Munich International School (MIS), located in Starnberg, South of Munich, Germany, is an innovative, learning-centred, and comprehensive international school for students aged 4 to 18 years.
Our Schools’ Mission is to nurture, challenge and inspire our students to become
- academically successful, life-long learners
- creative and innovative thinkers
- ethical, globally-minded contributors
- healthy, well-balanced individuals
who will thrive and positively impact in a complex and changing world.
Currently, our school employs approximately 180 educators, 60 administrative staff members, as well as over 100 adjunct employees (coaches, activity leaders, substitute teachers etc).
We are looking for a
Director of Human Resources (m/f/d)
as a full-time senior leader at the school beginning in Autumn / Winter 2023/24.
Roles and Responsibilities
Munich International School is an organisation of, by, and for people. People are our most important resource and form the heart, soul, and hands of our organisation. The Director of Human Resources (DHR) is a partner and leader in developing and implementing strategies to maximise the quality, impact, and well-being of our organisation’s people. The DHR collaborates with the Head of School, with the School Leadership Team, with the Board of Directors, and with the entire faculty and staff of the school in order to plan, implement, evaluate, and improve policies, initiatives, procedures, and programmes that enable the school to leverage its human resources to achieve its ambitious mission. The DHR reports to the Head of School.
The Director of Human Resources is a senior leader in the school and works in both the educational and business / operational sides of the organisation. Specifically, the DHR supports the School in:
- People & Culture Strategy: Researching, defining, and implementing human resources strategies to maximise the quality, impact, and well-being of the employees of MIS.
- Thought partner: Consulting and collaborating with the Head of School, the COO, the Board of Directors and other school leaders on all personnel-related topics.
- HR Structures & Processes: Ensuring best-in-class services to the MIS organisation by developing and implementing human resources tools and procedures that are effective, clear, impactful, and well-managed, including:
- HR reporting and personnel management systems
- Salaries and benefits systems
- Systems that interface with Finance, the school section offices, Advancement, and external partners.
- Recruitment: Supporting the Head of School and the School Leadership Team by leveraging procedures and partnerships that improve the School’s ability to attract candidates who are maximally aligned with the School’s mission, values, and priorities and by creating processes that maximise efficiency and effectiveness in recruiting, onboarding, and developing new employees.
- Leadership Coaching: Leading and supporting the further development of a first class leadership culture in the organisation.
- Professional Growth and Development: Leading the identification, development, implementation, and management of procedures and systems to support continuous growth and development of all employees.
- Social and Health: Instituting policies and procedures to guarantee a healthy and pro-social working environment for all employees.
- Legal and Compliance: Providing advice and leadership with regard to navigating the rapidly changing landscape of labour-related regulations and requirements.
- Labour Relations: Interfacing with important partners within and beyond the organisation who influence relationships with employees, including the works council, labour unions, and representatives of individuals and groups of employees.
- Succession Planning: Supporting the transition of key employees and leaders within the School to minimise disruptions and maximise the smooth continued operation of all aspects of School business.
- HR-Related Marketing and Communications: Supporting the Advancement team in communicating messages related to human resources issues to increase employer attractiveness and visibility.
- Beginning and End of Tenure: Leading measures to support employees who are transitioning into MIS and managing issues arising as employees transition out of the School.
- Human Resources Team: Acting as the leader, motivator and supervisor of the School’s team of human resources professionals (currently five employees).
In addition, the Head of School may assign additional work and duties to the DHR as needed.
In carrying out these duties, the Director of Human Resources shall observe:
- all relevant labour regulations in Germany and Bavaria
- the MIS Articles of Association and the MIS Board Policy Manual
- all currently valid MIS collective bargaining agreements
- all currently valid works council agreements
- all resolutions taken by the Board of Directors which bear directly upon the work of the DHR
Preferred Professional Qualifications:
- Several years of generalist HR professional and management experience in a dynamic and internationally oriented organisation
- An advanced degree in human resources, business, or another relevant field (management, law, psychology etc)
- Experience in the development of modern personnel concepts and support of change processes
- Strong communication and presentation skills with a confident appearance and advanced proficiency in German and English
- Professional understanding of employment law and labour relations issues
Preferred Personal Qualities:
- Ability to negotiate with a win-win approach and to persuade and reach consensus while remaining loyal to the School’s mission, values, and priorities;
- Intercultural competencies and experience;
- Results- and solutions-driven leader who aims for impact;
- Courage, integrity, curiosity, and a commitment to continued learning and growth.
Application Procedure:
If this position description fits well with your experience, qualifications, and aspirations, we would be thrilled to hear from you.
Applicants must follow these application guidelines carefully: Candidates must send their application (in a single PDF document) to employment@mis-munich.de, comprised of:
- a letter of introduction and interest (maximally 500 words),
- a complete résumé (including clear indications of completed qualifications; maximally two sides),
- names and contact details of at least two recent and relevant references whom we may contact on your behalf immediately.
Please submit all required application materials as early as possible, in any case by 30 September 2023. We will begin reviewing applications and conducing initial interviews on a rolling basis.
Please feel welcome to check for further details on our homepage (www.mis-munich.de/careers/vacancies).
