Title: Manager, Talent Management

Employee Status: Full Time – Exempt

Salary: Grade 05

Starting range of $85,000 - $108,900 | Chicago

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 Manager of Talent Management is a strategic leader responsible for designing, implementing and optimizing the organization’s employee development lifecycle. This role is accountable for four core pillars of the employee experience: employee relations, hiring and recruiting, performance management and learning and development. This position will have support in the execution of recruiting and learning & development efforts.

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 change in the areas of economic and racial justice.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Employee Relations

• Conducts employee relations actions across the organization, including conflict resolution strategies ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant employment practices.
• Serves as a key liaison between employees, managers, and leadership, providing guidance on company policies, performance management, disciplinary actions, and workplace issues.
• Recommend proactive employee relations strategies to reduce risk and improve culture, while coaching managers on handling workplace concerns.

2. Performance Management

• Lead the execution of annual and mid-year performance review cycles.
• Develop clear promotion criteria tied to core competencies.
• Draw on research and best practices to identify investments IFF will make in its talent management function, to support continued improvements in performance management.
• Lead initiatives that improve employee accountability, recognition, and continuous feedback.

3. Succession Planning

• Identify and prioritize critical roles across the organization and develop robust succession pipelines.
• Collaborate with the Chief People Officer (CPO) to forecast future talent needs and align succession strategies with business objectives.
• Lead and facilitate talent bench reviews, including readiness assessments, to ensure leadership continuity and organizational resilience.

4. Talent Management Programs & Events

• Oversee the company-wide Mentoring Program, including program design, participant engagement, and outcome measurement.
• Plan and coordinate employee engagement events such as Bring Your Kid to Work Day across all office locations, ensuring consistency and alignment with company culture.
• Support programs for high-potential employees and leadership development (excluding training delivery).

5. Expected to be involved in hiring and recruiting processes, including actively interviewing candidates, process improvement, and in future state, may take ownership of some aspects of hiring processes.

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

7. Performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Measures:

1. Stronger alignment between performance outcomes and compensation or development plans.

2. Employee relations situations handled appropriately, fairly, consistently and successfully mitigating enterprise risk. ER documentation is thorough and follows appropriate documentation retention standards.

3. Cultivates a culture of openness in information sharing. Encourages open communication, cooperation, and the sharing of knowledge.

4. Models personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement.

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

6. 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.

7. High level of satisfaction with both internal colleagues and external contacts.

Position Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Education, or related field. Certification in the HR field preferred (PHR, SPHR-CP, or similar).

Previous Experience:

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in HR, with expertise in employee relations required, performance management and recruiting are required. Experience in learning & development is a plus.

• Strong understanding of employment law, HR best practices and talent development methodologies.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

• Must be invested in continuous improvement, open to continuous feedback and brings a solutions oriented approach to their work.

• Confidentiality is unwavering and can be trusted with sensitive matters.

Additional Requirements: Occasional early start or extended hours and evening or weekend work. Must be willing to come into the office when requested.

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

• sponsorship to applicants who require or will require a work permit.

Actual compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and skill set.

Check off only some boxes in the requirements listed above. Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. So, if you're excited about this role, we encourage you to apply.

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.