Director of Human Resources

Background:

The MacArthur Justice Center works to combat injustice in the criminal legal system, representing those most impacted by the system. Founded in memory of Rod MacArthur, who fought during his life for fair treatment for all persons, regardless of their race, religious affiliation, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity, the Center operates in five locations, with the headquarters in Illinois. Exposing racial injustice, correcting systemic failures in the criminal system and fighting for the rights of the oppressed is particularly important today. The Center is committed to continuing and enhancing its work in these areas. Helping them in this effort will be a newly created Director of Human Resources who will help build recruitment, support the current employees, and help direct the overall human resources at the MacArthur Justice Center. 

The Position:

The MacArthur Justice Center is seeking a skilled, smart, sophisticated, and supportive human resources professional to become its Director of Human Resources (“Director”). Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director is a critical member of the senior leadership team and supports the Center’s mission, values, people and culture with exceptional personal sensitivity and skill. Providing guidance and expertise to the Executive Team, managers and staff throughout the organization, the Director is a change leader who develops and implements strategic initiatives, which reflect best practices and that drive and support a highly engaged and performing organizational culture, particularly around the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. It would be preferable for the candidate to be able to work in Chicago. Consideration will be given to candidates who require flexible hours. 

They must be an adept leader with a demonstrated ability to develop and promote organizational values of accountability, diversity, inclusivity, equity and autonomy. They guide or manage talent acquisition, retention, regulatory compliance, equitable compensation, benefits strategy and administration, the performance management system as well as the day-to-day operation of all human resources processes and procedures.

The Director should have substantial experience in managing human resources for diverse and complex organizations. They will possess excellent speaking and writing skills and be able to communicate successfully and persuasively within the organization and with outside contacts, consultants, and legal counsel, when necessary. The successful candidate will be highly organized, diplomatic, possess sound judgment as well as honed interpersonal skills, and maintain a sense of humor under stress. The successful candidate should be comfortable working with criminal system-involved individuals and ideally should have familiarity working within legal organizations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Manage talent acquisition and development of talent 

• o Manage processes to recruit, hire and onboard employees, supporting managers in filling open positions in a timely manner with individuals who are well matched to the organization’s talent needs
• o Create individualized staff development plans to foster personal growth and to meet the organizations needs

Provide leadership and services to support and reinforce the organization’s culture and values (diversity and equity; racial justice; inclusivity; collaborative teamwork and partnership; innovation; top performance in a diverse marketplace; respect and compassion):

• o Model, through words and actions, a positive, inclusive and productive culture that will meet the Center’s needs and align with its values
• o Provide a welcoming, approachable and reliable sounding board for employee concerns, maintaining confidences as appropriate, and advising employees and managers to support effective resolution of employee concerns.
• o Identify employee concerns and priorities related to workplace issues through surveys, exit interviews, focus groups and other means, and represent these concerns to senior management with recommendations for improvements
• o Advise on and help guide and change management processes as the organization develops to support growth and increased impact

Assure legal and regulatory compliance and manage HR risk

• o Assure that the organization maintains up-to-date employment policies and procedures that comply with all regulations and support the organization’s desired culture
• o Assure that employment policies and procedures are effectively communicated to and understood by all staff through an employee handbook or manual, orientations, staff trainings and other measures as needed
• o Support the consistent enforcement of all policies and procedures through identifying instances of concern or potential concern and providing information, advice and coaching to managers and staff
• o Ensure agency-wide compliance with annual harassment prevention training and other mandates – and go beyond this with training to support the inclusiveness and diversity the Center values in its workplace
• o Proactively communicate with the liability insurance broker as needed to manage potential exposure related to HR matters

Plan and administer the compensation system, including payroll and all benefits

• o Develop and maintain an equitable and transparent Center-wide compensation strategy and structure
• o Advise on all salary adjustments to support the optimum allocation of salary resources to retain high-performing staff and ensure internal equity within and across departments
• o Annually review benefit offerings from current and alternate providers, analyze costs to both employees and the Center, make recommendations and facilitate decision making by management 
• o Communicate changes in benefits to all employees, assuring that they are aware of their choices and supported in making decisions to meet their needs

Operate the Performance Management system

• o Support effective ongoing and annual performance review processes through working with senior management to assure the adoption and implementation of performance review processes, including usable forms, transparent processes and viable review schedules; coaching managers and employees in using the system and effectively giving and receiving feedback; and collaborating with management to revise the system design as needed from time to time

Maintain an effective and efficient Human Resources operational infrastructure to support a rapidly growing multistate organization

• o Structure and manage HR function and vendor relationships
• o Provide efficient and responsive service to employees on matters relating to compensation, benefits and other HR items.
• o Design and operate a human resources information system to store and easily retrieve confidential HR information
• o Maintain, communicate and manage processes for all employee status changes, such as raises, title changes, leaves and departures
• o Maintain standard documents such as hiring letters, termination letters and other standard forms and letters as well as such other procedures, calendars and tools as may be needed

Skills and Abilities:

The Director of Human Resources will be a very positive contributor to the MacArthur Justice Center’s culture and effectiveness through their abilities, attitudes and actions. The successful candidate:

• • Is inspired by the Center’s mission and eager to join others in working to achieve it
• • Has deep integrity and is highly self-motivated and driven by a strong work ethic to take initiative to drive improvements and achieve goals
• • Has a track record of building and sustaining diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces and a commitment to fostering racial justice;
• • Is a proven collaborator, sensitive and responsive to the needs of all colleagues, and able to build strong and effective working relationships with the executive team, department directors, staff across the organization and key vendors, such as benefits brokers and payroll providers
• • Creates a positive work environment for those who report to them, setting appropriately high expectations, and inspiring effort, engagement and connection to the organization’s mission
• • Is known for providing supportive supervision and fostering the professional growth and success of their direct reports 

Additional qualifications:

• • Human Resources graduate degree or equivalent (MPA, etc.) required; candidates with equivalent, applicable experience and HR certification (PHR, SHRM) will be considered
• • Demonstrated success managing HR processes through the entire employment life cycle, from recruitment and hiring a diverse workforce through performance management and departures
• • Prior experience in implementing DEI best practices;
• • Knowledge of multiple HR disciplines and best practices, including employee relations, compensation and benefits administration, change management and organizational development, in both theory and practice
• • Understanding of the demands of operating in a mission-driven culture, and sensitivity to the dynamics of effecting change and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace
• • Keen understanding of employment laws and regulatory systems and requirements
• • Demonstrated computer proficiency and familiarity with HRIS systems and processes
• • Ability to act with sensitivity, tact and responsiveness and maintain confidentiality in personal employee matters
• • Effective and persuasive communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal, to groups both large and small, with ability to appreciate various viewpoints, share relevant information in a timely manner, and maintain a high level of professionalism
• • Ability to effectively present trainings, benefits information and other HR topics to diverse groups of employees and to communicate with clarity as well as with sensitivity in smaller meetings
• • High level of emotional intelligence with a positive outlook and good sense of humor
• • Prior experience in a legal organization setting.

For more information about the MacArthur Justice Center, please visit their website at www.macarthurjustice.org

The criminal legal system disproportionally harms people of color, people from low-income communities, the formerly-incarcerated, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We strongly encourage those who identify within these and other communities underrepresented in the legal profession to apply. All applicants must have and be committed to the cultural competence required to work with clients and co-workers who come from different backgrounds and experiences. People with experience in community activism and/or organizing are also strongly encouraged to apply.

All positions at the MacArthur Justice Center are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.