Human Resources Business Partner

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students.  To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history.  Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history.  To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Date:  Apr 14, 2026
Location: 

Springfield, IL, US, 62702

Job Requisition ID:  55314

Job Requisition ID: 55314 
Opening Date: 04/14/2026
Agency:Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois
Salary: $106,139 - $165,577
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Merit Comp Code: Agency Excluded from Collective Bargaining Coverage

Please follow the directions below when applying for this position.

**DO NOT CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON**

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION PLEASE VISIT THE TRS WEBSITE:

Careers | Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois

The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) is one of the largest public pension systems in the United States. We provide retirement, disability and survivor benefits to teachers, administrators and other public-school personnel employed outside the city of Chicago.

TRS serves over 456,000 members and manages a multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio for the exclusive benefit of the membership.

TRS is an agency of the State of Illinois governed by a Board of Trustees. Full-and part-time employees are eligible for the State of Illinois comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental and vision coverage. All employees hired after August 17, 2001 participate in the TRS retirement pension plan. Employees also have the option to contribute to additional State of Illinois deferred compensation plans. The TRS pension plan is a participating reciprocal system under the Illinois Pension Code Retirement Systems Reciprocal Act.

Learn more about careers at TRS: Careers | Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois

 

Excited to grow your career?

We value our talented employees and are committed to supporting their professional growth.  If you believe the open position is a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply!

Mission Statement

Delivering expert pension service to Illinois public Educators as they earn their promised retirement security.
 

The Investments Team

The Investments team at TRS plays a critical role in advancing the System's mission by managing and monitoring more than $83.7 billion in assets in a highly specialized, performance-driven environment.
 
Comprised of more than 30 investment professionals and continuing to grow, the team is responsible for evaluating and selecting external investment managers across the portfolio.  Investments span a broad range of strategies, including public equities, fixed income, real assets, hedge funds, and private markets.  The team's investment process is rigorous and highly analytical, grounded in deep qualitative and quantitative due diligence.  Investment professionals engage directly with existing and prospective managers to assess performance, risk, and portfolio fit.  The Investments team operates with high expectations for talent, accountability, and collaboration, where the strength of the team directly drives long-term outcomes for the System and its members.

Why This Role Matters

The HR Business Partner - Investments plays a critical and highly visible role in shaping the team behind the performance.  This position ensures the Investments function is positioned to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent, bringing forward the talent strategies, leadership support, and organizational effectiveness needed to compete for the best in the market and sustain a best-in-class investment platform.  The HR Business Partner supporting Investments will help shape high-performing teams, navigate complex compensation and retention strategies, and drive organizational effectiveness within a specialized function.  This role offers a rare combination of hands-on partnership, strategic impact, and the opportunity to support one of the most critical functions within TRS.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the HRBP Supervisor, this position serves as a strategic advisor to investment leadership, aligning human capital strategies with the operational and long-term objectives of the investment department. The role is responsible for driving talent strategies that support the attraction, development, and retention of highly specialized investment professionals within a competitive market.
 
The HRBP – Investments provides consultative expertise in workforce planning, organizational design, and performance management, while assisting in the development and administration of compensation strategies that balance market competitiveness, internal equity, and public sector accountability. This position partners closely with leadership to assess organizational effectiveness, mitigate talent-related risks, and support succession planning for critical roles.
 
A strong understanding of investment management organizations and/or asset allocators and investment functions is essential to provide informed guidance and advance the performance and sustainability of the investment department.
 
 

Essential Functions

  •    Partner with investment leadership and business units to develop and implement HR strategies that support investment performance and long-term system goals.
  •    Provide consultative support on organizational design, workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development specific to investment functions.
  •    Advise on and administer compensation strategies aligned with investment benchmarks, ensuring market competitiveness, and internal equity.
  •    Collaborate with Talent Acquisition to attract and retain specialized investment talent in a competitive labor market.
  •    Provide oversight and guidance on onboarding and integration strategies for highly specialized investment hires to accelerate time-to-productivity.
  •    Support performance management processes, including goal setting, evaluations, and development planning, tailored to investment team objectives.
  •    Serve as a trusted advisor by supporting leadership in navigating complex employee relations matters that may have reputational, legal, or fiduciary implications.
  •    Develop and monitor retention strategies for critical investment talent, including career pathing and succession pipelines.

Essential Functions (Continued)

  • Partner with Learning & Development to design programs that enhance investment team capabilities and leadership effectiveness.
  • Collaborates with investment leadership to support learning and development needs through TRS University, helping to coordinate the delivery of targeted programs that enhance        technical expertise, leadership capability, and overall workforce effectiveness within the investment function.
  • Analyze workforce data and trends to inform decision-making and recommend solutions to leadership.
  • Support change management efforts related to shifts in investment strategy, departmental restructuring, or market-driven adjustments.
  • Facilitate workforce and organizational effectiveness assessments to ensure optimal team structure and alignment with investment strategy.
  • Maintain awareness of industry trends in institutional investing and human capital practices to proactively advise leadership.
  • Assists HR Operations Supervisor on initiatives/projects
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Strong strategic consulting and business partnering skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership.
  • Advanced analytical skills, including the ability to interpret workforce data, evaluate highly specialized positions for talent acquisition, compensation data, and market trends to inform decisions.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex HR concepts into clear, actionable guidance that align with evolving investment priorities and market conditions.
  • Effective problem-solving and critical thinking skills in complex, high-impact situations.
  • Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish trust across diverse stakeholder groups.
  • Knowledge of investment functions.
  • Knowledge of workforce planning, organizational design, and talent management strategies.
  • Ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics and provide sound, unbiased recommendations.
  • Ability to think strategically while executing operationally in a fast-paced, specialized environment.
  • Ability to assess organizational risk and proactively develop mitigation strategies related to talent.

Minimum Requirements

 

  •    Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
  •    5 years of progressive HR experience, including experience as an HR Business Partner or strategic HR advisor.
  •    Experience supporting investment, finance, or highly specialized technical teams strongly preferred.
  •    PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred

Work Hours:  8:30 - 4:30 M-F 
Headquarter Location: 2815 W. Washington St., Springfield, IL 62702-3397 
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact:  Christina Lonbom 
Email: clonbom@trsil.org
Phone #: 217-814-2226
Posting Group: Office & Administrative Support

TRS is a non-code state agency.

**APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS**

Candidates must submit applications through the TRS Careers Website:

Careers | Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Illinois

 

Please follow all instructions and include all required documents. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of a Resume or CV.

TRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or completing any pre-employment testing, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at (217) 814-2111, or HRServices@trsil.org. Hiring decisions are not based on or affected by political factors, including political sponsorship, affiliation, or support.

 


Nearest Major Market: Springfield