Senior HR Generalist - Grainger Engineering HR Shared Services

managing a variety of human resource activities, providing strategic guidance on a variety of human resource activities, and managing complex human resource related issues. Preference will be given to candidates with progressive university experience and demonstrated expertise in recruitment, employee relations, and HR consulting. One position will be tasked with supporting the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) in Chicago, with occasional travel required to support HR initiatives and employee engagement at the institute.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Responsible for independently coordinating search, hiring, and onboarding processes for roles at all levels in all employment categories applicable to the unit, including recruitment efforts.
• Communicate with applicants and new hires, facilitating interview, hiring, and onboarding processes including work authorization.
• Communicate and implement search procedures aligned with best practices and compliance needs, advising search committees and hiring managers.
• Contribute to overall hiring plans, providing guidance on search strategies aligned with talent needs (e.g., multi-level searches, search timing).
• Responsible for aligning recruitment and advertising efforts with unit and university branding efforts.

Appointments Management

• Responsible for managing employee appointments and records, and the interaction between multiple types of appointments to result in appropriate pay and employee status information.
• Enters routine and non-routine data, pulls routine and non-routine reports, developing new reports as needed. Ensures accuracy of input data, resolves any discrepancies, considers long-term data retention and data integrity.
• Participate in appropriate systems testing and provides feedback.

Labor & Employee Relations

• Provides guidance to supervisors on performance management practices and issues.
• Recommends interpretation of collective bargaining agreement language and corrective actions to performance issues under administrative supervision.
• May infrequently participate in contract negotiations.
• May serve as a resource to lower-level staff.
• Facilitates accommodations and conflict resolution efforts. Resolves supervisor/employee conflicts requiring intervention or consultation with either party.

Payroll & Time Reporting

• Process all payroll and timesheets. Process all required pay adjustments. Acts as a resource for other HR professionals on applicable processes and policies. Develop and implement related guidelines and process improvements.
• Informs and advises employees on complex regulations/policies relating to time reporting and payroll.

Leave Management

• Responsible for overall unit management of FMLA, PLFA, or other managed leave categories. Develop and implement related guidelines and process improvements.
• Counsel and resolve complex or sensitive issues related to leave. Informs and advises staff on complex regulations/policies relating to leave usage.

Job Classification & Analysis

• Oversees job classification and analysis processes for designated groups.
• Assists with the development of internal-to-unit classification strategies.
• Provides expertise on job analysis and evaluation.
• Identify out-of-scope duties and recommend title changes based on overall responsibilities, as appropriate.

Compensation & Benefits

• Advises on salary decisions and develops justifications.
• Reviews internal pay equity and recommends adjustments as needed.
• Recommends compensation amounts for temporary/additional pay circumstances.
• Informs employees of all available benefit offerings and uses expertise to direct employees to benefits of specific value to their individual circumstances.
• Acts as a resource to lower-level staff members on compensation and benefits topics.

HR Compliance & Policy

• Ensures adherence to HR policies and legal requirements through tracking, training, and internal reviews. May develop and implement internal compliance strategies.
• Provides expertise on HR policies and legal requirements.

HR Consulting

• Serve as a trusted HR consultant to leadership and staff members on complex personnel matters, organizational changes, and workforce planning initiatives.
• Contribute HR expertise to departmental and college-wide initiatives.
• Recommend actions based on data analysis and organizational needs.

Organizational Culture & Development

• Leads or supports the delivery, planning, and development of training, development, and culture initiatives. Contributes to future program planning based on the needs of the unit, in collaboration with training professionals and/or leadership staff.
• Advises employees and managers on professional development and career growth. Acts as a resource regarding employee learning and development.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Administration, Management, Organizational Administration, Public Administration, Labor Relations, Business Administration or a field closely related to the position.
• Three (3) years (36 months) of work experience performing professional-level human resources duties.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of work experience performing professional-level HR duties in a public university.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting HR policies and making subsequent recommendations.
• Experience coordinating talent acquisition, search, and recruitment efforts for professional staff.
• Experience improving practices, processes, and procedures by identifying opportunities and implementing effective changes.
• Practical experience with university business and HR policies, procedures, and application experience.
• Experience in labor and employee relations.
• Experience working on HR projects.
• Experience in training professional HR staff.
• Professional HR certification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational and time management skills to manage multiple, complex duties simultaneously.
• Ability to work autonomously in a dynamic, fast-paced, customer-focused team environment while contributing positively to the department.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others; strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel to the Discovery Partners Institute at our Chicago campus as needed to support operational and business needs.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

This is a full-time Civil Service Human Resource Associate position appointed on a 12-month service basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the closing date. The budgeted salary range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Hybrid work options may be available for these positions, with the ability to be on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy. One position will be expected to travel to the Discovery Partners Institute in Chicago, Illinois, on an as-needed basis. These positions are not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DEADLINE INFORMATION

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on October 6, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three references. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Stacie Mertes at smertes@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.