Overview
Head of People & Culture Jobs in Greater Chicago Area at Bright Star Community Outreach
Title: Head of People & Culture
Company: Bright Star Community Outreach
Location: Greater Chicago Area
Position Title: Head of People & Culture
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time
Reports To: Caryl West & LaKreshia Kindred
Location: 4444 S. Evans, Chicago, IL 60653 (This is not a remote position)
Company Overview
Over the course of our proud sixteen-year history, Bright Star Community Outreach has made significant contributions to the renewal of Chicago’s most vulnerable communities as a 501C3 nonprofit organization. Driven by our hope for change in this city and the families that call it home, Bright Star’s presence has been marked by effective programming, social development, and advocacy; particularly in the greater Bronzeville community of Chicago’s south side.
Led by founder and CEO, Pastor Chris Harris, Sr., who grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood where we are currently located, our strategy includes developing impactful community development initiatives aimed at facing our largest societal challenges: violence in our communities, poor economic opportunities, inadequate mental health services, affordable housing and education. These efforts are designed to strengthen local families and communities, as well as leverage our key partnerships with organizations and businesses that share our passion for seeing renewal in Chicago.
Position Overview
Bright Star Community Outreach & Bright Star Community Development Corporation is seeking an energetic, creative, and collaborative Head of People & Culture with exceptional judgment, interpersonal skills, and a desire to develop and grow a talented team, from attracting the best applicants to engaging employee advancement. The role is divided into four distinct yet complementary areas of responsibility:
- Attract and Recruit Diverse Candidates
- Lead Culture-Building
- Develop Talent and Drive Performance
- Administer Benefits/Policies/Procedures and Ensure Compliance
Scope of Responsibilities
- Build on BSCO’s and BSCDC’s current recruitment and hiring processes to attract quality diverse employees at every level.
- Define, create, and execute the communications strategy and branding for recruitment and talent acquisition, providing an exciting and accurate preview to candidates who are considering working for our entities.
- Build and maintain processes and systems to track and communicate with candidates.
- Ensure the effective onboarding of BSC & BSCDC Employees.
- Implement and continually improve BSCO’s and BSCDC’s onboarding and new hire training process, making sure that employees feel welcomed, informed about their benefits, and prepared to excel in their roles.
- Help define and create strategies for BSCO’s and BSCDC’s organizational culture goals, working to make BSCO and BSCDC an employer of choice.
- Lead the DEI and Racial Equity initiatives in alignment with department goals, ensuring that BSCO and BSCDC is an equitable and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and can thrive through training, coaching, and overall strategy and practice.
- Continue to build and evolve BSCO’s and BSCDC’s talent development processes including organizational core competencies, goal setting, performance metrics, feedback, coaching, and semi-annual reviews.
- Lead all aspects of HR operations including professional development for individuals and teams, succession planning, employee relations, recruitment and retention, training, HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration.
- Manage BSCO’s and BSCDC’s compliance with all labor and employment laws keeping current on changes in local, state, and federal law.
- Ensure that personnel policies are aligned with company values and applied consistently, accurately, and meet BSCO’s and BSCDC’s standards, along with all regulatory agencies and applicable state and federal requirements.
- Support and train supervisors in the consistent application of personnel policies and applicable legal requirements.
- Perform a monthly review of the payroll register with the Finance team.
- Meet regularly with employees in supervisory meetings; timely completion of mid-year and annual performance appraisals; timely review and approval of semi-monthly timecards.
- Serve as an internal consultant to manage/mediate conflict.
- Drive operational efficiencies of the open enrollment, including, but not limited to, evaluation, in conjunction with an insurance broker.
- Perform other duties as assigned; committed to equitable and inclusive practices in all phases of your work.
Preferred Background and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field required
- A minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in human resources management required
- Minimum of 3-5 years supervisory experience required
- Familiarity with HRIS systems and payroll management; Paychex and Paylocity preferred.
- Fluent in change management strategies and best practice; proven success in implementing change across an organization
- Experienced coaching employees and management through complex employee relations issues and making recommendations that are consistent with BSCO’s values, policies and procedures, and applicable Illinois and Federal labor statutes.
- Demonstrated knowledge of human resource best practices in recruiting, benefits administration, employee relations, payroll, and policy development, preferably in a non-profit
Skills and Attributes
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills– A person who takes pride and pleasure in developing talent and creating engaging workplace cultures and environments for staff at all levels and from varied backgrounds; exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Trustworthy: Experience with managing sensitive situations and information utilizing discretion, professionalism, and excellent judgment.
- Collaborative: Enjoys gathering stakeholder input to create innovative shared solutions that meet the needs of the organization.
- Detail-Oriented and Compliance-Minded: Ensuring that the work you produce is delivered with excellence from a legal and ethical perspective.
- Change Management– Developing a systematic approach to planning, implementing, and guiding organizational change processes. Managing the people and the process to ensure that the transition from current state to desired future state is executed effectively. Being engaged and willing to assume responsibility for the change as needed.
Working Conditions
- Combination of office, community-based, and client-visit work environments.
- Frequent local travel required.
- Evening and occasional weekend hours may be required to support program needs and community engagement activities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of professionalism and client-centered service.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Competitive salary
- Life and disability insurance
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Paid holidays
- Access to industry conferences or workshops
- Company-sponsored social events or retreats
- Volunteer days or community engagement opportunities
Salary: $90,000-$100,000
For more information or to apply, please contact LaKreshia Kindred via email: [email protected]
