Help Wanted – Human Resources Manager

DLA Architects, Ltd.; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development support

Job summary

DLA Architects, a Midwest architectural design firm, seeks an experienced Human Resources Manager to lead our HR function in a hybrid Itasca, IL setting. You will manage talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, compliance, benefits, and reporting while partnering with leadership to drive workforce development.

This hands-on role reports to the CFO and emphasizes consistent, high-quality HR support in a collaborative, growth-focused culture.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience.
• Experience leading an HR function independently and reliably.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience administering recruiting, benefits, compliance, and employee relations.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• A track record of consistent, dependable execution.

Responsibilities

• Talent Acquisition & Onboarding: align workforce planning with growth and goals, fill roles efficiently, run onboarding programs.
• Employee Relations & Engagement: handle relations matters, administer engagement programs, reinforce culture.
• Compliance & Risk: maintain compliance with employment laws, develop HR policies, conduct investigations.
• Benefits & Compensation Administration: manage benefits, leave, 401(k), and compensation changes.
• Manager Support & People Operations: support performance management and organizational planning.
• HR Reporting & Records: maintain records, prepare HR reports, keep systems reliable.

Skills

HR leadership

Employment law knowledge

Recruiting & onboarding

Benefits administration

Employee relations

HR policies & compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Position: Human Resources Manager - Permanent, full-time

DLA Architects is seeking a Human Resources Manager to join our team. As one of the Midwest's top-ranked architectural design firms, we are nationally recognized for our innovative approach to educational architecture and our commitment to a workplace culture that inspires growth, creativity, and fun.

This is a hands-on, execution-focused role for an HR professional who excels at managing the day-to-day operations of our people function. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you will implement priorities set by firm leadership and ensure every team member at DLA receives consistent, high-quality HR support. In our project-based environment, you will be the dependable backbone of how we care for our professionals.

We're looking for an operational HR leader who will help us continue to build on this special culture by keeping our people practices steady, consistent, and aligned with our values. This person will be responsible for leading all Human Resources functions for the firm.

We believe in working hard and enjoying the journey, which is why we offer a hybrid workplace, a collaborative office environment, and quarterly social outings like Top Golf and go-kart racing.

Key Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Partner with leadership to align workforce planning with the firm's growth and long-term goals
• Coordinate with managers to fill design, technical, and administrative roles efficiently, while attracting candidates who reflect our collaborative, future-thinking values
• Run onboarding programs that help new hires feel supported and welcomed from day one
• Ensure hiring practices consistently reflect DLA's values and standards

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Handle employee relations matters with professionalism, discretion, and heart
• Administer engagement programs and gather feedback to share with leadership
• Reinforce DLA's collaborative, people-first culture through everyday HR practices
• Support a workplace where people feel respected, heard, and engaged

Compliance & Risk

• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Develop and maintain HR policies and procedures and apply them consistently
• Conduct and document employee relations investigations as needed
• Partner with legal counsel on employment matters when directed

Benefits & Compensation Administration

• Administer benefits, leave, and 401(k) programs with clarity and care
• Implement compensation changes and reward programs as directed by leadership
• Provide market data and benchmarking to support leadership decisions
• Manage relationships with brokers, vendors, and benefit providers

Manager Support & People Operations

• Support performance management and employee development programs
• Advise leadership on organizational planning and workforce development
• Manage offboarding with care and consistency

HR Reporting & Records

• Maintain accurate personnel records and HR documentation
• Prepare HR reports and metrics that inform leadership decisions
• Keep HR systems organized, current, and reliable
• Ensure follow-through and accountability across all HR functions

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive Human Resources experience
• Proven success running an HR function independently and reliably
• Strong, current knowledge of employment law and HR best practices
• Experience administering recruiting, benefits, compliance, and employee relations
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• A track record of consistent, dependable execution

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional services experience (Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, Accounting, or Legal)
• Experience supporting credentialed professionals in a project-based environment
• Familiarity with benefits administration, compliance, and HR systems management
• HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP)

Skills & Competencies

• A proactive leader who takes ownership
• Operationally strong, with a sharp eye for detail and follow-through
• Steady and dependable under competing priorities
• Skilled at turning leadership direction into smooth, consistent practice
• Someone who knows how to get the details right and has fun doing it
• A trusted partner to leadership and staff

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary: $120,000 - $155,000+ based on experience
• Bonus opportunity
• Health, dental, disability, and vision benefits
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development support

Location & Schedule

This role is based in our Itasca, IL office. We offer a hybrid schedule with an expectation of at least three days per week in the office, because the best collaboration and connection happen when we're together.

Equal Opportunity

DLA Architects is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and value candidates of all backgrounds, and we're committed to building a team where every good human belongs.