Human Resources Director

ALA Brand; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement annuity

35-hour work week

PSLF consideration

Job summary

The American Library Association (ALA) in Chicago seeks an experienced Director of Human Resources to lead its HR team, shape policies, and support a constructive labor-relations framework. Reporting to the CFO, this role partners with employees, managers, and senior leadership to ensure compliant, equitable HR practices across the organization.

You will oversee HRIS, compensation and benefits strategy, recruitment aligned to bargaining provisions, and staff development, while maintaining a

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible HR experience.
• Minimum of five years as a senior HR executive in a union-based environment.
• Master’s degree in HR or equivalent; professional HR certifications.
• Strong knowledge of federal and Illinois employment and labor laws.
• Experience administering collective bargaining agreements and labor relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR policies and practices ensuring equitable application and legal compliance.
• Oversee labor relations, including contract interpretation and administration.
• Resolve employee relations matters with counsel as appropriate.
• Provide strategic direction for compensation and benefits programs.
• Ensure equitable recruitment, selection, and promotions respecting bargaining provisions.
• Advance organizational development, learning, and manager training.
• Ensure HRIS operations, data integrity, reporting, and records management.
• Communicate HR policies and changes to employees and managers.
• Maintain employment compliance and timely filings (EEO-1, ACA, Form 5500).
• Supervise HR staff and manage the HR budget.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic HR

Labor relations

Policy development

Communication

Employee relations

Education

Master’s degree in Human Resources

PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

UKG

Job description

The American Library Association (ALA) is seeking an experienced Director of Human Resources to lead its HR team, oversee Association-wide HR policies and practices, and help shape a workplace where employees can thrive. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director will serve as a trusted partner to employees, managers, and senior leadership, providing strategic guidance on evolving workforce needs. As ALA’s primary HR liaison with union representatives, the Director will foster constructive labor relations and support a fair, consistent, and effective workplace for both union and nonunion staff.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and guiding HR policies and practices to ensure consistent, equitable application and alignment with employment laws and the collective bargaining agreement.
• Leading labor relations, including contract interpretation and administration, labor-management meetings, grievances, and support for collective bargaining in coordination with labor counsel.
• Guiding the resolution of employee relations matters, including complaints, workplace investigations, coaching, progressive discipline, and separations; coordinating with employment counsel as appropriate.
• Providing strategic direction for compensation and benefits, including collectively bargained provisions, to support competitive, equitable programs and organizational goals.
• Establishing equitable recruitment, selection, placement, promotion, and transfer practices that comply with applicable collective bargaining provisions.
• Advancing organizational development, employee learning, and manager training in performance management, employee relations, and contract administration.
• Ensuring effective HRIS operations, system security, accurate reporting, and data integrity, including the maintenance of employment records and employee status changes.
• Overseeing HR communications to keep employees and managers informed about policies, benefits, workplace expectations, and collectively bargained programs or changes.
• Maintaining employment compliance and ensuring timely completion of required filings, including EEO-1, ACA reporting, and Form 5500, and distribution of required employee notices.
• Leading staff development and establishing training programs that strengthen employee skills, support manager effectiveness, and address organizational needs.
• Developing employee orientation to introduce new staff to ALA’s mission, culture, policies, and workplace practices.
• Supervising, developing, and evaluating HR staff; developing and administering the HR budget and monitoring departmental expenses.
• Advising the CFO and senior leadership on significant HR and labor matters and collaborating with Finance, legal counsel, benefit providers, and external consultants.

This is a regular full-time position based in our Chicago office.

ALA staff are currently working on a hybrid schedule. Please note that although we have a generous telecommuting policy for our employees, we do not have fully remote positions outside of our workplace sites.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check and proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Salary & Benefits

Starting salary is negotiable from $120k based on relevant experience. ALA offers an excellent benefits package that includes flexible work schedules, medical and dental coverage, generous paid time off, retirement annuity, and a 35-hour work week. You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible human resources experience.
• Minimum of five years of experience as a senior human resources executive in a union-based environment.
• Master’s degree in Human Resources or equivalent.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification.
• Working knowledge of federal and Illinois employment and labor laws, including NLRA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, ERISA, COBRA, and ACA.
• Experience administering collective bargaining agreements, managing grievances, and supporting collective bargaining and constructive labor-management relations.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and advising managers on employee relations and performance management.
• Ability to supervise and develop HR staff, exercise sound judgment, and handle sensitive information confidentially.
• Proficiency with HRIS and payroll systems and HR reporting.
• Budget development and expense management skills.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively with employees, managers, union representatives, and legal counsel.

Preferred but not required

Experience with UKG.

The American Library Association is an equal opportunity employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.