DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES (BUREAU OF HUMAN RESOURCES) – SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Overview

Cook County Bureau of Human Resources is seeking an experienced HR leader with a strong background in complex organizations to oversee daily human resources functions and operations. This role offers an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact by collaborating with senior leadership to develop policies, guide staff initiatives, and represent the bureau/department in meetings with elected and administrative officials to discuss hiring and other personnel-related matters.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

Benefits

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 9 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 15 vacation days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.
  
  

SALARY RANGE: $157,000 - $192,500 / YEARLY

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
• 2nd largest county in America
• Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
• Nearly 80% unionized workforce
• 15 unions represented
• 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.
  

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

Job Summary

Oversees daily human resources (HR) functions and operations. Coordinates the efforts of managers and collaborates confidentially with senior leadership to develop policies and evaluate staff efforts. Leads the planning, development, and implementation of projects and programs, with primary responsibility for the overseeing the public service counter and public facing activities. Represents the bureau/department in meetings with elected and administrative officials to discuss hiring and other personnel related matters. Reviews, finalizes, and approves various personnel actions while keeping senior leadership informed of matters requiring their attention.

Typical Job Duties

• Collaborates with senior leadership to plan, develop, and implement programs that enhance personnel effectiveness and support the management of divisions within the bureau/department.
• Oversees HR functions related to the central administration, including training and career development, employee relations, equal employment opportunity (EEO), leave management, talent acquisition, and onboarding.
• Addresses and resolves a wide variety of day-to-day operational issues, often requiring direct intervention with high-ranking personnel across County offices to resolve matters related to employee rights, salary adjustments, return to work, and job placement.
• Evaluates policies and procedures, recommending improvements to ensure compliance with regulations and alignment with best practices.
• Coordinates hiring, wage, and salary administration, and position classification. Reviews and processes personnel actions for senior leadership approval.
• Works with senior leadership to establish goals and objectives, develop timelines, and respond to special needs and compliance requirements.
• Conducts research and analyzes HR trends using reports and metrics from the HRIS and talent management systems.
• Ensures bureau/department have the necessary resources to meet expectations and fulfill responsibilities.
• Monitors staffing and recruiting needs, implementing best practices for hiring and talent management that align with the County’s Employment Plan.
  
  

Required For All Jobs

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher and
• Five (5) years of human resources, labor relations or directly related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Business, Public Administration, Sociology, Political Science or Labor Relations or Juris Doctor (JD).
• Eight (8) years of human resources or labor relations experience.
• Six (6) years of prior management or supervisory experience.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of human resources administration and personnel management, particularly within the context of a large municipal governmental setting.
• Knowledge of federal, state and county laws, regulations and ordinances governing employment in the public sector and the relationship between employer and employee.
• Ability to articulate clearly and effectively the terms and conditions of employment in Cook County Government. Ability to interpret official policy relative to the above and explain it to others.
• Skill in the management of a large and highly specialized human resources staff; ability to coordinate diversified efforts related various HR functions.
• Ability to plan, organize and administer policy changes, programs and new initiatives relative to the areas of personnel management; skill in researching new and existing policies, trends and practices in the industry and formulating policy recommendations, reports and papers for senior leadership.
• Understanding of the budgetary aspects of organizing, developing, training, classifying and compensating the work force.
• Skill and judgment of a high order in handling confidential matters requiring executive decision making and the ability to recommend and provide input relative to changes in policy.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov for inquiries about this position.

Job Posting

Nov 14, 2025, 3:52:09 PM

Organization

Offices Under the President