VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES OPERATIONS

LITTLE CITY FOUNDATION • Palatine, IL

20d • $95,000 - $100,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President of HR Operations is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Human Resources department, ensuring that HR systems, processes, compliance functions, and service delivery are efficient, consistent, and aligned with organizational goals. This role oversees core HR operational areas including employee relations, benefits and compensation administration, payroll and reporting, and HR coordination/compliance. The VP partners with the CHRO and senior leadership to strengthen operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and the overall employee experience while supporting Little City’s mission and values.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience with significant responsibility for HR operations, compliance, payroll, benefits administration, and employee relations, required.
• Must have strong interpersonal, leadership, highly detailed orientated, and analytical skills with the ability to manage confidential information with discretion.
• Experience with HRIS systems, preferably Paycom.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary HR teams in a complex, multi-site or nonprofit environment strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads the strategic development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HR operational systems, processes, and service delivery models.
• Provides direct oversight and leadership to: o Human Resources Coordinator o Employee Relations Specialist o Compensation & Benefits Specialist o Payroll & Reporting Coordinator (Part-Time) o Other positions may be added as the organization expands
• Oversees HRIS management, system updates, audits, data accuracy, and reporting requirements.
• Ensures regulatory compliance across all HR functions, including but not limited to DCFS requirements, PACE, background checks, payroll taxes, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Workers’ Compensation, OSHA reporting, unemployment claims, and agency documentation standards.
• Directs the administration and compliance of employee benefits programs, compensation structures, internal equity, leave of absence processes, and Workers’ Compensation in collaboration with the Compensation & Benefits Specialist.
• Oversees employee relations practices including investigations, disciplinary processes, grievances, union-related activities, and performance-related interventions, providing guidance on highly sensitive or complex issues.
• Consults with employment attorneys regarding union matters, high-risk employee relations issues, and complex legal concerns to ensure organizational compliance and mitigate risk.
• Develops and maintains strong, collaborative partnerships with union leadership to support positive labor-management relationships.
• Co-leads collective bargaining sessions with union representatives, ensuring preparedness, strategic consistency, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Leads the development and maintenance of HR policies, procedures, and documentation standards to ensure alignment with legal requirements and organizational needs.
• Partners with Finance to coordinate payroll reporting, annual audits, and compensation planning.
• Ensures consistency and quality of HR service delivery to all internal departments, setting service standards, monitoring performance metrics, and implementing process improvements.
• Develops and implements HR reporting frameworks, dashboards, and analytics to support strategic decision-making and workforce planning.
• Provides leadership, coaching, and professional development to HR team members to promote departmental effectiveness, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partners with the CHRO and senior leadership to support agency-wide HR initiatives, organizational changes, and long-term strategic planning.
• Partners with the CHRO to cultivate and manage strategic relationships with external vendors, third-party administrators, brokers, and trade associations to support HR operational effectiveness.
• Maintains the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism in managing employee information and sensitive HR matters.
• Successfully completes all required Little City training, re-training, and any additional training as mandated by agency policies and practices.
• Performs other duties or special projects as assigned by the CHRO.

Benefits

• Little City offers competitive salaries and benefits for eligible employees such as medical, dental, and vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k) and Roth 401(k) retirement plans with employer match, Flexible Spending Accounts ( FSA), life insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, paid holidays, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and an employee assistance program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees