Director of Human Resources - Legal

Andvaris Inc; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Andvaris Inc in Philadelphia, PA, hybrid work arrangement, seeks a Director of Human Resources reporting to the CFO. This senior HR advisor leads employee relations, investigations, compliance across PA/NJ/DE/NY, and oversees compensation, benefits, recruiting, and policy translation to people programs for attorneys and leadership.

The role covers HR strategy, policy development, training, and engagement initiatives, coordinating with law firm leadership and practice groups to advance firm

Qualifications

• Senior HR leader overseeing employee relations and investigations.
• Experience with employment compliance across PA, NJ, DE, and NY.
• Proven ability to translate firm priorities into people programs for attorneys and leaders.
• Experience in compensation, benefits, and staff recruiting.
• Strong policy development and training program delivery.
• Excellent communication and collaboration with firm leadership.

Responsibilities

• Formulating and leading HR strategy in alignment with CFO and firm leadership.
• Overseeing employee relations, investigations, and disciplinary actions.
• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across the four states.
• Developing policies, updating handbooks, and coordinating training initiatives.
• Managing compensation, benefits, open enrollment, and liaison with brokers/vendors.
• Leading full-cycle recruiting and onboarding for administrative and professional staff.
• Overseeing HRIS data integrity, reporting, and records management.
• Coordinating onboarding/offboarding processes and performance management programs.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

HR policy

Recruiting

Compliance

HR analytics

Training & development

ADP (HRIS)

Tools

ADP

Job description

Location: Philadelphia, PA 19103 – Hybrid

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer

Firm Size: ~150+ attorneys and business professionals

Position Overview:

The Director of Human Resources reports to the Chief Financial Officer and is the firm’s senior HR advisor. The role leads employee relations and investigations, employment compliance across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, compensation and benefits, staff recruiting, and HR policy, and translates firm priorities into people programs that support attorneys, practice groups, and firm leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

HR Strategy and Leadership

• Partner with the CFO, Co-Chairs, and Management Committee to develop and execute HR priorities aligned with firm objectives.
• Advise firm leadership on workforce planning, organizational issues, and people-related risk.
• Prepare HR reports, metrics, and dashboards for firm leadership.
• Supervise and provide direction to HR staff.

Employee Relations and Employment Law Compliance

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters across all offices.
• Conduct and oversee workplace investigations. Guide disciplinary action, performance improvement, conflict resolution, and terminations.
• Coach managers and supervisors on employee development, documentation, and corrective action. Partner with the Director of Legal Support Services on matters involving legal assistants, paralegals, and shared services.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, including leave, wage and hour, hiring, and anti-discrimination requirements.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory changes and recommend policy updates.
• Consult with employment counsel as appropriate.
• Promote a professional, respectful, and consistent workplace across offices.

Policy, Training, and Culture

• Develop, implement, and communicate firm policies and procedures. Maintain the employee handbook, policy manuals, and HR intranet content.
• Select and deliver required training, including workplace harassment prevention, and coordinate subject-specific training with other departments.
• Drive engagement and recognition programs, working with the Director of Facilities on event logistics such as Administrative Professionals Day, holiday gatherings, and anniversary recognition.
• Monitor employee satisfaction and recommend retention strategies.

Compensation, Benefits, and Leave

• Administer compensation and benefits programs firmwide. Conduct periodic market reviews for staff roles and recommend adjustments.
• Direct medical, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement, and related plans. Manage open enrollment and serve as primary liaison to brokers, carriers, and third-party administrators.
• Oversee leave administration, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, short-term disability, parental leave, and related programs, and supervise day-to-day processing.
• Ensure compliance with ACA, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, and related benefit regulations.
• Coordinate 401(k) administration, including enrollments, loans, distributions, and terminations, and support the Benefits Committee.
• Facilitate annual welfare and retirement plan audits and timely Form 5500 filings. Coordinate nondiscrimination testing with the recordkeeper and coordinate nondiscrimination testing with the recordkeeper and
• Provide recommendations on merit increases, promotions, and other compensation adjustments for administrative and professional staff. Final decisions sit with the CFO and firm leadership.

Recruiting, Onboarding, and Performance

• Manage full-cycle recruiting for legal assistants, paralegals, shared services, interns, and other administrative and professional staff, in partnership with the Director of Legal Support Services and hiring managers. HR owns the posting, screening standards, background checks, and offer. The hiring manager owns the selection.
• Partner with the CFO on attorney recruiting. HR supports process, offers, onboarding, and documentation.
• Develop onboarding that covers firmwide orientation, benefits, and policy, and coordinate role-specific onboarding with legal support and practice leaders.
• Lead performance management design for administrative and professional staff, including goal-setting, evaluations, and performance improvement plans.
• Support attorney performance evaluation processes as requested by firm leadership.
• Direct staff training and development programs beyond required compliance training.

HR Operations, HRIS, and Reporting

• Oversee ADP, including data integrity, security, configuration, reporting, and process improvement. Advanced ADP experience is preferred, not required.
• Maintain personnel records in compliance with retention requirements.
• Prepare workforce analytics, including turnover, recruiting, and headcount, for firm leadership.
• Prepare and submit EEO-1 and other required employment filings. Process employment verification requests.
• Supervise the HR coordinator’s work on benefits file maintenance, CLE tracking, attorney registration support, and related administration.

Attorney Administrative Support

• Remain accountable for Pennsylvania CLE compliance tracking and New Jersey and Pennsylvania attorney registration support. Day-to-day tracking may be performed by an HR coordinator under the Director’s supervision.
• Coordinate attorney onboarding and departure processes, including transition procedures, alumni mailbox monitoring, and related documentation.

Payroll & Timekeeping Support

• Assist with payroll processing by verifying timekeeping records and ensuring data accuracy.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll, deductions, and direct deposit.
• Coordinate with payroll and finance teams to resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain confidentiality