Labor Relations Director Jobs in Illinois
Labor Relations Director jobs in Illinois are active and competitive, concentrated in manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, and public-sector agencies, with openings at every level from emerging labor relations managers through senior directors overseeing enterprise-wide bargaining strategy. Chicago is the dominant hiring hub, but Rockford, Springfield, and the greater Chicagoland suburbs generate steady demand, anchored by employers like United Airlines, Advocate Health Care, and the University of Illinois system. The most in-demand specialties are collective bargaining, grievance administration, and labor compliance for organized workforces. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Reuben G. Soderstrom Professorship (Full Professor), School of Labor and Employment Relations
School of Labor and Employment Relations
Job Summary
The School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, invites applications for the Reuben G. Soderstrom Professorship. This is a named professorship at the Full Professor (with tenure) level, within the Graduate Faculty. We also encourage applications from senior associate professors who are approaching promotion to full professor. We are interested in outstanding scholars who have expertise and academic abilities within the fields of U.S. and/or international labor relations. Candidates should have outstanding scholarly reputations through extensive publication at the highest level of research quality, with a distinguished record of research excellence in industrial relations, including a strong record of publication in leading refereed journals (e.g., British Journal of Industrial Relations, ILR Review, and Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society) and an established national and international reputation in the field. Preference will be given to candidates who have engaged workers and workers’ organizations through scholarship, teaching, and service, as well as those who have a body of work on workers in union settings. This is a full-time tenured position that combines research with teaching in the School’s academic programs in human resources and industrial relations. LER is a dynamic, multidisciplinary unit with a faculty united by a shared commitment to cutting-edge research on workforce issues. For more information, please see our website at http://www.ler.illinois.edu/.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting original, high quality scholarly research for publication in leading academic journals;
- Developing and teaching courses each semester in face-to-face or online formats, depending on the School’s instructional needs, in the School’s academic programs;
- Mentoring and supervising Ph.D. students, and
- Providing service to the School, the University, and the profession, as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate social science discipline or equivalent degree in a professional area of study (e.g., JD), and a record of research excellence in top refereed journals and teaching record commensurate with the rank of Full Professor. Advanced Associate Professors with these qualifications who are approaching promotion to Full Professor will also be considered.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic position (tenured faculty appointment: full professor), appointed on a 9-month basis. The expected start date is August 16, 2027. The salary range of faculty members currently holding equivalent positions is approximately between $200,000.00 - $250,000.00 (plus the Soderstrom professorship). Salary will be commensurate with experience and rank.
This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000.00 fee. Alternative visa categories may also be considered.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
To ensure full consideration, please submit the following:
- A cover letter summarizing your background, qualifications, and interest in the position,
- A curriculum vitae,
- A research statement describing your accomplishments, experience, interests, and future research plans,
- A teaching statement describing your experience and interests, with evidence of teaching effectiveness,
- A sample research paper,
- Contact information for three professional references (name, address, institution, email, and phone number). Reference letters will be requested at a later stage in the search.
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on October 25, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Interviews may be conducted before the closing date, although no hiring decisions will be made until after the search has closed. For further information about this specific position, please contact Professor Daniel Newman by email at d5n@illinois.edu or by phone at 217-244-2512. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
Additional Information
We offer an active and successful dual-career partner placement program and are strongly committed to promoting work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff (http://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/). To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community please visit these sites:
- Dual Career Program
- Benefits
- Living in Urbana-Champaign
Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana
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.
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.
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.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1038469
Job Category: Faculty
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
Reuben G. Soderstrom Professorship (Full Professor), School of Labor and Employment Relations
School of Labor and Employment Relations
Job Summary
The School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, invites applications for the Reuben G. Soderstrom Professorship. This is a named professorship at the Full Professor (with tenure) level, within the Graduate Faculty. We also encourage applications from senior associate professors who are approaching promotion to full professor. We are interested in outstanding scholars who have expertise and academic abilities within the fields of U.S. and/or international labor relations. Candidates should have outstanding scholarly reputations through extensive publication at the highest level of research quality, with a distinguished record of research excellence in industrial relations, including a strong record of publication in leading refereed journals (e.g., British Journal of Industrial Relations, ILR Review, and Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society) and an established national and international reputation in the field. Preference will be given to candidates who have engaged workers and workers’ organizations through scholarship, teaching, and service, as well as those who have a body of work on workers in union settings. This is a full-time tenured position that combines research with teaching in the School’s academic programs in human resources and industrial relations. LER is a dynamic, multidisciplinary unit with a faculty united by a shared commitment to cutting-edge research on workforce issues. For more information, please see our website at http://www.ler.illinois.edu/.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Conducting original, high quality scholarly research for publication in leading academic journals;
- Developing and teaching courses each semester in face-to-face or online formats, depending on the School’s instructional needs, in the School’s academic programs;
- Mentoring and supervising Ph.D. students, and
- Providing service to the School, the University, and the profession, as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate social science discipline or equivalent degree in a professional area of study (e.g., JD), and a record of research excellence in top refereed journals and teaching record commensurate with the rank of Full Professor. Advanced Associate Professors with these qualifications who are approaching promotion to Full Professor will also be considered.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic position (tenured faculty appointment: full professor), appointed on a 9-month basis. The expected start date is August 16, 2027. The salary range of faculty members currently holding equivalent positions is approximately between $200,000.00 - $250,000.00 (plus the Soderstrom professorship). Salary will be commensurate with experience and rank.
