CMS HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR (SPSA, Opt. 1)

Position Summary

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.

Position Essential Functions

• 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.
• 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 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• 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.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires the ability to use agency technology/equipment (i.e., mobile phone, laptop, etc.) properly in accordance with information security awareness policies and confidentiality guidelines.
• 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.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

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

Central Management Services (CMS) is the State of Illinois’ central operational support agency, the team that keeps government running smoothly behind the scenes. We provide the essential services that enable more than 80 agencies, boards, and commissions to serve the people of Illinois effectively. As the backbone of state operations, CMS delivers high‑quality, reliable, and forward‑thinking services that help government programs work efficiently and meet the needs of residents statewide.

Our vision is to be the trusted partner dedicated to the success of the State of Illinois through service, optimization, and inclusion. Our mission is to be the accessible agency that delivers essential, effective, and efficient services to State agencies and the people of Illinois. Our core values are: Trusted, Strategic, Effective, Innovative, Responsive, and Inclusive. Through strategic leadership CMS plays a vital role in strengthening the effectiveness of Illinois State government.

CMS provides a broad portfolio of statewide services through specialized bureaus such as: Administrative Hearings • African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission • Statewide Benefits • Communication and Information • Diversity and Inclusion • Fleet Administration • Labor Relations • Operational Excellence • Statewide Personnel • Property Management • Strategic Sourcing • Surplus Equipment Control. 

CMS also operates internal service bureaus that support our agency’s own effectiveness and efficiency, including: Internal Audit • Finance and Management • Government Affairs • Human Resources • Legal Services • Strategic Transformation.

Professionals who join CMS become part of a mission‑driven organization committed to continuous improvement and public service excellence. CMS offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful statewide initiatives, collaborate with skilled and talented colleagues, shape strategic improvements across Illinois government, and support the operational foundation that allows state agencies to better serve the residents of Illinois. CMS is a place for people who want to their work to matter; where innovation, service, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.

State of Illinois Benefits

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
• 3 paid personal business days per year.
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx