HR Business Partner

Benesch Law; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Benesch Law seeks an HR Business Partner in its Chicago office, offering hybrid work‑from‑home flexibility. The HRBP will guide employee relations, performance management, and talent development, partnering with HR leadership to execute firm-wide initiatives.

Responsibilities include workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, coaching managers, and supporting hiring decisions across two offices. Travel between locations may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field; certification preferred.
• A minimum of seven years of progressive HR experience in a legal or professional services environment.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices; able to handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor to office leadership on employee relations, performance, and talent strategy.
• Partner with HR leadership to execute firm-wide HR initiatives and policies across offices.
• Drive organizational effectiveness and workforce planning to support business goals.
• Support change management, onboarding, offboarding, and HR operations across assigned departments.
• Coach managers on performance, conflict resolution, and team effectiveness.
• Assist in recruitment support, interviewing, and hiring input with leadership.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

Talent development

Organizational effectiveness

Workforce planning

HR operations

Coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

SHRM or HRCI certification

Tools

HRIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Benesch is proud to announce the opening for an HR Business Partner in the Chicago office. This position is hybrid with work‑from‑home flexibility.

Position Summary

The HR Business Partner serves as a strategic and operational HR partner supporting designated offices and business services departments within the Firm. The HR Business Partner provides guidance and support across employee relations, performance management, talent development, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, and HR operations. This role supports two offices within the Firm’s six‑office footprint and partners closely with office leadership, department managers, and firm‑wide HR leadership to foster a high‑performance, collaborative, and client‑service‑oriented culture. The HRBP also maintains oversight and partnership responsibilities for several business support departments and collaborates closely with others within the HR team on talent and professional development initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Serves as a trusted advisor to office leadership and department managers on employee relations, performance management, organizational effectiveness, engagement, and talent strategy.
• Partners with the HR leadership team to execute firm‑wide HR initiatives, policies, and strategic priorities across assigned offices and departments.
• Drives organizational effectiveness initiatives by aligning talent strategies with business goals, operational needs, and employee development opportunities.
• Supports organizational change initiatives, workforce planning efforts, and department restructuring activities as needed.
• Manages employee relations matters with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment, ensuring consistency with Firm policies and employment practices.
• Conducts investigations related to workplace concerns and recommends appropriate resolutions in partnership with HR leadership and legal counsel when appropriate.
• Provides proactive coaching and consultation to managers regarding employee performance, conflict resolution, communication, and team effectiveness.
• Guides managers through performance management processes, including coaching conversations, performance improvement plans, and corrective action.
• Partners with leadership to identify skill and competency gaps among support staff and recommends learning and development initiatives that build capability and confidence.
• Partners with the Learning & Development Manager to identify training needs and support leadership development, employee engagement, and professional growth initiatives.
• Promotes a positive employee experience and inclusive workplace culture aligned with Firm values.
• Partners with department leaders and hiring managers in support of hiring needs including recruiting strategy, interviewing candidates, assessing fit, and providing input into hiring decisions.
• Conducts new hire check‑ins at the 30, 60, and 90‑day milestones for assigned departments and locations to ensure a successful integration experience, identify development needs, and foster early engagement.
• Participates in the off‑boarding process by conducting exit interviews, reporting on themes and trends, and supporting a smooth transition experience.
• Ensures consistent application of HR policies, procedures, and employment practices across assigned offices and departments.
• Maintains knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and ensures compliance with applicable regulations and Firm policies.
• Collaborates effectively with colleagues across recruiting, benefits, payroll, and learning and development to deliver exceptional internal client service.
• Participates in special projects and firm‑wide HR programs.

Qualifications

The Human Resources Business Partner should hold a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; SHRM or HRCI certification is preferred. A minimum of seven years of progressive human resources experience is required, ideally within a legal, professional services, or other matrixed environment. The HRBP will bring experience supporting multiple office locations and business functions, along with strong skills in employee relations, coaching, and performance management. They must be able to build credibility at all levels of the organization, demonstrate sound knowledge of employment law and HR best practices, communicate effectively, manage competing priorities, and use HRIS and Microsoft Office tools proficiently. The successful candidate will demonstrate a high degree of discretion, sound judgment, and integrity in handling sensitive and confidential information. Occasional travel between office locations is expected.

Salary range: $100,000 - $122,000 per year. The position may include a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benesch is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (where applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations), medical condition, protected veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require special assistance or an accommodation during the process due to a disability should contact the Benesch Human Resources Department by phone at 216‑363‑4578 or email Christine Watson at [e-mail].