Senior Director of Human Resources

One Million Degrees•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

One Million Degrees (OMD) accelerates community college students’ progress on career pathways to economic mobility. OMD’s holistic support model is designed to support community college students as they work toward degrees and careers. The Senior Director of Human Resources is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s HR function, including payroll, benefits administration, HR policies and procedures, labor relations and union communication, employee and manager training, and regulatory compliance. As a key member of the Leadership Team, this individual will actively contribute to strategic planning, organizational decision-making, and overall operational effectiveness within the non-profit. Operating in a hybrid work environment, this role requires a leader who can effectively support, engage, and build culture across both in-person and remote teams. This position calls for a hands-on, “roll-up-your-sleeves” approach, balancing day-to-day execution with the ability to think strategically and drive long-term initiatives. The Senior Director of Human Resources will report directly to the Chief Finance & Operations Officer and serve as a trusted advisor on all people-related matters.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, ideally in an HR-related field
10+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in a nonprofit environment
Proficiency in payroll and cloud-based HCM software; OMD currently uses Paycom
Multiple years of leading and managing employee benefits renewal cycles
6+ years of managing highly successful HR teams and functions
Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
Demonstrates effective time management and reliably meets all deadlines
Exceptional communicator who listens well and relates to staff across all job functions
Collaborative team player with a commitment to OMD’s values of equity, excellence, community, learning, and amplification.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

Senior-level HR certification such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR preferred
Additional certifications in compensation, benefits, or labor relations a plus

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and support the HR team; set priorities and provide coaching and mentorship
As an active member of Leadership Team, help establish organizational strategy and policy
Align HR initiatives with organizational goals and mission
Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and offboarding
Lead all performance management systems and processes
Support leadership development and succession planning
Define the strategic vision for employee learning & development, aligning training and professional growth with organizational priorities
Establish systems, tools, and processes to sustain ongoing employee learning, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement
Lead the ongoing development of an organization-wide knowledge-sharing platform
Develop metrics to evaluate adoption and effectiveness of employee training programs
Oversee compensation philosophy, benchmarking, and pay equity analyses
Design and manage employee benefits programs; lead annual employee benefits renewals
Manage employee classifications and ensure compliance with wage and hour laws
Serve as primary point of contact for union relations and all ongoing engagement with union leadership
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
Develop, maintain, and enforce HR policies and the Employee Handbook
Address employee relations matters and foster a positive, supportive, compliant workplace
Oversee HRIS/payroll systems, including optimization, system enhancement, and process improvement
Lead HR data management, reporting, and analytics to support informed decision-making
Ensure accurate, timely, and thorough maintenance of employee records and documentation
Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency and cross-functional collaboration

Benefits

Full Health Benefits – Provided for all full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision.
OMD currently offers some medical insurance on which OMD covers 100% of individual’s monthly premium and 90% of monthly premium for employee + dependents.
Employee assistance program, which offers confidential emotional support, work-life solutions, legal guidance, financial resources, and more.
Retirement Benefits – For full-time employees, OMD offers a 401(k) plan and matches retirement contributions up to 4% of total salary.
Generous Paid Time Off Policy– OMD has 12 paid holidays and offers up to 15 days PTO in year one; in addition to two weeks paid time off for winter break (note: 3 of the 12 paid holidays occur during those two weeks at winter break).
Compensatory time for certain designated duties performed outside of normal work hours
Monthly cell phone and internet reimbursement up to $50/month.
12 weeks of paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents.
Professional Learning Opportunities – OMD supports employee development in areas relevant to professional and organizational goals.
Annual Professional Development allowances are set as part of annual budgets, and employees have opportunities to seek occasional additional support to supplement their personal Professional Development allowance when appropriate.