EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

• JobRequisition ID: 60082
• Opening Date: 11/02/2026
• Closing Date: 11/17/2026
• Agency: Human Rights Commission
• Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)
• Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
• Bilingual Option: None
• Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $150,000 - $170,000 annually
• Job Type: Salaried
• Category: Full Time
• Number of Vacancies: 1
• Bargaining Unit Code: None
• Merit Comp Code: Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code
• Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
• Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 1 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
• Headquarter Location: 160 N Lasalle St, Chicago, Illinois, 60601
• Work County: Cook
• Agency Contact: [email protected]
• A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

Position Overview

The Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC) is seeking a strategic, mission-driven Executive Director. In this critical leadership role, the Executive Director oversees the Commission’s operations, including administration, staffing, budgeting, and the implementation of rules and procedures. The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring efficient and fair appeals processes for civil rights complainants and respondents.

A core component of this role is ongoing, close collaboration with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) to ensure seamless transfer of cases, consistent interpretation of decisions, and unified progress toward a more equitable Illinois. This position serves as the primary operational leader of the Commission and is responsible for maintaining regular communication with the Commission Chair on key matters such as policy, legislation, staffing, and budget direction.

The Executive Director also represents the Commission publicly to advance the mission of civil rights in Illinois.

Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC) offers a robust benefit package including:

Monday-Friday schedule

Health, life, vision, and dental insurance

Paid Parental leave

Pension Plan

Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs

Employees earn (12) paid sick days annually

(10-25) paid vacation days (based on years of service)

Employees earn (3) paid personal days (pro-rated based on start date)

(13-14) paid state holidays annually

Work hours and schedule will be mutually agreed upon during the onboarding process.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Executive Director to the full Commission and Commission panels.
• Serves as full-line supervisor.
• Develops and maintains a viable information system for tracking Commission decisions and staff workloads.
• Consults on legislation consistent with Commission goals.
• Meets and confers with staff of the Director of the Department of Human Rights to provide efficient flow of cases from the Department to the Commission.
• Represents the Commission with various human rights organizations.
• Develops and executes the internal education system for the Commission and professional staff focusing on the latest developments in the field of civil rights laws, rules, legal decisions, administrative rulings, and agency practices.
• Publishes and edits the bi-monthly newsletter of the Commission.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to four(4) years of college with coursework in business or public administration.
• Requires six (6) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or private organization.
• Requires familiarity with the operations and programs of the Human Rights Commission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers possession of a current and valid Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
• Conditions of Employment
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• Requires an appropriate and valid driver's license and the ability to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC) is responsible for adjudicating civil rights complaints under the Illinois Human Rights Act. HRC is committed to fair, timely, and professional resolution of cases that protect individuals from discrimination in Illinois.

Revolving Door

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

[email protected]

[email protected]