Human Resources Director

The LaSalle Network; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits enrollment

Job summary

The LaSalle Network is hiring for a Director of Human Resources for a 12-month contract based in downtown Chicago. This role will provide strategic and operational HR leadership during a transitional period for a leading Chicago-based university.

The Director will oversee a team of HR professionals, partner with executive leaders, and balance strategic oversight with day-to-day execution in a higher-education setting.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills.
• Exposure across all major HR functions including employee relations, leadership development, talent acquisition, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction and oversight to the HR team across assigned academic units.
• Coach and develop HR professionals; mentor junior staff.
• Act as HR Business Partner to executive leaders; offer strategic counsel.
• Provide workforce planning and risk mitigation for the university.
• Drive HR initiatives aligned with university objectives; adapt to evolving environment.
• Maintain executive presence and credibility with senior leadership.
• Ensure smooth HR operations and service delivery across units.
• Partner with leadership on talent acquisition, succession planning, and development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Salary: USD75 - USD83 per hour

LaSalle Network is hiring for a Director of Human Resources for a 12 month contract based in downtown Chicago. The Director of Human Resources will provide strategic and operational HR leadership during a transitional period for a leading Chicago-based university. This role will oversee a team of HR professionals while serving as a trusted advisor to executive leaders across assigned academic units.

The Director of Human Resources will ensure continuity of HR operations, strengthen team capability, and provide proactive, solutions-oriented leadership in a dynamic and evolving higher education environment.

This is a high-impact leadership role requiring strong people management skills, executive presence, and the ability to balance strategic oversight with day-to-day execution.

Director of Human Resources Responsibilities:

• Provide direction and oversight to the HR team across assigned business units
• Manage, coach, and develop team members, including mentoring junior HR staff
• Act as HR Business Partner to executive leaders, offering strategic counsel and practical solutions
• Provide forward-looking workforce planning, forecasting potential challenges and mitigating risks
• Drive proactive, solutions-focused HR initiatives aligned with university objectives
• Effectively manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced academic environment
• Maintain strong executive presence and credibility with senior leadership
• Ensure smooth HR operations and service delivery across academic units
• Support organizational design and workforce planning initiatives
• Oversee employee relations, performance management, and compliance matters
• Partner with leadership on talent acquisition, succession planning, and talent development
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing HR team
• Align HR practices with university policies and best practices in higher education

Director of Human Resources Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments

Demonstrated experience managing and developing HR professionals

Exposure across all major HR functions including employee relations, leadership development, talent acquisition, and compliance

Strategic thinker with strong execution capability

Action-oriented and adaptable in evolving environments

Solutions-focused mindset with strong problem-solving skills

Ability to build credibility with executive leaders and faculty stakeholders

Familiarity with broad HR best practices; higher education experience preferred

Strong interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills

Work Model: This position offers a hybrid working model of four days on-site in downtown Chicago.

Compensation: The hourly pay rate for this role ranges from $75-83/hr.

• Benefits: LaSalle Network consultants are eligible to enroll in benefits. For details, visit https://www.thelasallenetwork.com/consultants/