This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000.00 fee. Alternative visa categories may also be considered.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
To ensure full consideration, please submit the following:
- A cover letter summarizing your background, qualifications, and interest in the position,
- A curriculum vitae,
- A research statement describing your accomplishments, experience, interests, and future research plans,
- A teaching statement describing your experience and interests, with evidence of teaching effectiveness,
- A sample research paper,
- Contact information for three professional references (name, address, institution, email, and phone number). Reference letters will be requested at a later stage in the search.
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on October 25, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Interviews may be conducted before the closing date, although no hiring decisions will be made until after the search has closed. For further information about this specific position, please contact Professor Daniel Newman by email at d5n@illinois.edu or by phone at 217-244-2512. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
Additional Information
We offer an active and successful dual-career partner placement program and are strongly committed to promoting work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff (http://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/). To find out more about the resources available at the university and Urbana-Champaign community please visit these sites:
- Dual Career Program
- Benefits
- Living in Urbana-Champaign
Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana
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.
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.
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.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1038469
Job Category: Faculty
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
See All 8 Labor Relations Director Jobs in Illinois
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Find Labor Relations Director JobsLabor Relations Director Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Labor Relations Director Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in labor relations director jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in labor relations, human resources, or a closely related field required
- Demonstrated experience leading collective bargaining negotiations with union representatives
- Deep knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act and Illinois Public Labor Relations Act
- Experience managing grievance procedures and arbitration proceedings from initiation through resolution
- Strong background in employment law compliance within unionized Illinois public or private sectors
- SHRM-SCP, PHR, or CLRP certification preferred by Illinois healthcare and government employers
Labor Relations Director Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a labor relations director in Illinois?
Most labor relations directors in Illinois follow a path that begins with a bachelor's degree in labor relations, human resources, or business administration, then builds experience in union environments through roles like labor relations specialist or HR generalist in a unionized setting. Illinois does not require a state-issued license for this role. Familiarity with the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act is essential for anyone pursuing public-sector or school district positions, which represent a large share of the state's openings.
How much do labor relations directors make in Illinois?
Labor relations directors in Illinois earn a median of about $104,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $63,150 for the lowest 10% to over $144,200 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire labor relations directors in Illinois?
Employers hiring labor relations directors in Illinois right now include US Foods, Albertsons, and Kraft Heinz, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's dense concentration of unionized manufacturers, major hospital networks, and large state and municipal agencies makes it one of the more active markets for this role in the Midwest.
Which Illinois cities have the most labor relations director jobs?
Chicago, Oak Brook, and Itasca have the most labor relations director openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its concentration of unionized industries, corporate headquarters, and large public employers, while Springfield generates consistent demand from state government agencies and Rockford reflects manufacturing and healthcare union activity in northern Illinois.
Are there remote labor relations director jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Labor relations directors regularly attend on-site negotiations, grievance meetings, and arbitration hearings, which limits full remote arrangements. About 50% of labor relations director openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with hybrid schedules most common at corporate HR departments where some policy and compliance work can be done off-site.
How can I get hired as a labor relations director in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a labor relations specialist or HR generalist within a unionized Illinois organization, such as the City of Chicago, a Cook County agency, or a major hospital network like Advocate Health Care or Northwestern Medicine. Illinois public employers and transit agencies like the Chicago Transit Authority frequently post associate-level labor relations roles. Completing a master's degree in labor and employment relations from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's School of Labor and Employment Relations or earning a CLRP credential gives candidates a measurable edge when competing for these entry-level positions.
Where can I find and apply to labor relations director jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to labor relations director jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and target industry, and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 8 Labor Relations Director Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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