Director of Human Resources

City of Alton; Alton (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Alton, Illinois is seeking an experienced, hands-on Director of Human Resources to lead the City's HR function and help shape its continued evolution. Reporting directly to the Mayor, the HR Director will advise city leadership while leading the full range of Human Resources across a complex, multi-department and unionized environment.

This is an ideal opportunity for an HR leader who is equally comfortable advising leaders, navigating employee and labor matters, developing a team,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, labor relations, or related field.
• 5–7+ years of progressive HR experience with growth in scope.
• Experience leading across multiple HR disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, regulatory compliance, and HR best practices.
• Significant employee relations experience navigating complex matters.
• Proven ability to improve HR processes, policies, systems, or operating practices.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing others.
• Strong judgment balancing priorities, compliance, and operational realities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building to advise leaders at multiple levels.
• Ability to move between leadership priorities and hands-on execution.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted HR advisor to the Mayor and City leadership on employee matters, workforce needs, and HR practices.
• Lead the City's HR function and provide direction across employee relations, labor relations, compliance, benefits, leave administration, recruitment, HR operations, and workforce practices.
• Partner with City leadership and legal counsel on labor relations matters, including the administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Provide guidance on complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, performance concerns, corrective action, and other sensitive employment issues.
• Ensure HR practices remain aligned with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory requirements.
• Strengthen and standardize HR policies, processes, documentation, controls, and operating practices.
• Partner with the Deputy HR Director and department leaders to develop and execute recruitment and talent strategies that attract and retain strong talent.
• Provide oversight for benefits administration, leave programs, workers' compensation, unemployment, and other employee programs.
• Lead, coach, and develop the HR team while building clear accountability and internal capability.
• Evaluate HR technology, workflows, and data to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness.
• Support compensation, classification, and other HR initiatives.
• Identify and implement practical improvements to HR processes and service delivery.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Strategic planning

Change management

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Director of Human Resources

City of Alton, Illinois
Full-Time | On-Site
Salary Range: $95,000–$110,000 (annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications)
Residency Requirement: The successful candidate must establish residency within 25 miles of Alton, Illinois, in accordance with City requirements.

The City of Alton is seeking an experienced, hands-on Director of Human Resources to lead the City's HR function and help shape its continued evolution.

Reporting directly to the Mayor, the HR Director will serve as a trusted advisor to City leadership while leading the full range of Human Resources. This role offers the opportunity to build on work already underway by strengthening HR operations, developing internal capability, improving processes, reducing organizational risk, and establishing sustainable practices that support employees and leaders across a complex, multi-department and unionized environment.

This is an ideal opportunity for an HR leader who is equally comfortable advising leaders, navigating complex employee and labor matters, developing a team, and rolling up their sleeves to get the work done.

What You'll Do

As HR Director, you will:

• Serve as a trusted HR advisor to the Mayor and City leadership on employee matters, workforce needs, and HR practices.
• Lead the City's Human Resources function and provide direction across employee relations, labor relations, compliance, benefits, leave administration, recruitment, HR operations, and workforce practices.
• Partner with City leadership and legal counsel on labor relations matters, including the administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Provide guidance on complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, performance concerns, corrective action, and other sensitive employment issues.
• Ensure HR practices remain aligned with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory requirements.
• Strengthen and standardize HR policies, processes, documentation, controls, and operating practices.
• Partner with the Deputy HR Director and department leaders to develop and execute recruitment and talent strategies that attract and retain strong talent.
• Provide oversight for benefits administration, leave programs, workers' compensation, unemployment, and other employee programs.
• Lead, coach, and develop the HR team while building clear accountability and internal capability.
• Evaluate HR technology, workflows, and data to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, consistency, and effectiveness.
• Support compensation, classification, and other HR initiatives.
• Identify and implement practical improvements to HR processes and service delivery.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5–7+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, with demonstrated growth in scope and responsibility.
• Experience leading or providing significant oversight across multiple HR disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, regulatory compliance, and HR best practices.
• Significant employee relations experience and demonstrated ability to navigate complex and sensitive workplace matters.
• Demonstrated success improving HR processes, policies, systems, or operating practices.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing others.
• Strong judgment with the ability to balance organizational priorities, employee needs, compliance requirements, and operational realities.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to advise and influence leaders at multiple levels.
• Ability to move comfortably between leadership priorities and hands‑on execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Labor relations and union experience, including experience working with or administering collective bargaining agreements.
• Professional HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP.
• Municipal, public‑sector, or other relevant experience within a complex, regulated, multi‑department, or operational environment.