Human Resources Director

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 vol