Strategic HR Manager — Inclusive, Trauma-Informed Leader

Downtown Women's Center; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Downtown Women’s Center in Chicago seeks a Human Resources Manager to lead people strategy, guide managers, and ensure compliant, trauma-informed operations. This role partners with agency leadership to drive engagement, retention, development, and organizational effectiveness while upholding DWC values.

The HR Manager oversees employee relations, investigations, policy administration, benefits, and HR data systems, and supervises the HR team.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years HR experience, with at least 2 years in a managerial or supervisory role.
• Experience in nonprofit organizations or mission-driven environments preferred.
• Knowledge of California employment laws, wage and hour regulations, leave laws, workers’ compensation, and workplace investigations.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to explain complex issues clearly and diplomatically.
• Must be a CA resident within 80 miles of DWC and available for in-person meetings.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with DWC’s mission and values.
• Guide managers on workforce planning, performance management, and organizational effectiveness.
• Lead employee relations matters including investigations and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state/local employment laws and maintain HR policies.
• Oversee benefits administration, leaves, and HR operations; manage HR data and reporting.

Skills

Strategic HR leadership

Employee relations

Workplace investigations

Policy compliance

Change management

Talent development

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HRM/Business/Psychology

PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Downtown Women’s Center in Chicago seeks a Human Resources Manager to lead people strategy, guide managers, and ensure compliant, trauma-informed operations. This role partners with agency leadership to drive engagement, retention, development, and organizational effectiveness while upholding DWC values.

The HR Manager oversees employee relations, investigations, policy administration, benefits, and HR data systems, and supervises the HR team.