Human Resources Manager

The Human Resources Manager will lead the management and refinement of comprehensive HR systems and structures for the Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU of Illinois (ACLU-IL). This role is responsible for ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, advancing nonprofit HR best practices, and embedding the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into all aspects of the employee lifecycle.

The Human Resources Manager will oversee day-to-day HR functions for a growing staff that will soon exceed 50 employees. Key responsibilities include recruitment, benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, policy development, and organizational development initiatives. This is a highly visible role requiring discretion, integrity, and the ability to foster a respectful workplace.

Key Responsibilities

Human Resources Administration

• Maintain, refine, and develop effective and efficient HR systems and processes.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee HR inquiries, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
• Maintain compliance with all legal requirements and HR best practices, with an eye on reducing organizational risk.
• Maintain the utmost confidentiality and accuracy of all employee records and personnel files.

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Manage full-cycle recruitment, assisting staff leaders with job postings, application review, interviews, reference checks, and job offers.
• Oversee onboarding and orientation processes for new hires, ensuring a welcoming and informed orientation.

Benefits & Compensation

• Administer health, dental, vision, retirement, and other benefits in our comprehensive benefits package.
• Partner with financial staff to ensure payroll and other benefits are processed in a timely and accurate manner.
• Partner with benefits vendors, brokers, and the Board’s Benefits Committee on renewals, compliance filings, and reporting.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Provide guidance and support for conflict resolution, workplace concerns, and employee feedback processes.
• Manage and enhance systems for employee evaluations, career development, and staff wellness programs.

Policy & Compliance

• Review and update the personnel handbook and HR policies to align with legal requirements and organizational priorities.
• Prepare materials for audits, compliance reporting, and other HR-related legal obligations.
• Assist with implementation and compliance with collective bargaining agreement.

Organizational Development & DEIB Practices

• Implement DEIB best practices across recruitment, retention, and professional development efforts.

Vendor & Consultant Management

• Identify and manage relationships with external HR consultants, attorneys, and other vendors as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible HR experience, including policy development, benefits administration, and compliance oversight with state and local requirements for harassment training and professional credentials.
• In-depth knowledge of employment law, HR guidelines, and nonprofit HR best practices.
• Meticulous and thorough record-keeping skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills that do not rely on the usage of generative AI.
• Demonstrated experience applying DEIB principles in the workplace.
• Familiarity with management and team-building best practices.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution, mediation, and/or relationship-building. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Discretion, integrity, and sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential matters.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to think strategically, solve problems, and implement process improvements.

Preferred, but not required qualifications

• Experience performing HR duties in a mid-sized nonprofit (between 15-80 employees)
• Experience performing HR duties for an organization engaged in litigation or legislative advocacy.
• Experience performing HR duties in a unionized environment.
• HR Certification (SHRM-CP or PHR) a plus.

Working Conditions

Primarily office-based work; prolonged periods at a computer. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required. Travel outside of Chicago is not expected.

Salary

Salary is determined by the ACLU-IL salary scale and is commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $125,000 commensurate with experience. Salary will be higher depending on additional experience.

Benefits include

• Vacation: 15 days of paid vacation in the first year and 20 days of paid vacation thereafter.
• Health benefits: 100% employer-paid premiums for medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff and eligible dependents.
• Retirement benefits: 6% employer-paid retirement contribution after 1 year without any employee contribution, plus 50% employer retirement match of the first $125 the employee contributes per pay period (there are 2 pay periods per month / 24 pay periods per year).
• Other benefits: 100% employer-paid life insurance; employee assistance program; short and long-term disability insurance. Paid parental leave after 1 year. Flexible spending accounts.

ACLU Employment Statement

The ACLU of Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, criminal record, or veteran status.

The ACLU of Illinois is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance applying online, please email the Human Resources department at HR@aclu-il.org. If selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodation for the interview process.

AI Usage Statement

AI will not be used to screen or evaluate candidates for this position.

Broad usage of generative AI to create work product is restricted at the ACLU of Illinois in accordance with internal guidelines and policies.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following materials

• A current resume.
• A cover letter of no more than 1 page, addressing:
• How your skills meet the qualifications for the position.
• Why you are interested in working for the American Civil Liberties Union.
• Your experiences working in nonprofit environments, with unionized employees, and/or in organizations engaged in litigation or legislative advocacy (if applicable).