Global Human Resources Director

Crucial Hire; Schaumburg (IL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Crucial Hire is seeking a Vice President of Human Resources based in Schaumburg, Illinois. This executive role involves overseeing organizational development and talent strategy, ensuring HR aligns with business growth in a complex, multi-entity environment. The successful candidate will drive initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness, employee relations, and compliance.

The position offers a competitive base salary ranging from $200,000 to $240,000, reflecting the high leadership expectations and impactful nature of the role.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive HR leadership experience.
• Strong background supporting manufacturing, industrial, or operationally intensive environments.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational execution.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership across organizational planning.
• Align HR strategy with operational, financial, and long-term business objectives.
• Lead modernization efforts across HR systems, processes, and operational workflows.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Communication skills

Organizational influence

Talent strategy

Employee relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field

Master’s degree in Human Resources or related field

Job description

Some HR leadership roles support the business. This one helps drive it. We’re conducting a confidential search on behalf of a mid‑to‑large‑sized global machinery manufacturing organization with a strong operational footprint and a rapidly evolving workforce strategy. This is a highly visible executive leadership role supporting a complex, multi‑entity environment where HR is expected to influence organizational performance, leadership capability, operational effectiveness, and long‑term growth strategy.

The organization is seeking a hands‑on executive leader who can balance strategic transformation with operational execution across a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. You’ll be expected to engage closely with executive leadership, operations, finance, and functional business leaders to help scale the organization, strengthen culture, and modernize people practices across the enterprise.

About the Role

As the Vice President of Human Resources, you will serve as the senior HR leader responsible for shaping and executing the organization’s people strategy across multiple business entities and operational functions. You’ll oversee organizational development, talent strategy, employee relations, workforce planning, leadership development, compensation strategy, compliance, and HR operations while acting as a strategic advisor to executive leadership.

This role requires someone who can operate effectively in both boardroom‑level strategy discussions and day‑to‑day operational leadership environments. The organization is looking for an executive who understands how HR directly impacts manufacturing performance, workforce stability, scalability, and long‑term business growth.

Responsibilities

Executive HR Leadership & Business Partnership

• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership across organizational planning, workforce strategy, and business growth initiatives
• Align HR strategy with operational, financial, and long‑term business objectives
• Support leadership teams through organizational transformation, restructuring, and operational scaling initiatives
• Drive organizational effectiveness across multiple entities and functional business groups
• Influence executive decision‑making through workforce insights, talent analytics, and organizational planning
• Lead enterprise‑wide talent management initiatives including succession planning, leadership development, workforce planning, and retention strategy
• Build scalable leadership development frameworks to strengthen long‑term organizational capability
• Oversee performance management strategies and employee development initiatives
• Partner with leadership to strengthen engagement, accountability, and organizational culture
• Drive initiatives that improve workforce stability and long‑term talent pipelines

Employee Relations, Compliance & Workforce Leadership

• Provide executive oversight on employee relations strategy, investigations, and complex workforce matters
• Ensure compliance across federal, state, and multi‑entity employment regulations
• Partner with legal and operational leadership on labor, compliance, and workforce risk management initiatives
• Promote a culture centered on accountability, communication, and operational excellence
• Support leaders through difficult organizational and workforce decisions with consistency and sound judgment

HR Operations & Process Transformation

• Lead modernization efforts across HR systems, processes, and operational workflows
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across HR operations and workforce processes
• Utilize workforce analytics and organizational data to guide strategic decision‑making
• Oversee compensation, benefits, and total rewards strategy in alignment with market competitiveness and organizational goals
• Ensure HR infrastructure and programs can scale alongside organizational growth

Multi‑Entity & Global HR Leadership

• Support HR strategy across a global, multi‑entity organizational structure
• Partner with international and domestic leadership teams to ensure consistency and operational alignment
• Navigate organizational complexity across multiple business units, functions, and operational groups
• Help standardize people practices while maintaining flexibility across business needs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field required
• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• 12+ years of progressive HR leadership experience
• Strong background supporting manufacturing, industrial, or operationally intensive environments
• Experience operating within global, multi‑entity organizations
• Proven success partnering with executive leadership teams on organizational strategy and workforce initiatives
• Strong experience in organizational development, talent strategy, employee relations, and workforce planning
• Deep understanding of employment law, compliance, and operational HR leadership
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands‑on operational execution
• Strong executive presence, communication skills, and organizational influence capabilities
• Experience leading organizational change and process transformation initiatives

Pay Range and Compensation Package

Base salary range: $200,000 – $240,000

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status.