Talent Management Associate in Chicago, Illinois at IFF

Title: Talent Management Associate

Employee Status: Full Time, Exempt

Salary: Starting range of $55,000 – $65,000

Reports to: Chief People Officer

Department: Talent Management

Location: Chicago, IL

Hybrid: In office: T/W | WFH: M/Th/F

Department Function:

Our Talent Management (TM) department is the cornerstone of our mission as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a learning organization. People are our greatest asset, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, growth-oriented culture that empowers employees to thrive while advancing our purpose.

As a CDFI, we exist to create economic opportunities and financial equity for underrepresented and underserved communities. TM plays a critical role in this mission by attracting, developing, and retaining talent who share our passion for social impact and community empowerment. We prioritize hiring individuals who bring diverse perspectives and lived experiences, ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we serve.

Our department champions continuous learning and professional development, equipping employees with the tools and knowledge to innovate and lead in a rapidly changing environment. Through strategic talent management, equitable compensation practices, and robust engagement programs, we create pathways for growth and success—both for our team members and the communities we impact.

In short, TM is not just about managing people; it’s about building a purpose-driven workforce that transforms lives and strengthens communities.

The Organization

IFF is a mission-driven lender, real estate consultant, and developer that helps communities thrive. Key to our success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a relentless focus on achieving positive results. Across the Midwest we help clients from every sector, including human service agencies, health centers, schools, affordable housing developers, and healthy food grocery operators. Staff contribute extensive business experience and an unrivaled connection to the mission of IFF to the clients we serve.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Partnering to create thriving communities is at the heart of everything we do. We leverage knowledge, capital, and resources to advance equitable and transformational outcomes in under-resourced communities, guided by our commitment to be an inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive institution that honors communities as asset-rich and as experts in their own stories.

Basic Job Function

The TM Associate is responsible for supporting the Talent Management department in the efficient delivery of TM functions. This role coordinates recruitment activities, maintains HR systems (HRIS), prepares reports, supports onboarding and orientation, assists with compliance initiatives, and performs a variety of administrative functions. The role provides cross-functional administrative and operational support to the Talent Management team and serves as designated backup support for defined processes when team members are unavailable.

This position is well suited for an individual interested in building a career in human resources who brings strong technical aptitude, curiosity, sound judgment, and a willingness to learn across multiple areas of Talent Management. Success in this role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, shift between assignments when business needs change, and return to interrupted work without losing track of deadlines, details, or required follow-up. Because the position has access to sensitive employee and organizational information, discretion and strict confidentiality are essential.

IFF is looking for candidates with a commitment to the work we do who can demonstrate their creativity, diligence, enthusiasm, growth-mindset, thoughtfulness, and passion to make meaningful changes in the areas of economic and racial justice.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Hiring and Recruiting Support:

• Coordinate and schedule interviews, manage calendars, coordinate logistics, arrange travel when needed, and communicate professionally and timely with hiring managers and candidates.
• Provide administrative support throughout the recruitment lifecycle, including maintaining candidate records, support applicant tracking system activities, preparing interview materials, and ensuring an exceptional candidate experience.
• Serve as designated backup to the Senior Recruiter for defined recruiting activities during periods of absence or increased workload, helping maintain continuity of established recruiting processes while escalating matters requiring recruiter-level judgment or decision-making.

2. Onboarding and Offboarding:

• Support new employees onboarding and serve as designated backup for new-hire orientation, including preparing and maintaining orientation documentation, materials, and related communications.
• Ensure new hire data is entered into the HRIS accurately and timely and perform appropriate data-quality checks.
• Provide administrative support for employee offboarding, including established documentation, HRIS updates, and coordination of assigned Talent Management processes.

3. HRIS:

• Maintain and update employee information within the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality. Maintain or update workflows as needed.
• Generate, modify, and maintain recruiting and ad hoc HRIS reports and report templates to support Talent Management operations, compliance and organizational needs.
• Develop proficiency in IFF's HR technology platforms, including HRIS, applicant tracking, benefits, performance management, learning, and assist with data validation, system maintenance, troubleshooting, testing, and other assigned system activities.
• Maintain a high level of accuracy when working with employee data and promptly identify and escalate discrepancies or potential data-integrity concerns.
• Assist Talent Management team members and employees with routine system questions, identifying solutions when possible and appropriately escalating technical or system issues requiring additional expertise.
• Use Excel and other reporting tools to organize, reconcile, analyze, and validate HR data and prepare information for departmental and organizational reporting.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of recurring HRIS processes, reporting procedures, system changes, and other assigned technology workflows to support consistency and business continuity.
• Demonstrate curiosity and initiative when learning unfamiliar technology, including researching functionality, testing solutions, asking thoughtful questions, and applying new knowledge to improve day-to-day work.
• Protects the confidentiality, privacy, and integrity of employee information and system access, sharing information only with
• individuals who have an appropriate business need or authorization.

4. Administrative Support:

• Generate, compile, analyze, and distribute recurring and ad hoc HR reports, org charts and dashboards to support business and departmental decision-making.
• Research assigned questions using reliable resources, summarize findings, and seek guidance when an issue requires additional subject-matter expertise or escalation.
• Provide designated backup support to Talent Management team members during absences or periods of increased workload. Backup responsibilities are intended to maintain continuity of established processes and do not transfer the independent decision-making authority or full responsibilities of those positions.
• Conduct research on HR best practices, employment regulations, and compliance requirements to support policy development and operational effectiveness. This includes assisting with HR compliance activities, including maintaining required documentation, supporting audits, and ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Process departmental invoices, submit expense reports, reconcile purchases, and assist with budget tracking and vendor payments.
• Respond to routine employee and manager inquiries and provide exceptional customer service while directing more complex matters to the appropriate HR team member.

5. Process Efficiency and Continuous Learning

• Identify opportunities to improve Talent Management processes, strengthen data accuracy, streamline administrative workflows, and enhance the employee and manager experience. Participate in Strategic Process Mapping and other organizational-effectiveness initiatives as assigned.
• Demonstrate curiosity and a growth mindset by learning new systems, researching unfamiliar topics, asking thoughtful questions, and developing knowledge across Talent Management functions. Remain open to new approaches, feedback, and changing priorities.

6. Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Promotes an environment of empathy and respect, ensure the inclusion of all team members, and will actively engage in EDI events and learning opportunities.

7. Perform other projects as assigned. No job description can be entirely comprehensive, and the jobholder will be expected to carry out other duties.

Performance Measures:

1. Interviews are scheduled/coordinated accurately, and in a timely manner.

2. Creating, maintaining and updating TM data systems, documents and materials is done in a complete, thorough, accurate and timely manner.

3. Demonstrates strong organizational discipline while managing multiple priorities, including the ability to shift between assignments and return to interrupted work without losing track of details, deadlines, or follow-up.

4. Maintains the confidentiality and security of employees, candidate, and organizational information and demonstrates sound judgment regarding sensitive matters.

5. Cultivates a culture of transparency and openness by sharing appropriate information in a timely and constructive manner, encouraging open communication and cooperation, and contributing to the sharing of knowledge across the team. Demonstrates sound judgment in recognizing when information is confidential, sensitive, or restricted and must not be shared.

6. Models personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement.

7. Builds and maintains effective working relationships with colleagues, peers and team members.

8. Values and supports differences in others, contributing to an inclusive work environment. Demonstrates the ability and willingness to communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to create a collaborative, collegial, and caring community.

Position Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred but relevant experience will be considered in lieu of degree. Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience. Preference for previous human resources experience. Preference for those looking to grow and build a career in human resources. Strong technical acumen is required.

Previous Experience:

Experience providing administrative support.

Prior experience coordinating complex calendars.

Prior experience working within an ATS (Paylocity / Rippling/Greenhouse / Bullhorn / etc.) is required.

Strong organizational and project coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information.

Strong customer service orientation and interpersonal skills.

Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) proficiency is a must.

Additional Requirements: Occasional travel throughout the Midwest region; occasional early start or extended hours and evening or weekend work.

Standard Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution

Life Insurance

Short and long term disability

Work-Life Balance Benefits:

Hybrid workplace

Summer Fridays

Employee Development Benefits:

Professional development stipend

Mentorship program

Miscellaneous:

Wellness programs

Employee assistance

Referral Bonuses

IFF does not offer the following:

• relocation package
• 100% remote
• provide sponsorship to applicants who require or will require a work permit.

You don’t have to meet every qualification to apply. Research shows that talented candidates, particularly women and people from historically underrepresented groups, may hesitate to apply unless they meet all the listed requirements. If you’re excited about this role and believe you can contribute, we’re excited to hear from you.

Application Instructions: Please visit the Careers section of our website to apply online.

IFF values equity, diversity, and inclusion as part of its mission to strengthen nonprofits and the communities they serve. IFF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.