Open Date 10/29/2026
Description JOB SUMMARY The Human Resources Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the human resources and organizational culture function at the Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI). Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director is responsible for developing, leading, and continuously strengthening human resources strategies, systems, policies, programs, and practices that support IPHI's mission, organizational priorities, workforce needs, and culture.
The Human Resources Director serves as IPHI's senior human resources leader and a trusted advisor to the CEO, Executive and Leadership Team, supervisors, and employees on workforce strategy, employee relations, performance management, talent acquisition and retention, compensation, benefits, employee development, organizational culture, HR compliance, and workforce risk.
The Human Resources Director leads the implementation and continuous improvement of HR systems across the employee lifecycle and ensures HR practices are consistent, equitable, legally compliant, operationally effective, and aligned with organizational values. The Director independently manages complex and sensitive employee matters, identifies organizational and workforce risks, develops recommendations, and partners with the CEO and legal counsel when appropriate.
As a people leader and organizational thought partner, the Director builds the capacity of supervisors and leaders to effectively manage teams, strengthens accountability and employee experience, uses workforce data to inform organizational decisions, and leads HR initiatives that support IPHI's continued growth and organizational effectiveness.
The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional judgment, discretion, strategic thinking, leadership, communication, relationship management, and problem-solving skills and will have the ability to translate organizational priorities into effective people strategies and HR practices.
This position is full-time, exempt, and reports to the Chief Executive Officer. IPHI's standard work week is 37.5 hours.
To apply: Complete applications must include a resume, cover letter, and completion of an online questionnaire. Only complete applications will be reviewed. The cover letter should compare your qualifications, experiences, and interests to the duties, responsibilities, and qualifications listed below for the position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES HR Strategy, Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness - Lead the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of IPHI's human resources strategy, programs, policies, systems, and practices.
- Translate IPHI's organizational strategy, workforce needs, and operational priorities into actionable human resources strategies and initiatives.
- Serve as the organization's senior HR subject-matter expert and strategic advisor to the CEO, Executive and Leadership Team, supervisors, and employees.
- Assess organizational and workforce needs and recommend strategies related to organizational structure, staffing, talent development, retention, succession, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
- Lead multiple complex HR initiatives and projects simultaneously, establishing priorities, timelines, accountability, deliverables, and measures of success.
- Identify opportunities to improve HR systems, processes, employee experience, organizational effectiveness, and supervisor capability.
- Develop and maintain HR infrastructure, standards, procedures, tools, and resources that promote consistent and effective people management across IPHI.
- Use sound independent judgment to make HR decisions within established authority and elevate significant organizational, legal, financial, or reputational risks to the CEO as appropriate.
- Ensure that accurate and confidential employee records are maintained and ensure HR documentation is complete, accurate, timely and appropriate.
- Partner with the Senior HR Manager to develop, implement, and evaluate HR programs, policies, and procedures.
Employee Relations, Workplace Culture & HR Risk Management - Lead employee relations strategy and case management across the organization, including complex and sensitive workplace concerns, performance matters, conduct issues, complaints, corrective actions, investigations, accommodations, and separations.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to supervisors and organizational leaders regarding employee relations, performance management, workplace concerns, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and appropriate corrective action.
- Conduct and/or oversee fair, timely, thorough, and well-documented workplace investigations and recommend appropriate organizational responses.
- Identify and assess employee relations and workforce risks and advise the CEO regarding appropriate mitigation strategies.
- Partner with the CEO and employment counsel, when matters present significant legal, regulatory, financial, or organizational risk.
- Ensure consistent and equitable interpretation and application of organizational policies, procedures, and employment practices.
- Ensure proper coaching of supervisors on effective employee communication, conflict resolution, documentation, performance management, accountability, and other people-management responsibilities.
- Monitor employee relations trends and recommend proactive interventions, training, policy changes, or organizational improvements.
- Foster a workplace culture grounded in accountability, trust, inclusion, collaboration, ethical leadership, and IPHI's organizational values.
- Provide initial guidance to managers and employees on routine employee relations matters, workplace concerns, policies, and HR practices.
Talent Acquisition, Workforce Planning, & Onboarding - Lead IPHI's talent acquisition and workforce planning strategy in partnership with the CEO, Executive Team, and organizational leaders.
- Establish and oversee consistent, equitable, legally compliant, and effective recruitment and selection practices.
- Partner with hiring managers to assess staffing needs, position requirements, organizational readiness, recruitment strategies, and selection decisions.
