Associate Director, Human Resources - OVCR

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is one of the nation's leading public research universities, home to a thriving research enterprise that brings together faculty, staff, and students to advance discovery, improve health, and create solutions for local and global challenges.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) is seeking an experienced Associate Director of Human Resources to lead the human resources operations that support its research centers, core facilities and administrative departments. This role serves as the primary operational HR leader for OVCR, overseeing the delivery of human resources services while partnering with research leadership to recruit, develop and retain the talented professionals who power UIC's research mission.

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources, the Associate Director manages the daily administration of HR functions across OVCR, supervises HR staff, ensures compliance with university policies and employment regulations and provides expert guidance to managers throughout the employee lifecycle.

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.

Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $100,000 - $125,000. The final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

Key Responsibilities

As Associate Director, you will:

• Lead the daily operations of Human Resources for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, ensuring efficient, responsive and high-quality HR services across OVCR.
• Supervise and develop HR staff responsible for HR administration.
• Manage all phases of the employment lifecycle, including recruitment, hiring, faculty administrative appointments, position changes, promotions, transfers and separations.
• Partner with research leaders and managers to develop position descriptions, evaluate staffing needs and coordinate recruitment strategies for specialized research and administrative positions.
• Oversee recruitment efforts for critical research positions, ensuring outstanding candidate experience from recruitment through onboarding.
• Advise supervisors and managers on performance management, employee relations, policy interpretation, organizational issues and workforce planning.
• Develop and implement HR procedures that improve operational effectiveness and support the evolving needs of OVCR.
• Collaborate with research center administrators and operational leaders on HR-related matters that support the day-to-day administration of research programs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, university policies, Civil Service rules and regulatory requirements in all employment activities.
• Support employee development initiatives, policy implementation and special projects that strengthen HR operations across OVCR.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
•  A minimum of three years of work experience in human resources in a scientific or academic research setting.
• HR experience supporting research and scientific professions in areas such as data analytics, research administration, clinical research, basic sciences and research centers.
• Demonstrated experience managing HR operations and supervising staff.
• Working knowledge of employment laws, HR policies and personnel administration in a complex organization.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and customer service skills with the ability to build strong working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and HR information systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a public higher education institution or academic medical center.
• Experience supporting faculty-adjacent research organizations, research centers, institutes or core facilities.
• Familiarity with workforce planning and talent acquisition for specialized scientific and research positions.

APPLICATION: To ensure fullest consideration, application materials must be received by Friday, August 7, 2026 by 5pm CST. Start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. Salary is commensurate with experience and education. All candidates must create a candidate profile through http://jobs.uic.edu and upload a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references by the close date.

Candidates must apply for this role by visiting the following link:

https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/20110?c=uic

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify. Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees.

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.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. https://jobs.uic.edu/request-and-accomodation/