HR Director - Greater Chicago - $120k-$150k base

Michael Page; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Michael Page seeks an HR Director to lead a growing transportation and logistics company’s people function. The role partners with executive leadership to drive employee engagement, compliance, and organizational effectiveness in a fast-paced environment.

Reporting to the President, the HR Director will manage a small team serving ~400 employees across union and non-union populations, guiding labor relations, talent acquisition, retention, and development while shaping the workforce during a

Qualifications

• Experience as HR leader or HR business partner in a mid-sized organization.
• Hands-on HR leadership balancing strategy with day-to-day execution.
• Supports a workforce that includes hourly, salaried, field-based and corporate employees.
• Strong track record through periods of change, transformation or rapid growth.
• Knowledge of union environments and labor relations considerations.
• Experience in operationally focused industries such as logistics or manufacturing.
• Solid understanding of multi-state employment law and HR compliance.
• Ability to bring stability, structure and consistency during change.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR strategy and execution across employee relations, labor relations, compliance, talent acquisition, retention, benefits and development.
• Manage a lean HR team and operate autonomously with impact on business outcomes.
• Rebuild employee engagement following organizational change and leadership transformation.
• Own workforce planning, onboarding programs and leadership coaching to strengthen the employee experience.
• Partner with executive leadership to shape the future of the business during a transformation.

Skills

HR leadership

Labor relations

Employee relations

Talent acquisition

Organizational development

Change management

Unionized environment

Multi-state employment law

Strategic partnership

Job description

Join a growing transportation and logistics company as its HR leader, partnering closely with executive leadership to drive employee engagement, compliance, and organizational effectiveness. This highly visible role is ideal for a hands‑on HR professional who thrives in fast‑paced environments and wants the opportunity to influence strategy, lead change, and build a strong people function.

Our client is a transportation and logistics technology company with a workforce that includes skilled trades, field personnel, technical professionals, and corporate employees. Currently undergoing an exciting transformation, the organization offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while partnering closely with leadership to help shape its future.

Reporting directly to executive leadership, the HR Director will serve as the lead HR partner and help the organization navigate continued growth, change, and business transformation. This is a highly visible, hands‑on leadership role that blends strategy with execution. The organization is seeking someone who can operate independently, build credibility at all levels, and act as a trusted advisor to both employees and management.

The role will manage a small team of HR professionals and requires former people management experience. Along with managing a team, the HR Director will provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, retention, compliance, benefits administration, talent acquisition, and organizational development while partnering closely with leaders across the business.

Successful candidates will have 10+ years of progressive HR experience including 5+ years in an HR leadership role as the HR leader or a direct advisor to executives. Experience in transportation, logistics, rail, ports, intermodal, or other operations‑heavy industries with 24/7 or shift‑based work is required, as well as experience working in a unionized environment.

This position is hybrid with three days a week in the office in the Western Chicago suburbs.

Description

• Join a company that is investing in its future and looking for an HR leader who can help drive the next phase of growth and stability.
• Serve as the top HR leader for about 400 employees across union and non‑union populations.
• Report directly to the President and act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, helping shape the future of the business during a transformational period.
• Work alongside a new leadership team focused on modernizing the business, improving processes, and positioning the organization for long‑term success.
• Lead HR strategy and execution across employee relations, labor relations, compliance, talent acquisition, retention, benefits, and organizational development.
• Lead a lean HR team and thrive in a highly autonomous environment where your ideas and decisions will directly influence business outcomes.
• Play a critical role in rebuilding employee engagement following significant organizational change and leadership transformation.
• Take ownership of workforce planning, retention initiatives, onboarding programs, and leadership coaching to strengthen employee experience across the organization.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

Profile

A successful HR Director should have:

• Has experience serving as HR leader or key HR business partner within a mid‑sized organization.
• Thrives in hands‑on HR leadership roles and enjoys balancing strategy with day‑to‑day execution.
• Experienced supporting a workforce that includes hourly, salaried, field‑based, and corporate employees.
• Demonstrated success leading HR through periods of change, transformation, restructuring, turnaround, acquisition, or rapid growth.
• Working knowledge of union environments, collective bargaining agreements, and labor relations considerations.
• Experience in industrial, transportation, logistics, manufacturing, construction, field services, or other operationally focused environments.
• Strong understanding of multi‑state employment law and HR compliance.
• Able to bring stability, structure, and consistency to an organization navigating significant change.

Job Offer

• Competitive salary ranging from $120,000 to $145,000 per year.
• High visibility and influence with executive leadership and key business stakeholders.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.