COO Jobs in Chicago, IL

Note: Interviews are expected to begin Monday, November 23.

About Noble

Noble is Chicago’s highest-performing and largest network of public charter schools. Our 17 campuses and ~1,600 employees currently serve ~12,000 students, 99% of whom identify as persons of color, 90% of whom are from under-resourced communities, and 81% of whom are first-generation college attendees. Noble’s mission is to ensure that all students have equitable and positive school experiences that equip them to complete college and lead choice-filled lives.

We are proud to be recognized nationally for college access and persistence. Noble supports more than 31,000 alumni, with 99% of Noble students accepted into college and historically almost 90% choosing to enroll.

Clear, Consistent and Connected

All staff at Noble are bound by three key principles that shape a strong and positive campus culture at Noble.

• Clear, Setting Clear Expectations: Students, like everyone, flourish when they clearly understand boundaries and expectations. All Noble Schools staff should prepare and explain academic and behavioral expectations using easy-to-understand procedures, routines, and "what to do" directions in all spaces.
• Consistent, Maintaining Consistency in Responses: Students experience a spectrum of emotions. While all emotions are valid, not all behaviors are productive. Consistent, Maintaining Consistency in Responses: Consistent responses help ensure fairness and give students the security of knowing our campuses operate with justice and equity.
• Connected, Building Positive Relationships: Students, like all individuals, thrive when they feel a communal connection to their school and can rely on meaningful relationships with the adults at the school. All Noble staff prioritize positive interactions and relationships rooted in the humanity and belonging of each student.

Assistant Director of HR Operations

The ideal candidate combines strong data and technical skills with people management experience, sound judgment, and a commitment to the detailed work of HR operations. They build reliable systems, develop others, and translate data into improvements that strengthen staff experience.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications and Qualities

• Advanced Google Sheets and/or Excel skills, including complex formulas, large datasets, and clear reporting.
• Experience with Google Apps Script, automation, and responsible use of AI tools.
• Three or more years of HR, onboarding, payroll, or related operations experience strongly preferred.
• One to two years of people management experience strongly preferred.
• HRIS/HCM administration and K–12 or nonprofit experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Genuine interest in HR operations, with strong attention to detail, prioritization, and follow-through.
• Analytical thinking, resourcefulness, and initiative to solve problems and improve processes.
• Clear communication, collaborative relationships, and sound judgment with confidential information.
• Self-awareness, openness to feedback, and alignment with Noble’s values: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Follow-Through; Humility and Self-Awareness; Respect; and Results.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze data and tell the story: Build trackers, dashboards, charts, and concise summaries that help leaders understand trends, weigh options, and act. Translate workforce, engagement, retention, and compensation data into practical recommendations.
• Own and improve systems: Manage HRIS data and functionality, troubleshoot issues, and use Google Apps Script and other tools to automate workflows, strengthen accuracy, and reduce manual work.
• Support compensation strategy: Prepare market comparisons, internal equity analyses, and cost scenarios. Help translate approved decisions into clear resources and accurate implementation.
• Lead people and deliver reliable operations: Coach and manage HR Associates, set clear expectations, and ensure timely follow-through. Oversee assigned onboarding, offboarding, and compliance processes; support payroll, benefits, and major HR projects.

Key Outcomes

The Assistant Director supports the Director of HR Operations and CPO in achieving these outcomes:

• Actionable data: Accurate HR systems and clear reporting support timely, informed decisions.
• Strong team performance: HR Associates meet work and service expectations, build skills, and demonstrate consistent ownership and follow-through.
• Staff engagement: Support in the staff engagement strategy through building our survey, educating our staff, and summarizing key data to inform targeted actions that contribute to Noble’s staff engagement and NPS goals.
• Staff retention: Timely analysis identifies turnover trends and informs actions that support Noble’s staff retention goals.
• Compensation support: Reliable analyses inform compensation decisions, and approved changes are implemented accurately and consistently.
• Efficient service: Projects meet deadlines, processes reduce manual work, and staff receive clear, responsive support.

Annual targets will be established with the Director and aligned to CPO goals.

Position Details

This is a permanent exempt position. This role is hybrid; however, it does require weekly on-site work at various locations, including our campuses and home office.

Travel

Local travel to various campuses is required.

We strive to be the best place to work, and our employee benefits are thoughtfully designed to support us in this ambition. Compensation for this role typically starts between $90,000 and $106,250 annually, with final salary commensurate with experience and expertise. The comprehensive compensation plan includes a competitive benefits package.

Application Timeline & Process

The Assistant Director of HR Operations is expected to start on January 4th, 2027, with resume collection ending on or around December 4th, 2026.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Noble is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic or classification protected by law.