Human Resources Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Human Resources Director
Curioso, LLC - Chicago, IL

Curioso is a collective of 50+ architects, interior designers, and artists working together to design meaningful experiences. Projects for our clients represent a range of industries and interests including hotel & resort, restaurant, multifamily, wellness, workplace and brand design. We are a diverse, fast-paced and highly creative design studio driven by curiosity, empathy, and an entrepreneurial spirit. In all we do, we support our clients in keeping People at the forefront with outstanding design.

Curioso’s dynamic, multicultural design studios are located in Chicago, Illinois and Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. The Human Resources Director position will work in-person from our Chicago studio with some travel to Mérida, Mexico.

Visit http://www.Curioso.us to learn more about us!

Role Overview

The Human Resources Director at Curioso will be responsible for leading the day-to-day Human Resources function, including compensation, recruiting and hiring, benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, and retention, while also helping shape the strategic direction of company culture and workforce planning. To date, these responsibilities have been managed across multiple leaders. In this role, you will bring these people-centered functions together under clear ownership—building the framework where needed, strengthening existing practices, and creating consistent processes that support employees, leaders and the continued growth of the organization. Working in close partnership with Leadership, the Human Resources Director will translate people strategy into practical programs, processes, and communication throughout the organization.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, hands-on HR leader who combines sound judgment with the ability to build structure in a highly creative, entrepreneurial environment. You will be comfortable moving between strategy and execution, navigating complex people matters, establishing clear and consistent practices, and building trusted relationships across the organization. You will share Curioso’s commitment to its people while understanding that a strong people function is essential to the studio’s continued growth, organizational health, and financial success.

Operational Responsibilities

• Evaluate Curioso’s human resources information system (HRIS) needs and lead the selection and implementation of an appropriate solution.
• Partner with Leadership to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive and competitive compensation framework.
• Own the full employee cycle, including: recruiting, selection, onboarding, development, retention, and offboarding.
• Serve as a trusted and confidential advisor to employees and leaders on employee relations, performance concerns, workplace issues, and other complex people matters.
• Develop and implement a clear, consistent performance management framework, including goal-setting, feedback, performance reviews, and accountability.
• Administer employee benefits and serve as the primary point of contact for benefit programs and related employee questions.
• Manage relationships with external partners supporting HR and people operations in both the United States and Mexico.
• Establish clear processes for employees to raise concerns, request support, and escalate time-sensitive people matters that will ensure appropriate and timely follow through.
• Maintain accurate employee records, policies, job descriptions, and HR documentation which will ensure consistency and compliance with applicable employment requirements.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Develop and lead Curioso’s people strategy: aligning talent, culture, organizational capability, and workforce priorities with the firm’s business goals and continued growth.
• Partner with Leadership to assess organizational and workforce needs and identify opportunities to strengthen employee engagement, retention, and the overall employee experience.
• Lead talent development, workforce planning, and succession planning to build strong organizational capability, strengthen leadership capacity, and ensure the right talent is in place to support current and future business needs.
• Use People-related data and trends to identify organizational risks, inform workforce decisions, and recommend proactive solutions to Leadership.
• Advise Leadership on organizational structure, role clarity, talent needs, and people implications concerning key business decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field required. SHRM-SCP, SPHR or equivalent certification preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive human resources experience preferred, including significant responsibility for leading HR operations and advising senior leadership.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred to effectively support employees and studio operations in the United States and Mexico.
• Demonstrated experience coaching employees, managers, and senior leaders through complex employee relations and performance matters.
• Experience developing and implementing HR programs, systems, policies, and practices within a growing organization.
• Strong knowledge of employment practices and HR compliance. Experience supporting employees across the United States and Mexico strongly preferred.

Leadership Attributes

• Demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and the highest standards of confidentiality and professional ethics.
• Able to work independently, exercise appropriate authority, and collaborate effectively across a multicultural, multi-location organization.
• Brings a practical, hands-on approach while maintaining a broader strategic perspective.
• Communicates clearly and directly and is comfortable navigating complexity, ambiguity, and difficult conversations.
• Builds trust across all levels of the organization while maintaining appropriate objectivity and professional boundaries.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, highly creative environment and can introduce structure and consistency without compromising the culture that makes Curioso distinctive.
• HR leadership experience with architects, designers, creatives, or professional services firm is strongly preferred.

Salary range: $115,000 - $125,000 a year

Benefits: Curioso offers a market-competitive benefits package that includes: eligibility for medical, dental, and vision health care benefits; paid time off and holidays, flexible schedule, retirement and 401(k) plan.

Pay: $115,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person