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Job Classification: Full Time Salaried Staff
Grade Level: 11

JOB SUMMARY:

This Director leads both frontline HR partnership and organization-wide employee and labor relations. The role serves as the connective tissue between employee experience, policy enforcement, and operational execution. The Director balances responsiveness with strategic oversight—handling conflict, performance management, accommodations, and labor-type activities with a calm and decisive approach. They operate with a strong sense of judgment and are viewed as a trusted advisor across all levels of the organization. The Director, Employee Relations, HR supervises the Title IX Coordinator and the Deputy Title IX Coordinator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

● Serves as senior HR Business Partner to assigned business units—providing counsel on organizational design, performance, and talent strategy.

● Leads the development and implementation of employee relations practices, investigations, and conflict resolution protocols.

● Serves as the HR lead for labor-type activities, including management of grievance processes

● Guides and manages workplace accommodations, workplace transitions, and policy application with consistency and care

● Collaborates with Legal, HR, and business leadership on risk mitigation and employment practice compliance.

● Builds capability across the HRBP team by coaching discernment, judgment, and process fluency.

● Monitors ER trends and recommends practical interventions to improve employee experience and reduce risk.

● Develops and delivers training for leaders and employees on topics such as workplace civility, conflict resolution, performance coaching, and employment law.

● Serves on various planning and policy making committees; recommends and participates in the development of policies, procedures and guidelines.

● May serve as the HR Partner or back up for senior level searches.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

● 8–12 years in HR leadership roles with demonstrated strength in employee relations and HR business partnership

● Working knowledge of labor agreements, grievance handling, and accommodations

● Deep knowledge of employment law and HR best practices

● Experience supporting multiple business units or a matrixed organization is a plus.

● SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

● Demonstrates a comfort level between advising on day-to day matters and shaping systematic HR practices

● Sound balanced judgment and exhibition a cam presence, especially in high stakes or emotionally complex scenarios

● Excellent interpersonal, communication and conflict resolution skills

● Strong ability to build relationships across the organization

● Proactive an independent with the ability to take initiative

● Excellent leadership and management skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

● Office environment.

● Ability to work in a hybrid or virtual environment

EQUIPMENT USED TO PERFORM THE JOB (may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.)

● Standard office equipment

● Personal computer and printer

● MS Office, Google Workspace, virtual meetings platforms

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.