Staffing Manager

About the role

The Staffing Manager, reporting to the Executive Director of Nutrition Support Services (NSS), leads the recruitment and staffing initiatives for 2,200 school-based lunchroom positions across 600+ sites. This role drives organizational results by aligning workforce planning with operational goals, ensuring schools are staffed with high-performing, well-trained employees. Responsibilities include employee relations, talent development, retention, and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day staffing operations for NSS employees.
• Hire, train, develop, monitor, and evaluate performance of the staffing team, including direct reports.
• Resolve routine employee matters, including disciplinary action for union employees.
• Address performance and employee relations issues through coaching, discipline, and termination processes.
• Participate in discipline and grievance hearings as necessary.
• Report key performance metrics and maintain understanding of their financial implications; communicate trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Review employee data and relations matters to identify trends; implement strategies to foster positive employee relations.
• Manage all internal and external recruitment activities, including the internal bid process, student internship program, and new employee orientation.
• Partner with CPS Payroll and Staffing Services to ensure accurate and timely updates to employee status and rate changes.
• Support Labor Relations in managing union contracts to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop and execute a strategic staffing plan to meet the demands of organizational growth.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with school leaders and vendor partners to fulfill staffing needs and business goals.
• Liaise with the CPS Central Office Talent Management team to provide input on strategic plans, policies, and practices for recruitment, training, and coaching of Nutrition Support staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (required).
• HR certifications (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) preferred.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in an HR Generalist role, including workforce planning, staffing, employee relations, performance management, coaching, team-building, and training.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Previous experience working in a union environment preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of best practices in human resources, including federal and state employment, benefits, and labor laws.
• Strong HR technology skills; Taleo and PeopleSoft preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Google Suite.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen and data-driven mindset; ability to influence decisions and lead data utilization discussions.
• Ability to identify process improvements and make sound recommendations.

Benefits

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive health coverage options for employees and eligible dependents, including medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, behavioral health, and EAP.
• Employee Wellness Program.

Financial Security

• Basic Life Insurance.
• Life and Disability Insurance.
• Pension Plans.
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b)).
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
• Spot Pet Insurance.

Work-Life Balance

• Paid Leave.
• Sick Leave.
• Vacation Days.
• Parental Leaves.
• Short-Term Disability.
• Religious Holidays.

Refer to the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for full details.

Pay

Estimated annual salary range: $76,000.00.

Schedule

Full-time, exempt position. Overtime status: exempt.

Conditions of Employment

• Employees must establish and maintain Chicago residency within six months of hire and throughout employment (does not apply to temporary/part-time positions).
• All employees must be residents of Illinois.

Primary location: Central-42 West Madison Street (Nutrition Support Services). Non-Union position, job grade S08.