Human Resources Business Partner

McHenry County College; Crystal Lake (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, IL seeks a Human Resources Business Partner to align HR initiatives with departmental goals and provide strategic advisory support.

Responsibilities include coaching managers, leading performance reviews, handling employee relations, investigations, and separations, and ensuring legal compliance and documentation.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or comparable work experience.
• Minimum of five years as an HR professional, with experience in more than one HR discipline.
• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• 10+ years of HR experience across multiple areas is desired.
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague is preferred.
• SHRM, HRCI, or similar certifications are a plus.
• HR experience in higher education is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Administrators to provide guidance on performance concerns and people strategies.
• Coach managers on leadership effectiveness, communication, accountability, and employee engagement.
• Lead the performance management process including annual reviews and 30-60-90 check-ins for new staff.
• Assist with performance documentation including PIPs, corrective actions, and warnings, with proper documentation.
• Guide Administrators and staff separations, ensuring legal compliance and documentation.
• Collaborate with the Associate VP of HR as liaison to Staff Council and participate in contract negotiations.
• Conduct workplace investigations and resolve employee concerns in a confidential manner.
• Conduct exit interviews with departing staff.
• Confirm workers' compensation eligibility and coordinate with the college's insurer.
• Administer unemployment claims and coordinate appeals with state agencies.
• Partner on workforce and succession planning and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Administer employee stipends, tracking eligibility and maintaining records.
• Maintain HR SharePoint pages and ensure policies are up-to-date.
• Lead employee engagement events and recognition programs.
• Promote Kudos and communicate new hires via ENews.
• Track tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
• Enroll new employees in compliance training and track progress.
• Develop and provide HR policy training as needed.
• Support HR operations and cover the AskHR inbox.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and internal policies.
• Analyze workforce trends and propose retention improvements.
• Take on additional duties as assigned.

Skills

MS Office

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Time management

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Associate's degree or comparable work experience

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Ellucian Colleague

ATS

Job description

Workweek

40 hours | Flexible schedule to meet department needs, which may include evenings and weekends

Position Summary

The Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) is a key member of the McHenry County College (MCC) Human Resources team, serving as a strategic advisor to Administrators, and aligning HR initiatives with departmental and institutional goals. This role combines strategic partnership with hands‑on support across a range of HR functions.

The HRBP provides expertise in employee relations, performance management, and employee engagement, while overseeing programs and processes such as workers comp and unemployment benefits administration, employee stipends, and employee belonging initiatives. Through collaboration, guidance, and program leadership, the HRBP fosters a positive, inclusive workplace culture and supports the success of both employees and the institutions.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Partner with Administrators to provide guidance on performance concerns, workplace issues, and people strategies
• Coach managers on leadership effectiveness, communication, accountability, and employee engagement
• Lead the performance management process, including annual performance reviews and 30-60-90 check-ins for all new employees
• Assist Administrators with performance documentation, including Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), corrective actions, warning notices, and related employee communications, and facilitate conversations regarding these concerns
• Provide guidance and support in Administrator and Staff separations, including voluntary and involuntary terminations, ensuring legal compliance and proper documentation
• Working with the Associate VP of HR, serve as liaison to the College's Staff Council, addressing current questions/concerns, and participating in contract negotiations
• Conduct workplace investigations and resolve employee concerns in a fair, timely, and confidential manner
• Conduct exit interviews with staff/administrators who are leaving MCC's employ.
• Confirm eligibility for workers compensation, submit claim to the College's insurance carrier, and, if required, report to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission
• Administer unemployment claims by responding to state agency inquiries, gathering employment records, coordinating claim appeals, and ensuring timely and accurate completion of all required documentation
• Partner with leadership on workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness initiatives
• Administer employee stipends, determining eligibility, communicating with Administrators and Staff, drafting stipend letters, tracking active stipends and ending them when appropriate
• Update the HR landing page within SharePoint, coordinating with team members as necessary to make sure specific HR specialty pages (e.g. Benefits, Talent Acquisition, etc.) are up-to-date and functioning well
• Lead employee engagement events, chiefly the new employee luncheons (2 per year), Bagel Wednesdays, and the annual Employee Awards and Recognition event held in the spring
• Drive engagement with Kudos, the College's employee recognition platform
• Announce all new hires (internal and external) in the ENews
• Track tuition waivers for employees and their dependents, contributing to any potential improvements to the process
• Enroll new employees in compliance training and track progress towards completion
• Develop and provide training on HR policies and practices as needed
• Support the HR team with coverage and communication as required, stepping in to help visitors when they enter the HR suite, monitoring the AskHR inbox, and representing the HR team at external/internal meetings and events
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, internal policies, and HR best practices
• Analyze workforce trends and recommend proactive solutions to improve employee retention and engagement
• Assume additional duties as assigned by immediate supervisor

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree or comparable work experience
• Minimum of five years as an HR professional, with experience in more than one HR discipline

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 10+ years of experience as an HR profession, with expertise in multiple HR areas
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague
• SHRM, HRCI, or other comparable relevant certifications
• Human Resources experience in higher education

Skills and Specifications

• Facility with Microsoft Office
• Ability to learn new technology, such as the College's enterprise system and ATS
• Advanced knowledge of employment law and HR compliance requirements
• Strong interpersonal skills, including written and oral communication, group facilitation, and the ability to influence and negotiate outcomes
• High degree of emotional intelligence, with the ability to be sensitive and responsive to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, demonstrate discretion, integrity and good judgment
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances
• Ability to produce accurate, high-quality deliverables
• Effective project and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, goal-oriented team environment
• Willingness to be a supportive team member, building and sustaining relationships with HR colleagues, and making a commitment to team success
• Ability to interact with and build rapport with all levels of employees
• Commitment to and respect for diversity, equity, belonging and inclusion
• Understanding of and commitment to the College's mission, vision, values, and goals

Equal Employment Opportunity

McHenry County College declares and reaffirms a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination.

The College will make all decisions regarding admission, employment, participation in educational programs, or activities, without discrimination on grounds of race, color, creed or religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, military status, sexual orientation, gender-related identity, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge from military service, or other factors prohibited by law.

Decisions regarding employment include hiring, promotion, termination, wages or salaries, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.

MCC is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible college community.

To request reasonable accommodation to participate in any aspect of the hiring process, contact Human Resources at [e-mail].