Human Resources Director

Central Management Services (CMS) is the operational engine working behind the scenes to enable the State’s more than 80 agencies, boards, and commissions to deliver efficient, reliable services to all Illinois citizens. The Agency’s mission is to support the State by delivering innovative, responsive, and effective services that provide the best value for Illinois State government and the people it serves.

Are you a strategic Human Resources leader who thrives in complex environments, builds strong teams, and delivers exceptional service to employees and managers? The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) is seeking a Human Resources Director to lead all HR functions for an agency of more than 800 employees.

This senior leader will oversee a team of approximately 15 HR professionals across recruiting, classifications, hiring, transactions, benefits, employee experience, timekeeping, and workforce support to ensure high‐quality, timely, and service‐oriented support to employees, managers, and executives.

This role offers a unique opportunity to strengthen HR operations, modernize processes, and shape the employee experience across the agency. You will lead and develop the HR team, manage HR operations and compliance, partner with leadership to provide clear and practical HR guidance, enhance the employee experience, ensure high‐quality service delivery, and support talent acquisition, retention, and workforce planning efforts.

If you are a proven HR leader with experience in large, matrixed, or highly regulated environments—someone who offers solutions‐oriented guidance, drives process improvements, and is committed to inclusion, partnership, and public service—this role is for you. Join CMS and help shape a responsive, supportive, and mission‐driven HR organization. Your expertise can move public service forward.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Pension plan
• Paid time off

Responsibilities:

• Subject to management approval of the Chief Strategy Officer, serves as the Director of Central Management Services (CMS) Human Resources (HR), overseeing all CMS human resources functions (i.e. internal personnel).
• Performs special projects on various personnel issues for the Chief Strategy Officer, frequently of a highly sensitive and confidential nature.
• Develops strategic planning and evaluation criteria related to HR operations and executes the development and management of performance metrics related to HR operations.
• Serves as full line supervisor.
• Confers with the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) to administer the many automated aspects of State HR processes.

Requirements:

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college including coursework in business management, human resources, or a related field.
• Requires experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative Human Resources experience in a public or business organization.
• Prefers five (5) years of professional Human Resources Management experience, demonstrating increased leadership responsibilities over time.
• Prefers seven (7) years of professional Human Resources experience.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience in developing and implementing a successful recruitment program.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience utilizing a Human Capital Management (HCM) software system or equivalent.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience developing training programs, plans, or curricula.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience with Union workforces and implementing Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Prefers professional experience leading Organizational Change Management such as Toyota Production System, Six Sigma, Lean, Lean Six Sigma, ISO 9001, Malcolm Baldrige, or Total Quality Management.
• Prefers professional membership and/or involvement with a human resources professional organization such as PHR (Professional in Human Resources), SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources), SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional), or SHRM-SCP (SHRM Certified Professional).
• Prefers extensive knowledge of utilizing Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, and Outlook or comparable spreadsheet, word processing, database, and email software applications.

Plan to attend and meet face-to-face with hiring managers.

Candidates will be considered for this position whether or not you attend the job fair.

Pre-Register online at:
https://catalystcareergroup.com/event/rockford-job-fair-6-2026/

Rockford Job Fair
Thursday, June 25, 2026
10:00AM - 12:30PM
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Rockford
200 South Bell School Road
Rockford, IL 61108

All of the companies at our job fairs have open positions they are seeking to fill.

Tips for Success:

• Pre-register—Receive notifications of any updates or changes to the event, and receive information about upcoming events in your area.
• Dress professionally—First impressions go a long way.
• Bring multiple copies of your resume.
• Doors open at 10:00 AM and the Job Fair ends at 12:30 PM
• Bring a friend—All job seekers are welcome.
• Prepare a brief but effective “brag” to let the people you meet get to know you.
• Keep an open mind—Meet with as many of the companies as you can; you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Remember, the best way to be considered for a position is to meet the hiring managers in person. Plan to attend this event!
(Candidates will be considered for this position whether or not you attend the job fair.)

Pre-Register online at:
https://catalystcareergroup.com/event/rockford-job-fair-6-2026/