- Provide strategic guidance regarding job descriptions, position classification, compensation ranges, candidate selection, offers, internal equity, and hiring decisions.
- Oversee recruitment operations, including job postings, candidate screening, interview processes, reference and background checks, candidate communications, offers, and hiring documentation.
- Monitor recruitment metrics and workforce trends, including time-to-fill, candidate pipelines, turnover, vacancies, and other indicators, and recommend improvements.
- Lead and continuously improve IPHI's onboarding and employee integration strategy to promote role clarity, organizational connection, compliance, and employee success.
- Support hiring managers throughout the recruitment process and provide guidance regarding established recruitment practices and procedures.
- Coordinate with the Office Manager, IT Manager, and HR Manager on onboarding activities and ensure new hires receive required information, resources, and documentation.
Performance Management & Talent Development - Lead IPHI's organization-wide performance management strategy and processes, including goal setting, annual performance reviews, 90-day assessments, performance improvement, and professional development for the organization.
- Advise and coach supervisors on establishing performance expectations, providing effective feedback, addressing performance concerns, and developing employees.
- Lead implementation and ongoing administration of IPHI's HR related frameworks, policies, and philosophies ensuring it is appropriately incorporated into performance, development, hiring, and promotion practices.
- Partner with the CEO, Executive Leadership, and Leadership Team to strengthen talent development, career pathways, succession planning, leadership development, and organizational capacity.
- Support consistent and equitable promotion and advancement decisions by assessing demonstrated readiness, organizational/program needs, role expectations, internal equity, and budget considerations.
- Identify organizational training and development needs and develop or coordinate learning opportunities to strengthen supervisor and employee capabilities.
- Analyze performance and talent trends and recommend interventions or organizational improvements.
HR Compliance, Systems, & Policies - Lead HR compliance efforts and monitor changes in applicable federal, Illinois, and Chicago employment laws, regulations, and requirements.
- Assess the impact of employment law and regulatory changes and recommend necessary updates to organizational policies, procedures, practices, and communications.
- Lead the development, review, implementation, and administration of HR policies and employee handbook provisions.
- Partner with the CEO and legal counsel on employment compliance matters, policy development, workplace investigations, organizational risk, and other complex HR matters as appropriate.
- Lead and coordinate HR-related audits, compliance reviews, recordkeeping requirements, and corrective actions.
- Oversee HRIS processes and identify opportunities to improve HR technology, workflows, automation, reporting, and data quality.
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate judgment when handling sensitive employee and organizational information.
Compensation, Benefits & Leave Administration - Lead and oversee the administration of IPHI's employee benefits and leave programs, ensuring effective administration, compliance, employee communication, and vendor performance.
- Serve as the organizational HR lead for benefits brokers, HR/payroll vendors, and other employee benefit service providers.
- Oversee leave administration and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements and organizational policies.
- Partner with the CEO and Executive Team to support compensation planning, salary administration, internal equity analysis, compensation studies, salary structures, and organizational compensation practices.
- Support the development and implementation of IPHI's compensation philosophy and ensure compensation decisions are consistent with established organizational practices and internal equity considerations.
- Lead annual benefit renewal and open enrollment activities in partnership with organizational leadership, brokers, and vendors.
- Partner with benefits vendors and internal stakeholders to resolve routine issues and ensure timely processing.
- Ensure that accurate records related to benefits, leave, and other employee programs are maintained.
Employee Engagement, Culture, & Communication - In partnership with the CEO, Executive Team and Director of Communications, develop and implement HR communication and employee engagement strategies that strengthen transparency, organizational connection, accountability, and employee experience.
- Develop clear and accessible communications regarding HR policies, benefits, compensation, performance management, organizational changes, employee programs, and other workforce matters.
- Partner with organizational leadership to assess employee engagement, workplace culture, and organizational needs and recommend appropriate interventions.
- Design, facilitate, or oversee HR trainings, supervisor development, orientations, employee meetings, and other workforce initiatives.
- Build trusted relationships across levels of the organization while maintaining appropriate confidentiality, professional boundaries, neutrality, and sound HR judgment.
- Model IPHI's mission, values, culture, ethical standards, and expectations in interactions with employees, supervisors, partners, and vendors.
- Build positive working relationships with employees, managers, and organizational partners.
- Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and equitable workplace culture through effective HR practices and employee support.
Cross-Functional Collaboration, Leadership, & Supervision - Supervise, coach, develop, and evaluate assigned HR staff, consultants, con
