Director, Human Resources

Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Deferred compensation

Paid time off

Job summary

Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts seeks a Director of Human Resources to lead all HR functions, including policy administration, recruitment, compensation, and employee relations. The role requires strategic guidance to judges and court administrators, ensuring lawful and equitable personnel practices across the organization.

The position offers executive leadership responsibilities, a comprehensive benefits package, and the possibility of limited hybrid work.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field with at least 10 years of HR experience.
• Minimum 7 years in a leadership role within a large, complex organization.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; knowledge of HR systems.
• Knowledge of prevailing employment law and dispute resolution.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR strategy and operations for the Illinois Courts.
• Oversee classification and compensation, recruitment, hiring, and performance management.
• Advise judges and managers on employee relations and compliance.
• Develop HR metrics and workforce analytics to support planning and retention.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

HR systems

Employee relations

Workforce analytics

Investigations

Education

Master's degree in related field

Juris doctor degree (preferred)

Tools

HRIS

Job description

DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE ILLINOIS COURTS Applicants may be asked to submit additional materials. Position: Director, Human Resources Division: Human Resources Division

Salary

Minimum salary $149,443; salary at hire to be commensurate with experience

Benefits

An attractive judicial branch benefits package is offered, including pension, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, deferred compensation options, as well as vacation, sick and personal leave. Please refer to the following Benefits Information Sheet for additional details.

Reporting Relationship: Chief of Finance and Operations Location: Chicago or Springfield, Illinois

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Director of Human Resources will provide strategic leadership and direction for all facets of human resources management and will serve as a member of the Administrative Director's Executive Leadership Team, participating in institutional planning and leadership development initiatives. The position is responsible for identifying operational gaps and prioritizing opportunities to streamline, integrate, and improve HR systems, processes, and workflows to support organizational effectiveness and operational excellence. The Director of Human Resources oversees the administration of Illinois Supreme Court human resources policies, rules, systems, and programs, including classification and compensation, recruitment, hiring, selection, promotion, Equal Employment Opportunity reporting, performance management, personnel records and transactions, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, timekeeping and leave benefits administration, employee conduct standards, and professional development. The position also advises judges and managers on complex employee relations and personnel matters and applies existing and emerging labor and employment laws to ensure compliance and minimize organizational risk. Additional responsibilities include conducting workplace investigations involving allegations of misconduct, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, ensuring appropriate documentation and resolution; serving as the branch's Ethics Officer; reviewing employee accommodation requests and directing the interactive process; overseeing compensation and classification reviews and making recommendations; developing and monitoring HR metrics, workforce analytics, and operational reports to support strategic planning; and leading professional and leadership development, and employee engagement initiatives designed to strengthen workforce retention and organizational performance. The Director will also perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Candidates must hold a master's degree in a field related to the position and have a minimum of 10 years of dedicated professional HR experience, with at least 7 years at a leadership level of responsibility within a large, complex organization; strong interpersonal and communication skills; knowledge of HR computerized information systems, and proven skill and ability encompassing all aspects of human resources management, including but not limited to conflict resolution, performance coaching and management, diversity and inclusion recruitment strategies, employee relations, wellness programs, regular compensation reviews and management, and effective complaint investigations, shaped by best practice and experience. Knowledge of prevailing and trending employment law and related issues and the ability to quickly acclimate to the needs and goals of the judicial system is also required. The successful candidate will be an ethical and skilled problem-solver with the ability to perform and manage all human resources functions while productively managing staff performance and competing priorities, with the proven ability to effectively support, guide, and address management prerogatives and obligations, including advice to supervisory judges and court administrators, while also being appropriately responsive to concerns from employees, within a framework that honors both empathy and accountability. Candidates' prior experience should demonstrate evidence of the ability to interact effectively and productively with individuals at all levels of the organization, through a combination of exceptional communication skills, diplomacy, dignity, and respect for the conventions of the courts. A juris doctor degree is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time. This is a professional office working environment, requiring telephone usage and the ability to process written documents. Applicants must have the ability to travel throughout the state including overnight stays as required. Limited and occasional hybrid work option possible.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER