Director of Legal Counsel (Director #34)

Position: Director of Legal Counsel (Director #34)

Inventory#: 34

Location: Springfield or Chicago

Union: Exempt

Department: Legal

Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $97,984 - $129,828

Full Salary Range: $97,984 - $161,674

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Posted Date: April 16, 2026

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, is responsible for a broad range of labor and employment matters for the Agency. Directs and monitors the collective bargaining agreements, handling grievances through arbitration, and strategically partnering with internal stakeholders with respect to legal and contractual obligations. Advises the Agency regarding non-discrimination and harassment, wage and hour, medical and other leave programs, labor relations, and employee benefits. Supervises and evaluates Legal Department staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Handles or closely oversees labor negotiations.​
• Participates in collective bargaining negotiations and provides necessary support.​
• Acts as labor legal counsel in grievances, arbitrations and in other proceedings.​
• Serves as the Agency EEO/AA Officer.​
• Provides strategic advice and counsel to internal clients, including business leaders, and team members regarding labor laws and union contractual obligations.​
• Provides education and advice to business leaders and internal clients regarding positive employment practices.​
• Independently develops and maintains proactive working relationships with internal clients, legal and union representatives.​
• Responds to complaints from current and former employees or their legal counsel.​
• Drafts employment, separation and other contractual agreements.​
• Manages labor and employment issues in acquisitions and reductions in force.​
• Develops and drafts Agency policies and procedures.​
• Develops and conducts training programs.​
• Develops business-focused solutions to labor and employment issues to mitigate risk for the organization.​
• Manages federal and state employment-related litigation, as well as position statements and other administrative filings.​
• Handles employment law-related investigations and audits.​
• Reviews and recommends changes based on FLSA requirements.​
• Produces and analyzes a variety of labor relations reports.​
• Supervises staff in the legal dept.​
• Performs other duties as assigned.​​​​​

Required Qualifications:

• ​​Graduate of an accredited school of law. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION)
• ​​Must possess an active law license in good standing. (COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION)
• ​​Seven years of experience working as a licensed attorney.
• ​​Approximately 5-7 years of experience in labor and employment.
• ​​Experience handling investigations related to ethics and compliance.
• ​​Labor/collective bargaining experience.
• ​​Adept at handling a variety of labor and employment matters with limited supervision; these matters include, but are not limited to, employee relations (employment-related agreements), employee benefits, labor relations and employee privacy (HIPPA, non-competes, etc.)
• ​​Ability to advise and counsel managers concerning employee relations, including labor relations and collective bargaining.
• ​​Ability to represent the Agency with regard to all charges filed with government agencies and in litigation matters.
• ​​Ability to supervise Legal Department staff.
• ​​​Ability to travel occasionally.​​​
  

ISBE provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We actively foster a culture of inclusion and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Illinois has an urgent and collective responsibility to achieve educational equity by ensuring that all policies, programs, and practices affirm the strengths that each and every child brings within their diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and by delivering the comprehensive supports, programs, and educational opportunities they need to succeed.