Human Resources Assistant Director

Old Town School of Folk Music • Chicago, IL

3d

About The Position

The Old Town School of Folk Music seeks a dedicated Human Resources Associate Director - Faculty & Labor Relations to support the HR department with a primary focus on all teaching positions. This role is responsible for facilitating faculty recruiting, onboarding, training, and performance evaluation. This position will work directly with Collective Bargaining Union members, serving as the dedicated HR representative for administrative meetings, employee relations, and labor relations.

Requirements

• 5–7+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, with at least 3 years directly handling labor relations, unionized environments, or collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial/Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Strong working knowledge of labor law (NLRA), employment regulations, grievance procedures, contract administration, and internal investigation protocols.
• Prior experience managing HR processes specifically for faculty, adjunct instructors, creative professionals, or non-profit workforce structures.

Nice To Haves

• HRCI (SPHR/PHR) or SHRM (SHRM-SCP/SHRM-CP) certification, or specialized labor relations certifications.
• Background in arts education, non-profit administration, performing arts, or higher education institutions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR contact for collective bargaining unit interactions, labor/management meetings, and grievance resolutions.
• Ensure organization-wide compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and consult with legal counsel as needed on complex union or personnel matters.
• Oversee full-cycle recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, and retention programs tailored specifically to teaching positions.
• Design and manage the faculty performance evaluation process.
• Collaborate with the Education Department to develop and facilitate target training programs, and professional development opportunities.
• Lead fair, objective internal reviews and HR investigations to address workplace concerns, resolve conflicts, and maintain a respectful, compliant, and supportive environment for all teaching staff.
• Drive initiatives that boost faculty engagement, health, and safety.
• Work closely with the HR Director to align teaching department needs with broader organizational HR strategies.
• Work with HR Generalists to ensure faculty-specific HR data, contract tracking, and reporting are accurate and up-to-date.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level