In Human Rights Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

• Are curious, proactive, and solutions oriented.
• Build trust and relationships quickly and demonstrate strong judgment, maturity, professionalism, empathy, and discretion.
• Care deeply about the employee experience across roles, generational differences, and office locations.
• Enjoy moving between strategic thinking and hands-on day-to-day implementation, translating big picture strategy into practical systems and solutions.
• Are excited by the challenge of supporting some of the brightest legal minds in the country.
• Are passionate about supporting an organization whose litigation and advocacy work has a meaningful impact for clients and makes a real-world change across the country.

What You’ll Do:

Steward Employee Relations & Organizational Culture

• Provide HR thought partnership and subject matter expertise to organizational leaders and managers, in the areas of employee relations, training and development, recruitment/hiring/onboarding, performance management, total rewards, and other HR areas;
• Act as the main HR contact for all employees; proactively engaging employees to maintain open communication and keep staff informed on benefit resources, organizational resources, training, and other items relevant to employee relations and fostering an inclusive organizational culture;
• Partner with People Managers to resolve complex employee relations issues; where applicable, conduct investigations;
• Work with outside employment counsel on escalated or complex legal issues;
• In partnership with the Communications team, develop, oversee, support, and distribute internal staff communications.

Workforce Planning

• Collaborate with others to assess needs and develop staffing plans;
• Provide input on staffing, including restructurings/reorganizations, staffing for new projects, and succession planning;
• Maintain and improve HR infrastructure to support stability, growth, and multi-state operations;
• Own the Job Descriptions library, ensure the integrity and relevance of job descriptions.

Compliance & Policies

• Monitor policies and procedures for compliance with FLSA, DOL, ERISA, and other federal, state, and municipal requirements;

HRIS Administration

• Manage MJC’s use of human resources information systems (HRIS); track and apply relevant organizational/human resources metrics;
• Contribute HR information, analysis, and recommendations to organizational planning;
• Manage HRIS data at super-user/administrator level.

Recruiting & Talent Management

Compensation & Benefits

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee benefits, including education, enrollment, and ongoing support.
• Work closely with brokers and vendors on plan administration and escalated employee issues;
• Lead the annual benefit review, analyze costs, make recommendations to facilitate decision making by leadership;
• Develop and maintain an equitable and transparent compensation strategy and structure.

Training and Development

• Monitor and implement state and municipality-mandated employer and manager training;
• Identify and oversee outside vendors and consultants.

Qualifications

Education:

Skills and Experience:

• Experience managing the HR function for a multi-state organization;

Technology:

License and Certifications: SHRM-SCP or HRCI SPHR strongly preferred

Travel: Moderate domestic travel for organizational meetings, and occasional travel to state offices as needed.

Location: MJC operates on a hybrid schedule and requires some days in the office each week. The Human Resources Director must reside within commuting distance to MJC’s Chicago office.

To Apply:

Please submit the following:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted through July 31, 2026

The criminal legal system disproportionately harms people of color, people from low-income communities, people who were formerly incarcerated, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We strongly encourage people 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, co-workers, and community partners who come from different backgrounds and experiences.

The starting salary range for this position is $130,000 – $155,000 and is based on a variety of factors, including years of previous/applicable experience and MJC's commitment to ensuring pay equity within the organization. MJC provides an excellent benefits package that includes employer-sponsored health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, EAP, FSA plans, 401K, and a generous paid-time-off policy. Learn more about our benefits at macarthurjustice.org/benefits/

MJC is a PSLF-eligible employer. For more information, visit: studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service#qualifying-employment