Senior HR Generalist - University Housing

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

University Housing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a Senior HR Generalist to guide a broad set of human resources activities, including labor relations, recruitment, leave management, and compensation. You will provide strategic guidance and handle complex HR issues in a collaborative, diverse environment.

This 100% full-time Civil Service position emphasizes policy adherence, classification accuracy, and employee development, working with supervisors and HR staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR Administration or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of professional HR experience including performance management/disciplinary processes.
• Experience with HR policies, compliance, and labor relations.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to supervisors on performance management and disciplinary actions.
• Coordinate recruitment, search, onboarding for roles across the unit and levels.
• Manage leave administration (FMLA, PLF A, and other categories) and related policies.
• Oversee job classification and analysis; advise on title changes and reclassification as needed.
• Advise on salary decisions and internal pay equity; communicate benefits to staff.
• Ensure adherence to HR policies and legal requirements through training and audits.
• Lead or support training, development, and culture initiatives; advise on career growth.

Skills

Discretion & confidentiality

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR Administration or related field

Job description

Senior HR Generalist

University Housing provides an essential element of the Illinois experience, with hundreds of employees across seven units working together to build and maintain safe, healthy and welcoming homes for our residents. We value the many diverse voices, opinions, experiences and identities of the Illinois community, and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is woven into each of our interactions, programs and decisions.

Business services keeps University Housing running smoothly. Staff work on payroll, budget planning, accounting, purchasing, labor relations, policy interpretation, labor contract administration, project management and more. Employees within business services manage the entire life cycle of an employee including hiring, onboarding and the exit process.

Learn more about this position and our team at the following link: https://go.illinois.edu/SrHRGen

Job Summary

The Senior HR Generalist manages a variety of human resource activities, provides strategic guidance on a variety of human resource activities, and manages complex human resource related issues.

Labor & Employee Relations

• Provides guidance to supervisors on performance management practices and issues.
• Recommends interpretation of collective bargaining agreement language and corrective actions to performance issues under administrative supervision.
• May infrequently participate in contract negotiations.
• May serve as a resource to lower-level staff.
• Facilitates accommodations and conflict resolution efforts. Resolves supervisor/employee conflicts requiring intervention or consultation with either party.

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Responsible for independently coordinating search, hiring, and onboarding processes for roles at all levels in all employment categories applicable to the unit, including recruitment efforts.
• Communicate with applicants and new hires, facilitating interview, hiring, and onboarding processes.
• Communicate and implement search procedures aligned with best practices and compliance needs, advising search committees and hiring managers.
• Contribute to overall hiring plans, providing guidance on search strategies aligned with talent needs (e.g., multi-level searches, search timing).
• Responsible for aligning recruitment and advertising efforts with unit and university branding efforts.

Leave Management

• Responsible for overall unit management of FMLA, PLFA, or other managed leave categories. Develop and implement related guidelines and process improvements.
• Counsel and resolve complex or sensitive issues related to leave. Informs and advises staff on complex regulations/policies relating to leave usage.

Job Classification & Analysis

• Oversees job classification and analysis processes for designated groups.
• Assists with the development of internal-to-unit classification strategies.
• Provides expertise on job analysis and evaluation.
• Identify out-of-scope duties and recommend title changes based on overall responsibilities, as appropria

Compensation & Benefits

• Advises on salary decisions and develops justifications.
• Reviews internal pay equity and recommends adjustments as needed.
• Recommends compensation amounts for temporary/additional pay circumstances.
• Informs employees of all available benefit offerings and uses expertise to direct employees to benefits of specific value to their individual circumstances.
• Acts as a resource to lower-level staff members on compensation and benefits topics.

HR Compliance & Policy

• Ensures adherence to HR policies and legal requirements through tracking, training, and internal reviews. May develop and implement internal compliance strategies.
• Provides expertise on HR policies and legal requirements.

Organizational Culture & Development

• Leads or supports the delivery, planning, and development of training, development, and culture initiatives. Contributes to future program planning based on the needs of the unit, in collaboration with training professionals and/or leadership staff.
• Advises employees and managers on professional development and career growth. Acts as a resource regarding employee learning and development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Administration, Management, Organizational Administration, Public Administration, Labor Relations, Business Administration or a fieldcloselyrelated to the position.
• Three (3) years (36 months) of work experience performing professional-level human resources duties which includes performance management/discipline processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than three (3+) years experience with Illinois Performance Partnership Program.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive work experience that demonstrates strong ability to research, interpret and make recommendations based on HR policy.
• Knowledge of university and campus policies as they relate to HR functions to ensure all related guidelines and procedures are administered appropriately and accurately.
• Experience working in a union environment and interpreting contract language.
• Experience in documentation, training, and search and hire practices.
• Experience working independently and managing multiple projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to maintain a high level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Results oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5020 - Human Resource Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary for this position is $65,000 to $72,000. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on October 22, 2026.

For further information about this specific position, please contact Housing Human Resources at [e-mail]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Learn about Champaign-Urbana, our campus and the community we hope you choose to live and work in: Champaign-Urbana.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].

Requisition ID: 1037795

Job Category: Professional and Administrative