Human Resources Manager

Catherine Cook; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Catherine Cook School seeks a vibrant HR Manager to join our Business Office in Chicago. This part-time role partners with the Head of School to attract, develop, support, and retain staff embodying our mission and values.

You will build sustainable HR processes, manage onboarding and benefits, ensure legal compliance, and support a culture of belonging and wellness across the school community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, organizational leadership, or related field.
• Five+ years HR experience, preferably in a school setting.
• Experience in employee relations, performance management, benefits, leave, recruitment, onboarding, and compliance.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with employees and guide on workplace policies and performance.
• Coordinate benefits, leave programs, and employment-related processes with confidentiality.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and reporting requirements.
• Maintain HR systems, policies, and employee resources including the handbook.
• Oversee onboarding, leaves of absence, offboarding, and benefit transitions.
• Develop efficient HR processes to support growth and operational excellence.
• Participate in DEI and SEL efforts to grow a culture of belonging.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

Benefits administration

Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Leadership

PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft 365

Google Workspace

Job description

• Type: Part-Time, 16-20 hours per week, 12-month


• Supervisor: CFO


• Location: Chicago, IL, on-site


• Starting Date: ASAP

Why consider Catherine Cook School?

Catherine Cook is a vibrant and inclusive learning community where curiosity, connection, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to developing creative, collaborative problem solvers who tackle global challenges from multiple perspectives. Our dedicated faculty and staff help students from preschool through 8th grade become empowered learners and leaders.

All Cook employees are trained and supported in incorporating wellness and belonging into their work with students and adults. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) are the cornerstones upon which we build a curriculum and community. At Cook, we commit to all community members being active learners, from our preschool students to us as adults.

We invite you to consider how Cook will benefit from having you, along with your experiences in educating and learning, as a part of our community.

How will this role contribute to the growth of the Cook community?

Catherine Cook School seeks a vibrant and innovative Human Resources Manager. This position is a member of the Business Office and partners with the Head of School and other school leaders and employees to attract, develop, support, and retain talented employees who embody Catherine Cook’s mission and values. The HR Manager will help create systems and processes that support both day-to-day operations and the long-term success of the Catherine Cook community, focused on caring for our greatest asset, our people.

How will I contribute and grow personally and professionally in this role?

• Building trusted relationships with employees while providing guidance on workplace concerns, policies, and performance management practices




• Coordinating employee benefits, leave programs, and employment-related processes with accuracy, confidentiality, and care




• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and reporting requirements




• Maintaining and improving HR systems, policies, procedures, and employee resources, including the Employee Handbook




• Managing employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, leaves of absence, offboarding, and benefit transitions




• Developing efficient, repeatable, and sustainable HR processes that support organizational growth and operational excellence




• Growing as a life‑long learner through active participation in meetings and professional development opportunities




• Growing our culture of belonging and wellness through active participation in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) efforts




• Serving as an Ambassador for our Enrollment Management and Development efforts




• Connecting with and caring for students and colleagues through weekly duties

What will the ideal candidate for this role embody?

• A bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience




• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred




• Five or more years of Human Resources experience, preferably in a school setting




• Experience supporting key HR functions, including employee relations, performance management, benefits administration, leave management, recruitment, onboarding, and compliance




• Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA, EEOC, wage and hour requirements




• A demonstrated ability to build sustainable, effective, and employee-centered processes that support organizational growth and operational excellence




• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through




• The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality




• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate effectively across a diverse school community




• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace applications, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and Google Drive




• Flexibility, adaptability, and a solution‑oriented approach in a dynamic and evolving environment




• A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and wellness, and a genuine passion for supporting the success of employees and the greater community




• A growth mindset and enthusiasm for continuous learning, collaboration, and contributing to the Catherine Cook School mission and values

What is the salary range for this position?

In compliance with IL’s Equal Pay Act, this position's salary range is $40,000-$55,000 depending on FTE. When extending an offer, Catherine Cook considers factors such as (but not limited to) the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Catherine Cook School is an equal-opportunity employer. We recognize that skills and insights are developed through a variety of professional and lived experiences. We seek to be more representative of the communities in which we live and who we teach. We are intentionally seeking candidates who can demonstrate the core qualifications of this role through a combination of both non‑traditional and traditional personal and professional experiences.