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Chief of Human Resources
- Lead an equitable and transparent right-sizing and workforce realignment process that reduces the district's payroll expenditure (currently at 98% of revenue) while minimizing disruption to staff and students.
- Strengthen the HR team by building trust, clarifying roles, and ensuring the division serves as a model of effective, responsive service for the rest of the district.
- Audit and modernize the HR information system (iVisions), correcting misaligned employee categorizations and improving data sharing across departments.
- Develop a deep understanding of both the NEA-LC Las Cruces and Classified Employees and Support Council (CESC-LC) Collective Bargaining Agreements, and ensure all HR decisions are in full compliance.
- Overhaul the hiring and onboarding process to reduce delays, improve the candidate experience, and get qualified staff into classrooms faster.
- Build strong working relationships with principals, Cabinet peers, union leadership, and community partners from day one.
- Significant experience in human resources leadership within a K12 public school district, ideally in a large, urban or semi-urban district with comparable demographics and complexity.
- Demonstrated knowledge of teacher and staff licensure requirements, including familiarity with New Mexico's licensure landscape and alternative certification pathways.
- Experience managing a large HR team and designing systems that support efficiency, accountability, and staff development.
- Proven, positive track record working collaboratively with collective bargaining units, not adversarial, but as a genuine thought partner.
- Deep knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and the Public Employee Bargaining Act of New Mexico, or equivalent state labor law.
- Understanding of federal and state employment law, anti-discrimination requirements, Title IX obligations, and relevant New Mexico case law (e.g., Martinez/Yazzie).
- Experience leading HR through complex employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary processes, and terminations, with both legal precision and human care.
- Strong understanding of the relationship between budget and staffing, including experience with enrollment-driven funding formulas and sustainable workforce planning.
- Experience leading a district through a right-sizing or workforce reduction process, with a track record of managing change in a way that maintains organizational trust and morale.
- Familiarity with HR information systems and data management; ability to leverage data to inform staffing decisions and measure outcomes.
- Deep commitment to equity in all HR practices, from recruitment and hiring to discipline and professional learning.
- Understanding of, or demonstrated ability to learn, the unique sociopolitical, cultural, and linguistic context of southern New Mexico.
- Experience in or strong commitment to bilingual and bicultural communities; bilingualism (English/Spanish) is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with the particular staffing complexities of special education, bilingual programs, and other specialized educational contexts.
- A genuine "people person" who is warm, approachable, and known for getting out from behind the desk to build relationships at school sites.
- Deeply empathetic, especially when delivering difficult news about employment changes or disciplinary matters, while still being clear, direct, and prepared.
- A nurturer within the HR division, recognizing and investing in the talent of their own team as a prerequisite for serving the district effectively.
- A communicator who believes in radical transparency, principals should always know where their hires are in the process and why.
- Collaborative in decision-making; a true thought partner who listens before responding and is willing to adjust course when presented with new perspectives.
- Skilled at explaining the "why" behind difficult decisions, not just delivering outcomes, but bringing stakeholders along through the reasoning.
- Comfortable wearing many hats and managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment where crises can arise outside of regular business hours.
- Accountable to high standards of confidentiality and discretion, an absolute must in an HR role of this visibility.
- A calm, steady presence who does not become reactive under pressure and models the professionalism expected of the entire HR division.
- Seeks a long-term commitment to the Las Cruces community, demonstrating a genuine curiosity and desire to build roots and contribute meaningfully.
- Takes time to truly listen and learn before seeking to impose change; understands that context matters and that the southern New Mexico community has a distinct culture and identity.
JobID: 14807
Position Type:
Administration
Administration
Date Posted:
3/2/2026
3/2/2026
Location:
Human Resources
Human Resources
Closing Date:
03/27/2026
03/27/2026
LAS CRUCES PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Chief of Human Resources
Ideal Candidate Profile
Las Cruces, New Mexico
About Las Cruces Public Schools
Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) is one of the largest school districts in New Mexico, serving a richly diverse community in southern New Mexico. LCPS is deeply rooted in the region's culture and traditions, with strong community partnerships with New Mexico State University, Doña Ana Community College, and local legislative and civic organizations. The district serves students from diverse backgrounds and is committed to equity, bilingual education, and ensuring that every student has access to high-quality learning experiences.
LCPS is navigating a critical period of organizational transformation, including right-sizing efforts in response to declining enrollment and a renewed commitment to fiscal sustainability. The district values collaboration, transparency, and relationships both internally among staff and externally with the broader Las Cruces community.
The Opportunity
Las Cruces Public Schools is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Chief of Human Resources to serve as a strategic partner to the Superintendent and Cabinet. This is a high-impact leadership role at a pivotal moment for the district. The Chief of Human Resources will oversee all aspects of human resources, from staffing and recruitment to labor relations, employee development, and organizational right-sizing, and will lead a team of approximately 1020 HR professionals.
The ideal candidate will bring both the technical expertise to manage complex HR systems and the human qualities needed to lead with empathy, build trust across stakeholder groups, and champion the district's commitment to equity. This person will be as comfortable navigating contract negotiations with union leadership as they are building relationships with classroom teachers and school principals.
Key Priorities for the First Year
The Chief of Human Resources will be expected to hit the ground running on the following priorities:
Essential Qualifications & Experience
The following qualifications are considered non-negotiable for this role:
HR Leadership in Education
Labor Relations & Legal Expertise
Financial & Organizational Acumen
Equity & Community Orientation
Desired Personal Qualities & Leadership Characteristics
Beyond technical expertise, the Las Cruces community has been clear about the kind of leader they are seeking. The next Chief of Human Resources should embody:
Relational & People-First Leadership
Communication & Collaboration
Nimble, Accountable & Resilient
Community-Invested
About the Search
This search is being conducted by School Systems Alliance, a national executive search firm specializing in cabinet-level placements for public school districts with a focus on building diverse candidate pools. The search process includes structured stakeholder input, rigorous candidate screening, and performance-based interview tasks designed to reduce bias and ensure the most qualified candidates are considered.
LCPS is committed to an inclusive search process that actively recruits candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and from a range of professional pathways, including those with non-traditional HR backgrounds who bring demonstrated results in comparable contexts.
Internal candidates are encouraged to apply. The search team will work to ensure that institutional knowledge and existing talent within the HR division are fully considered and valued throughout the process.
To express interest or learn more, please contact School Systems Alliance at the information provided in the job posting.
Minimum Qualifications
1. Master's Degree required.
2. Five (5) years of experience in school administration or public school district office administration.
3. Valid New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) PK-12 Administrative License.
4. Excellent management and organizational skills.
5. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
6. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Driver's License, reliable transportation and current auto insurance with minimum liability requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Doctorate Degree.
2. Knowledge and experience in federal and state employment law and regulatory compliance.
3. Experience in benefits administration and/or labor negotiations
4. Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification.
Las Cruces Public Schools
505 South Main, Suite 249
Las Cruces, NM 88001
(575) 527-5800
An FBI fingerprint background check will be conducted on all new hires of the Las Cruces Public Schools District. Continued employment will be contingent upon the results of the background check.
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