Human Resources Director - Make-A-Wish® Illinois

WHO WE ARE

At Make-A-Wish Illinois®, we are more than a great place to work:  our work is life-changing.  Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.  Nearly 40 years ago, the inspiration for Make-A-Wish began with one little boy’s with to be a police officer.  Today, together with our volunteers, donors, staff and supporters, Make-A-Wish Illinois has granted more than 17,00 life-changing wishes and transformed countless lives.  We typically serve over 700 children per year with the goal to double our impact across our communicates.  The diversity of our team of staff and volunteers, and our board, are of critical importance for us as it positions us to reach every child eligible for a wish with an equitable, high quality and impactful wish experience.

The Illinois chapter of Make-A-Wish is one of the largest chapters in the Make-A-Wish enterprise.  It has a reputation for being an innovator and often is a collaborator on national opportunities, co-creating solutions for all chapters to adopt.

THE ROLE

The Human Resources Director at Make-A-Wish Illinois is a dynamic leader responsible for overseeing and executing our people and culture strategy to support the mission of granting life-changing wishes. This is a hands-on HR Director role, and the ideal candidate will possess a broad range of fundamental knowledge & direct experience across an array of HR functions. This role provides strategic oversight and operational leadership for the organization’s HR functions, covering our one workforce model including full-time employees, volunteers, & interns. The Director leads a team with three other team members, including the Learning & Engagement Manager, Talent Coordinator - Volunteer & Intern Programs, and Talent & Office Operations Coordinator. Together, this team ensures an inclusive, mission-driven, and impactful workplace culture.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Strategic Leadership & People Strategy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive people strategy that aligns with organizational goals, focusing on engagement, learning & development, employee relations, recruitment, and culture.
• Collaborate with the executive team to promote a culture of inclusivity, respect, and innovation across the organization, for all employees, volunteers, and interns.
• Oversee and continuously improve processes and policies, ensuring compliance with labor laws, industry best practices, and Make-A-Wish values.
• Advise leadership on workforce planning, succession planning, and organizational design, providing strategic HR insights and recommendations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Talent team, providing guidance on day-to-day HR functions and career development.

Employee Relations & Culture

• Act as a trusted advisor for employee relations, providing guidance on performance management, conflict resolution, and coaching.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and engagement through regular staff surveys, feedback loops, and targeted initiatives.
• Implement diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, promoting an environment that celebrates diversity and ensures a welcoming space for everyone.

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Direct and oversee recruitment strategies, ensuring a proactive and inclusive approach to attracting top talent across full-time, volunteer, and intern programs.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to create clear, inclusive job descriptions and ensure an efficient hiring process.
• Develop onboarding programs for new employees, volunteers, and interns, focusing on a smooth transition into the organization and alignment with our mission.

Learning & Development

• Lead the design and delivery of a robust learning and development strategy, providing growth opportunities for staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Oversee the development of training programs and resources that support both professional and personal growth, in partnership with the Learning & Engagement Manager.
• Evaluate the impact of development programs and adjust offerings to ensure alignment with organizational needs and individual goals.

Benefits Administration & Compliance

• Oversee the administration of employee benefits programs, ensuring competitiveness and alignment with our values.
• Partner with the Finance team to manage HR budgets and analyze compensation structures.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, as well as internal policies, updating HR practices as needed.

Volunteer & Intern Programs

• Provide strategic oversight of volunteer and intern programs, fostering engagement and meaningful experiences that support our mission.
• Ensure effective recruitment, onboarding, and training for volunteers and interns, developing initiatives to maintain high satisfaction and retention.
• Support the Talent Coordinator in managing and improving the overall volunteer and intern experience.

Requirements

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, organizational development, business administration, or a related field.
• SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification preferred.

Experience & Skills:

•  Minimum of 8 years of HR experience with at least 5 years in a HR leadership role, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
• Experience managing programs for volunteers and/or interns is highly desirable.
• Proven expertise in employee relations, talent acquisition, learning and development, benefits administration, and compliance.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practices, labor laws, and DEI strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive change, cultivate a positive culture, and influence at all levels of an organization.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and relevant software.

Additional Attributes:

• Ability to focus on the tasks and details relevant to the position and the organization, while also switching quickly between functions
• Ability to exercise excellent independent judgment and take ownership of decisions.
• Ability to think on a broad, systems-level relative to the scope of the position.
• Ability to work independently and self-manage to achieve goals while being a strong team player.
• Ability to organize, meet deadlines, and delegate appropriately.
• Ability to cope with and embrace change, risk, and uncertainty.
• Ability to develop strong relationships within a collaborative setting that values diverse opinions; enthusiasm for helping drive change as MAWI becomes a more data-driven organization.

Benefits

WHAT WE OFFER

Hiring Range: $90,000 - $105,000

Work Schedule & Location:

Hybrid Schedule – Tuesday and Thursday in-person at the corporate office (200 W. Monroe, Suite 1801, Chicago, IL 60606) and M/W/F are remote. Business needs may dictate occasional need to adjust the hybrid schedule and team member is expected to be able to accommodate the organization’s physical presence needs as part of their hybrid work agreement.

Time Off:

• 15 PTO days
• 8 Sick Days
• 8 Paid Holidays + 3 Floating Holidays
• Last Week of Year Off (12/24 – 1/1)
• 1 Employee Appreciation Day per year
• 4 Professional Development Days for continuous learning and growth
• 1 Make-A-Wish Volunteer Day per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefit package:  Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical, Vision, Dental, and Wellness
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Options
• Medical Leave Bank
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, and AD&D Insurance
• Additional Insurance Plans:  Accident and Pet Insurance through SPOT Pet
• Additional Benefits:  Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Commuter Benefits
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with 25% match on 1st 6% of contributions
• Eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Milestone Benefit Program
• Discounts and special offers for theme parks, events, hotels, concerts, and movie tickets

HOW TO APPLY

We know interviewing can be challenging, so our goal is to make it as positive of an experience as we can, which includes keeping you informed across the process.

Here’s what you can expect if invited to participate in the interview process:

1)     30-minute Human Resources video screen (typically less than 30-minutes to complete)

2)     60-minute virtual Hiring Manager interview

3)     45-minute onsite/in-person panel interview with team members

4)     90-minute onsite/in-person panel interview with leadership

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Make-A-Wish Illinois is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.