A leading global law firm with offices in 26 key business centers across the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. We are a collegial, collaborative and diverse firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support and development they need to grow, thrive and realize their greatest potential.
If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are achievement, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Human Resources department in Los Angeles as a Human Resources Manager.
The HR Manager leads the HR Business Partner function for the Los Angeles office, serving as a strategic partner to office, practice, recruiting and administrative leadership and providing direction and oversight for HR activities supporting all employees (lawyers and staff) within the Los Angeles office. Consults with a variety of stakeholders to translate the Firm’s business objectives into actionable, integrated HR solutions. This role will use data and a collaborative approach to seek out hidden opportunities and make proactive suggestions to help advance our business. This role brings together HR services across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, orientation, compensation, learning & development and employee relations, as well as engagement, culture and diversity and inclusion, drawing upon centralized HR team support to collaborate with the LA HR team. This role will work as part of a global HR team who are striving to deliver a high quality experience for lawyers and business services staff. This role is also responsible for working with the Director of Administration, West Coast to supervise approximately 20 secretarial and paralegal resources.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree when the experience has been directly related to the functions of the job
- SPHR, SHRM-SCP and/or SHRP California Employment Law certifications preferred.
- 10 years of progressively responsible experience in Human Resources
- Law firm experienced preferred
- Demonstrated success partnering with business managers to develop and execute HR initiatives that align to business goals.
- Management and supervisory experience required
- Knowledge of California labor and employment laws
- Knowledge of best practices in HR programs and practices
- Demonstrated ability to coach and influence leaders
- Ability to consult with leaders, drawing out unseen needs and proactively identifying solution
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
- Familiar with HR software preferred (Peoplesoft, Vi Desktop, Objective Manager, iCims, LawCruit)
- Familiar with current laws affecting benefits, hiring, wage and hour issues and conduct
- Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Strong written and verbal communications skills, able to communicate effectively with all levels
- Ability to foster an inclusive team environment
- Ability to coach and develop a team
- Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines with shifting priorities
- High level of initiative
- Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
- Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
- Process orientation, able to identify opportunities and solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Manages processes for direct reports in regards to performance appraisals, compensation, goal setting, coaching and feedback
- Influences overall HR processes, programs and priorities
- Proactively identifies opportunities for continuous improvements to processes, policies and procedures
- Operational budget analysis and recommendations
- Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
- Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
- Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner
- May require occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs.
Job Requirements:
Responsibilities
- Proactively works with office and practice leaders and department heads to align and execute HR programs and initiatives in support of business plans and objectives.
- Manages execution for all HR activity in Los Angeles for lawyers and business services staff, through direct management for localized HR activities and coordination with centralized recruiting, learning & development and shared HR support services.
- Works closely with HR central functions (Recruiting, Learning & Development, Compensation, Benefits & Wellbeing etc.) to develop HR programs and policies and then implementing them locally.
- Local administration of processes such as short and long term disability claims, worker’s compensation claims, leaves of absence and payroll questions
- Coordinates annual insurance open enrollment meetings
- Responds to inquiries regarding policies, procedures and firm programs
- Coordinates with recruitment team to identify hiring needs, develop hiring strategies and support the interview and selection process.
- Coordinates with centralized teams to administer orientation activities and ensure successful transfer to the firm, including technology training, benefits, introduction to the local office, etc.
- Manages all HR transactions for life cycle of employee, e.g. onboarding, US work authorization / visas, alternative work schedules / remote work arrangements, inbound and outbound client / office secondments, office / practice transfers, leaves, separations, etc.
- Working with the US Attorney Student Recruitment Manager and the local Attorney Development & Recruitment Manager, oversees the management of the Summer Associate programs in Los Angeles including orientation, work assignments, evaluations, events, mentors, training, diversity initiatives, budget and offer process in coordination with program leaders.
- Manages one HR resource in Los Angeles, providing direction, guidance and coaching; responsible for hiring, performance management, compensation and development decision.
- Provides day-to-day coaching and assists with escalated issues.
- Completes annual performance appraisals and provides ongoing coaching and feedback.
- Manages locally escalated Employee Relations or other complex situations.
- Coordinates with Employment Counsel as appropriate
- Advises other managers on appropriate resolution of employee relations issues
- Documents performance issues, handles all necessary counseling sessions and submits written documentation to maintain files.
- Utilizes data to support leaders in making talent management decisions.
- Responsible for collecting and analyzing HR data for recommendations to management regarding compensation. Prepares annual salary analysis for local Business Services positions. Prepares budget for salary increases and bonuses for Business Services.
- Uses PeopleSoft software to look up employee data and run reports on headcount, attrition, new hires, salaries, benefits and payroll records
- Ensures the integrity of data tracked on applicants and employees such that it is accurate and current
- Creates two-way feedback channels and provides insights on Los Angeles office’s needs to inform HR and L&D approaches and offerings.
- Works with the Director of Administration, West Coast to manage paralegals, document clerks and secretarial staff
- Manages all people management functions for support staff
- Responsible for daily posting of all attendance information (including all scheduled and non-scheduled absences) for staff to individual posting sheets
- Responsible for secretarial desk coverage, booking overtime requests with alternate shift staff or available overtime staff
- Receives and approves all overtime sheets for verification before being forwarded to Payroll Department
- Assists in planning of office locations and secretarial assignments to assure proper headcount for office
- Other duties as assigned by the Director of Human Resources in partnership with the Director of Administration