Founded in 1881, North Bennet Street School (NBSS) is one of the nation's oldest schools for hands-on training in traditional trades and fine craftsmanship. Located in Boston's historic North End, NBSS offers full-time career training programs in Bookbinding, Carpentry, Cabinet & Furniture Making, Jewelry Making & Repair, Locksmithing & Security Technology, Piano Technology, Preservation Carpentry, and Violin Making & Repair, along with more than 100 Community Education workshops each year.…
Guided by the founding philosophy of "sloyd" - the belief that mastering hand skills builds character and capacity - NBSS helps students from around the world achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods.
Job Summary
NBSS is looking for an experienced HR Senior Specialist to own the day-to-day human resources function for the School. Reporting to the President and working closely with the Controller, this individual-contributor role is a great fit for an HR professional who enjoys leading the full employee lifecycle - recruitment, onboarding, benefits, employee relations, and compliance - in a small, mission-driven community. You'll be the go-to HR resource for staff and faculty, helping to sustain a workplace culture rooted in craftsmanship, respect, and care.
Join a mission-driven institution with a 140+ year legacy of craftsmanship and education. You'll work in a collegial, tight-knit environment inside a beautifully restored North End facility, alongside master craftspeople, dedicated staff, and passionate students - with a competitive salary and benefits package.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the School's primary HR point of contact, keeping the President and Controller informed on HR matters and workforce needs
- Manage full-cycle recruitment for staff and faculty positions, from job descriptions through offer letters
- Design and lead new hire onboarding, including orientation and benefits enrollment
- Administer employee benefits programs with the Controller, and serve as liaison with brokers and carriers
- Support compensation benchmarking, job classification, and salary administration
- Serve as the point of contact for employee relations matters, and coordinate workplace investigations
- Advise managers on performance management, coaching, and disciplinary actions
- Help ensure HR practices comply with federal, Massachusetts, and local employment law
- Maintain the employee handbook, HR policy library, and confidential personnel records
- Lead annual performance review cycles, employee engagement initiatives, and HR special projects
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR experience, with demonstrated ownership of recruitment, benefits, employee relations, and compliance
- Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field preferred, or equivalent experience
- PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar certification preferred
- Experience operating as a primary or senior HR contact in a small organization, nonprofit, higher education, or trade/vocational school setting preferred
- Strong working knowledge of Massachusetts and federal employment law
- Comfort managing day-to-day HR programs with general oversight from leadership
- Excellent communication skills and sound judgment handling confidential information
- A collaborative spirit and enthusiasm for working in a small, close-knit team
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@nbss.edu. no later than September 30, 2026.
North Bennet Street School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), military or veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.