classes, DCSD offers a variety of educational opportunities to challenge our students. Specialized programs include a countywide magnet STEM high school, a countywide Career and Technology Education Center, a K-12 virtual academy, an elementary Montessori program, a Biomedical program, an Early College program, an International Baccalaureate program, Adult Education, and more. For students who struggle academically, our district offers interventionists and computer- assisted learning. Darlington County School District is committed to providing a technology-rich education by providing a fully connected educational environment with a one-to-one student/device ratio for all students, K-12. Our evolving initiative to create a...nd maintain a common curriculum, resources, and assessments in all of our schools continues to prove effective. Additionally, our Professional Learning Communities enable educators to work collaboratively to study assessment data and teaching strategies in order to employ best practices. We believe that exceptional teachers are vital to a student’s success, and DCSD is working to invest in our educators and their environments. Our students are the future, and we must do everything we can to strengthen their pathways to success. We work hand-in-hand with our Board of Education in this mission, and together we are building a world-class education system by focusing on the needs of every child, every day. In the Darlington County School District, we nurture and empower students and staff to successfully utilize their skills and knowledge, while fostering relationships for personal and professional success. The Darlington County School District: Excellence in Teaching and Learning for All.

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