Director, Human Resources

Heartland Human Care Services•Chicago, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Human Resources, serves as a strategic and operational leader responsible for delivering comprehensive HR support across the organization. This role leads the HR Business Partner function while owning all aspects of employee and labor relations, ensuring alignment between people strategies and business objectives. This position partners closely with leadership to drive workforce effectiveness, manage employee relations risk, support a unionized workforce, and ensure consistent, compliant HR practices. The Director plays a critical role in shaping a high-performing culture while balancing operational needs, employee experience, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institute of higher learning in human resources management, business administration, or related fields.
Minimum ten (10) years of progressive Human Resources experience required.
Minimum seven (7) years of HR management at the Director level or above required.
Previous experience working in a union environment and with grievance management
Human Resource Certification at SHRM PHR or SPHR level required.
Strong expertise in HRIS systems, payroll operations, benefits, and compensation programs.
Strong understanding of employment law, payroll regulation, and HR best practices.
Strong Union Relations
Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
Excellent communication, training, and relationship-building skills.
High level of professionalism, confidentiality, and judgment.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Ability to lead through change and drive cross-functional alignment.
Skilled in process optimization, technology adoption, and systems thinking.
Excellent communication skills.
Strong networker, relationship builder and communicator with experience collaborating with diverse work teams and stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information possessing skills to handle situations in a professional and diplomatic manner.
A high degree of collaboration and emotional intelligence, self-motivation, and analytical ability.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange; Windows operating systems; and other software routinely used by HHCS.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Strategic thought partnership and consultancy skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Work experience in a nonprofit organization is a plus
Lean or other process improvement certification, is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders on workforce strategy and organizational design
Lead HR Business Partner function to deliver consistent support
Support workforce planning, succession planning, and performance management
Lead employee relations and workplace investigations
Manage union engagement, grievances, and contract interpretation
Advise leadership on disciplinary actions and risk mitigation
Leads and manages the People Operations teams responsible for Benefits, Compensation, Payroll, HRIS, Recruitment, and Learning & Development.
Ensures efficient, accurate, and service-oriented HR processes across the full employee lifecycle.
Develops and maintains HR processes, SOPs, and service-level expectations to drive consistency and quality.
Implements process improvements that enhance data accuracy, minimize manual work, and optimize employee and manager experiences.
Ensures alignment across HR functions through strong communication, collaboration, and operational integration.
Ensures compliance with ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, COBRA, FMLA, and other regulatory requirements.
Oversees the design and management of learning and leadership development initiatives.
Partners with leaders to identify skill gaps and create development pathways.