EMPLOYEE SERVICES MANAGER

Socket.dev; Springfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension program

Paid time off

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) seeks a strategic Employee Services Manager (PSA Option 1) to lead Benefits, Timekeeping, Payroll, and Personnel Transactions. You will develop dashboards and data tools to drive HR decisions in a public-sector setting.

Ideal candidate has HR operations expertise, strong data analytics, and supervisory experience, with a focus on compliance with state rules and collective bargaining agreements.

Qualifications

• Requires four years of college with courses in business/public administration/human resources/related fields.
• Requires three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in HR operations (payroll, benefits, timekeeping, or labor/employee relations).

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, and directs Benefits, Timekeeping, Payroll, and Personnel Transactions.
• Develops reports, dashboards, and data visualization tools for HR operations.
• Provides interpretation of union contracts, supplemental agreements, and labor policies.
• Serves as a full-line supervisor.
• Performs other duties within the scope of the role.

Skills

Payroll

Benefits

Timekeeping

Labor relations

Data dashboards

Power BI

Excel

Supervisory experience

Contract interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration/HR

Tools

Access

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 58929 Opening Date: 09/18/2026 Closing Date: 10/02/2026 Agency: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015 Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel Bilingual Option: None Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary is $8,625 - $10,178 monthly Job Type: Salaried Category: Full Time Number of Vacancies: 1 Bargaining Unit Code: None Merit Comp Code: Confidential Exclusion from RC063 Collective Bargaining Coverage Work Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:30a - 5:00p Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 2 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs Headquarter Location: 1011 S 2nd St, Springfield, Illinois, 62704 Work County: Sangamon

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) seeks a strategic, detail-oriented professional to serve as Employee Services Manager (PSA Option 1) within the Human Resources Division. This role oversees payroll, timekeeping, benefits, and personnel transactions while ensuring compliance with the Illinois Personnel Code, CMS Personnel Rules, and collective bargaining agreements. This position also leads the development of data dashboards and reporting tools to support informed decision-making and improve operational efficiency. This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate who combines strong HR expertise with data-driven insight to enhance workforce operations in a dynamic public sector environment.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the Employee Services Manager for Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in planning, organizing, and directing the operations of Benefits, Timekeeping, Payroll, and Personnel Transactions.
• Develops, implements, and maintains reports, dashboards, and data visualization tools to support Human Resources operations and ensure strategic alignment of the Unit’s efforts with the Agency’s mission.
• Serves as a member of the DCEO Labor Relations Advisory Team by making recommendations to DCEO’s Labor Relations Administrator and providing interpretation of union contracts, supplemental agreements and past practices, CMS Personnel Rules, Code, Pay Plan and DCEO rules and policies.
• Serves as a full-line supervisor.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with courses in business, public administration, human resources, personnel administration, organizational management, or related fields of study.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience working with human resources operational functions, specifically with payroll, benefits, timekeeping, and/or labor/employee relations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers five (5) years of professional work experience in a public or private organization supervising and managing multiple human resources operational units (e.g., benefits, payroll, transactions, and/or timekeeping), including ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations [e.g., Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Affordable Care Act (ACA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and/or Workers’ Compensation].
• Prefers three (3) years of professional work experience in statewide personnel processes, policies and procedures, including a Personnel Code, Personnel Rules, Pay Plan, collective bargaining agreements, Family Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and/or other relevant laws and regulations.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience designing, developing, and utilizing interactive dashboards using tools such as Microsoft Power BI to integrate data from multiple sources.
• Prefers advanced proficiency in Excel, Power BI, Access, or other related data analysis software.
• Prefers three (3) years of professional experience managing an automated timekeeping program or payroll program.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional supervisory experience overseeing staff in a professional workplace setting.
• Prefers three (3) years of professional experience interpreting and applying collective bargaining unit contract language to determine discipline.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime includingscheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A etseq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statement of Economic Interest with the Office of Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.

As a State of Illinois employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental LeaveDeferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)
• Benefit time modified for part-time, 12-hour, & non-standard work schedules (as applicable)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html

Statement of Economic Interest:

This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your "junk mail", "spam", or "other" folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• [e-mail]
• [e-mail]