Hybrid People & Recruitment Specialist presso United Way of Metro Chicago

POSITION:                      People & Recruitment Specialist

REPORTS TO:                Senior HR Director 

STATUS:                         Regular, Full-Time 

FLSA:                             Exempt

PAY GRADE:                  7

SALARY RANGE: $70, 000- $75,000

ABOUT UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO  

United Way of Metro Chicago brings together businesses, government, nonprofits, and community leaders to deliver funding, resources, and expertise to nonprofit organizations across greater Chicago. We are working alongside our partners at the neighborhood level to tackle the systemic issues that have challenged our region, creating communities where children and families can thrive. United, we’re building stronger neighborhoods for a stronger Chicago region.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The People & Recruitment Coordinator is a key member of the HR team responsible for managing full-cycle recruitment and supporting HR operations across the organization. This role works closely with department leaders to ensure timely hiring, smooth onboarding, and efficient people operations.

While this role is primarily focused on recruitment management—including job posting, candidate screening, interview coordination, and process support, it also involves administrative and operational HR support such as onboarding logistics, compliance documentation, and personnel recordkeeping. This People & Recruitment Coordinator plays a vital role in fostering a consistent and mission-aligned employee experience.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition 

• Manage hiring processes including partnering with hiring managers to develop and post job descriptions that align with organizational needs and values and customize recruitment strategies.
• Support the development of recruitment-related materials and templates.
• Manage applicant tracking system (ATS) and candidate pipelines across multiple roles.
• Screen resumes, conduct phone screens, and coordinate   interviews and candidate communications.
• Advise hiring managers and help with developing interview questions and scoring rubrics.
• Ensure a timely, fair, and equitable hiring process, including outreach to diverse candidate pools.
• Represent the organization at offer stage and partner with HR lead on all salary negotiations. 
• Track recruitment metrics and provide regular updates to leadership.

HR Operations & Finance Administrative Support 

• Coordinate onboarding logistics for new hires, including paperwork, background checks, and system access.
• Maintain accurate employee records in the HRIS and ensure compliance with internal policies and applicable laws.
• Support performance management cycle from beginning to end and be able to assist with navigating the ADP system.
• Support benefits administration and employee data updates in collaboration with HR and Finance teams.
• Support benefits open enrollment process and ancillary wellness programs.
• Assist with annual compliance tracking, audit prep, and policy implementation.
• Respond to employee inquiries and provide timely support for routine HR processes.
• Support Executive lead in Finance as assigned with calendar and expense management and administrative tasks.
• Assists in the development of meeting materials. Create agendas, take minutes and create other pertinent materials for department staff meetings as needed. 
• Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive lead.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Post-secondary degree or equivalent combination of employment and education experience.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in recruitment, talent acquisition, or HR support. 
• Exceptional administrative and organizational skills.   Ability to think creatively, strategically and execute ideas with limited direction.
• Meticulous attention to details and follow-through; ability and desire to deliver a high level of customer service when corresponding to various questions and requests from both internal and external stakeholders. Possess a collaborative spirit with the ability to manage and prioritize concurrent projects and day-to-day tasks in a nimble environment
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, meticulous attention to detail, highly organized, proactive thinker with the ability to deliver excellent customer service.   
• Demonstrate sound judgment, decision-making and proofreading skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be discreet and maintain highly confidential information.
• Strong technical skills and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience with ATS and/or HRIS systems.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all HR practices.
• Experienced and comfortable in virtual platforms, such as Zoom, Webex, Microsoft Teams, Skype, etc.
• Willingness to work both in-person and virtually according to organization’s current hybrid model.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with HR best practices, compliance and employment law. 
• Experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Experience working with boards or committees.
• Database, PowerPoint and whiteboarding software expertise.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Guided by a clear set of Core Values and Behaviors – Equity Minded, Passionate About the Work, A Good Teammate, and Curious, you will join an impressive group of individuals and contribute your diverse experiences, skills and characteristics to the organization.   
• Accepts guidance and responds well to feedback.
• Displays maturity, good judgment, enthusiasm, and personal motivation.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including anticipating workload and effectively cultivating and leveraging relationships with colleagues to meet deadlines. 
• Collaborative entrepreneurial spirit, ability to multi-task and prioritize concurrent projects and day-to-day tasks within a high production and fast-paced environment.

BENEFITS OFFERED

TO APPLY:

Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. Candidates must officially apply through our website with a cover letter and resume.

The responsibilities listed above are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work required in the role. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as assigned.

We believe the term “diversity” incorporates all the characteristics that make us both alike and unique: our backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, lifestyles, identities, gender, points of view, approaches to solving problems, ways of working, and views of personal and career success.

It is the intent of United Way to follow both the letter and the spirit of local, state, and federal laws governing Equal Opportunity Employment as those laws exist today and as they may change in the future.