Executive Director

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Human Rights Commission is seeking a strategic, mission-driven Executive Director to serve as the Commission’s primary operational leader. The role oversees Commission operations, including administration, staffing, budgeting, and implementation of rules and procedures, and is responsible for ensuring efficient and fair appeals processes for civil rights complainants and respondents. The Executive Director collaborates closely with the Illinois Department of Human Rights to facilitate case transfers, consistent interpretation of decisions, and progress toward a more equitable Illinois. The position maintains regular communication with the Commission Chair on policy, legislation, staffing, and budget direction, and represents the Commission publicly in advancing its civil rights mission. The role serves the full Commission and Commission panels, supervises staff, consults on legislation, maintains systems for tracking decisions and workloads, supports staff education, and publishes and edits the Commission’s bi-monthly newsletter. The position is based at the Commission’s Chicago headquarters, with hybrid schedule availability of one to five days per week in the office depending on operational needs. The work schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; work hours and schedule will be mutually agreed upon during onboarding. Overtime may be required, including evenings and weekends, and travel may include overnight stays.

Requirements

Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to four years of college with coursework in business or public administration.
Six years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or private organization.
Familiarity with the operations and programs of the Human Rights Commission.
Complete a background check and self-disclose criminal history.
Ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, and other topics relevant to the job duties.
Possess an appropriate and valid driver's license and be able to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
Be able to work overtime when requested or required, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime; this may involve evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Current and valid Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.

Responsibilities

Serve as Executive Director to the full Commission and Commission panels.
Serve as a full-line supervisor.
Develop and maintain an information system for tracking Commission decisions and staff workloads.
Consult on legislation consistent with Commission goals.
Meet and confer with staff of the Director of the Department of Human Rights to facilitate efficient case flow from the Department to the Commission.
Represent the Commission with human rights organizations.
Develop and execute an internal education system for the Commission and professional staff focused on developments in civil rights laws, rules, legal decisions, administrative rulings, and agency practices.
Publish and edit the Commission’s bi-monthly newsletter.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the listed duties.
Oversee Commission administration, staffing, budgeting, and implementation of rules and procedures.
Ensure efficient and fair appeals processes for civil rights complainants and respondents.
Maintain regular communication with the Commission Chair on policy, legislation, staffing, and budget direction.
Represent the Commission publicly to advance its civil rights mission.