Director-Human Resources

City Colleges of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City Colleges of Chicago seeks a strategic Director of Human Resources to lead HR initiatives and oversee functions critical for enhancing employee engagement and organizational effectiveness. This role requires extensive HR experience, particularly in a unionized environment, and will focus on the development of HR capabilities aligned with institutional goals. Strong leadership and communication skills are essential for guiding diverse teams and fostering a collaborative workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Five years of HR experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in a highly unionized organization preferred.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Leads HR operations and strategy aligning with college goals.
• Supervises HR staff and manages talent acquisition strategies.
• Collaborates with District Office for cohesive HR service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-Solving

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Master’s degree

Tools

PeopleSoft

Taleo

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) , the largest community college system in Illinois, is made up of seven colleges and five satellite sites, providing more than 68,000 students each year access to a quality, affordable education.

Each college’s Office of Human Resources (HR), working in collaboration with District’s HR Department, is responsible for executing HR strategy and administering HR programs and operational HR functions, providing an innovative, efficient, and collaborative HR organization that recognizes the diversity of CCC’s college community, enhances organizational effectiveness, and ensures the hiring, retention and development of a highly qualified and diverse workforce.

Reporting to a college President, and serving as a senior leader in the President’s executive team, the Director-Human Resources leads and manages human resources (HR) functions for the college, overseeing the college’s daily HR operations while effectively integrating HR expertise into the college’s business process. The Director-Human Resources takes a mission-oriented approach with a focus on building organizational and HR capabilities; influencing organizational changes in alignment with the college’s strategic goals; and working collaboratively with district’s HR staff in administering human resources programs, policies, and procedures in support of the college’s mission and vision, as well as the district’s long-term strategic goals.

The Director-Human Resources is a highly visible position that serves as an advisor to college leadership and managers on matters of HR policy and practices; implements and interprets strategies into actions to deliver sustainable solutions to support a growing and changing environment; ensures the college’s HR operations and practices are in alignment with CCC’s HR policies and procedures and in compliance with CCC’s collective bargaining agreements and all applicable federal, state and local labor laws; supervises campus HR staff and is responsible for managing and providing HR services to employees and managers in coordination with District HR in all functional areas of HR. Performs related duties as required.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILTIES

• Develops, coordinates and delivers effective HR programs and services to campus employees in the areas of onboarding, learning and organizational development, workforce planning, performance management and professional development, policy and procedure implementation, and labor and employee relations.

• Collaborates with District Office leadership team (Compensation, Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, Labor Relations, Employee Services and HRIS) and oversees strategic initiatives connected to the college to ensure cohesive delivery of HR services.

• Contributes to the development of organizational goals regarding the creation, implementation, measures, and outcomes of college plans which may include Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM), Equity, and Strategic plans.

• Provides consultative services to college leadership and managers relating to workforce issues that impact campus operations, working with district HR staff to provide strategic guidance, technical expertise and deliver effective HR solutions.

• Develops and implements HR processes and procedures critical to efficient and effective operations. Executes and evaluates processes and procedures in compliance with institutional, organizational, and Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and other accreditation standards.

• Works collaboratively with college administrators and senior managers in planning and preparing the college’s annual operating budget.Participates in management meetings relating to workforce planning, department re-structuring, and resource allocation.Assists in packaging and submission of final operating budget to Chancellor’s office.

• Supervises HR Specialist and support staff engaged in implementing HR programs, delivering HR services and processing HR transactions.

• Executes recruitment and talent management strategies to attract, develop, engage, and retain a diverse, skilled, and effective workforce.

• Administers employee recognition and related initiatives to improve workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and engagement continually.

• Provides tactical and strategic guidance to managers and supervisors on best practices for addressing employee relations matters including handling disciplinary actions, terminations, union grievances, progressive discipline, and conflict resolution and various other issues pertaining to employee management, adherence to collective bargaining agreements and Board policies, federal and state employment laws and regulations.

• Creates action plans to foster an environment that leverages diversity and incorporates best practices for collaboration and inclusion. Proactively considers workforce trends, employee data, and institutional needs.

• Executes HR processes and procedures such as faculty lane advances, reclassifications, new positions, and other personnel changes.

• Facilitates and maintains performance management programs, providing coaching and guidance to managers, reviewing completed appraisals, and working with managers on creating and implementing performance improvement plans

• Responds to data requests from ICCB, HLC, college leadership, and external organizations.

• Leads and manages HR projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field

• Master’s degree strongly preferred

• Five years of work experience as an HR Generalist and/or HR Manager in a fast-paced high-volume work environment.

• Demonstrated progressively responsible leadership, supervisory, and management roles in human resources

• Experience working in a highly unionized environment is strongly preferred

• Experience in developing and implementing HR strategies as well as large-scale, complex HR initiatives

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and build strong partnerships with senior leaders

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and providing leadership in meeting the HR objectives of the organization

• Knowledge of federal and state employment and labor laws and practices

• Ability to prioritize workload, multi-task, and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to independently establish direction in one’s work without requiring close supervision

• Ability to work well in a culturally diverse environment and with all levels of the organization

• Ability to handle all situations with diplomacy, tact, and the highest level of confidentiality

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

• Excellent organizational skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Knowledge of PeopleSoft, Taleo, and other HRMS or ATS, a plus

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

SPECIAL REQUIRMENTS

• Ability and willingness to travel between Wilbur Wright College and Humboldt Park Vocational Education Center, as needed

• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends, as needed

SALARY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION

• Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within six (6) months of hire.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Thank you for your interest in City Colleges of Chicago!

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