Senior Human Resources Manager

Los Angeles, CA or New York, NY

Summary

The Senior Human Resources Manager located in a premier, forward thinking, global, law firm’s Los Angeles office, will report to and work directly with the Chief Human Resources Officer in developing, implementing and evaluating ongoing HR policies, programs, functions and activities firm-wide. The Senior HR Manager will work closely with other HR/Benefits/Payroll Managers and will liaise and interact directly with the department Chiefs/Directors and Directors of Administration, senior firm management, and a broad cross-section of the firm’s attorneys, and other key members within Information Systems, Finance, Legal Recruiting, Professional Development, Diversity, Business Development & Marketing and other firm departments and their staff.

The Senior Human Resources Manager has direct supervisory responsibility for two HR members, including performance management, hiring, etc. 

Specific Responsibilities

• Responsible for cultivating strategic internal customer relationships, working directly with all departments and all attorney and staff levels seeking assistance and support from the Human Resources department.
• Serves as a primary HR resource to all attorneys and staff, responding to questions and inquiries related to firm policies, procedures and employment law. Ensures consistent application and compliance with firm policies, professional standards and with federal, state and local employment laws and regulations.
• Uses appropriate judgment to route or escalate complex questions and/or issues to CHRO, partners-in-charge or other appropriate Firm representative to ensure issue is resolved in a timely manner.
• In conjunction with CHRO, or other firm representative, will work to resolve employee relations problems, including responsibility for conducting thorough investigations, handling all documentation and making recommendations on action to be taken to CHRO or Firm management.
• Counsels and advises affected attorneys and staff on use of problem-solving methods, counseling and guiding direct managers with employee disciplinary procedures to ensure consistent, equal and fair treatment of all personnel.
• Oversees the annual review, development and implementation of personnel policies and procedures; prepares and maintains the employee handbook and other HR related policies and procedures.
• Oversee and monitor the onboarding process for attorneys and staff, to ensure that all personnel records and information are accurate and up-to-date including compliance with USCIS Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. May complete, review and/or sign-off on personnel action forms (PAF) for new hires, status changes, etc.
• Responsible for overseeing annual and mid-year review process for all staff personnel, providing direction and guidance to Chiefs/Directors/Managers on compensation/bonus recommendations, system set-up, reporting budget and actual compensation/bonus numbers to CHRO and senior management, liaising with Payroll on bonus payments and compensation changes and tracking/recording status changes.
• Responsible for annual reporting such as EEO-1 and quarterly/annual audit of attorney bar admissions.
• Management and oversight of H1B, OPT, J-1 and TN applications, extensions, expiration dates, etc.
• Oversight of workers’ compensation program and leaves of absences.
• Acts as back-up to other HR managers.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of general human resources best practices and principles, as well as international, federal, state and local employment laws and regulations.
• Experience in employee relations including managing and investigating employee relations concerns.
• Critical thinking and sound judgment with ability to analyze and resolve problems.
• Highly effective communication skills (written and verbal) to interact with all levels of leadership, and technology and business partners along with managing a productive working relationship.
• Experience in providing accurate, timely and responsive support on complex problems.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects/deliverables to meet deadlines.
• Capable of maintaining confidence of personal and highly sensitive information.
• Demonstrated high level of proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to interface with all levels of staff and management.

Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or related field or equivalent relevant work experience, required. Certification as a PHR or SPHR preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in human resources department as a generalist or specialist. Experience in a law firm setting preferred.
• Experience with PeopleSoft 9 (or above), SilkRoad, viGlobal, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Microsoft SQL Server, XML Publisher, HTML and/or other HRMS or database reporting tools is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Human Resources, Payroll and Benefits practices and principles. As well as proficient knowledge of federal, state and local employment laws and regulations, as well as international employment laws, practices and data privacy laws.