HR Business Partner

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Discretionary bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff is seeking an HR Business Partner to support two Chicago offices. The role focuses on providing HR support, coaching, employee relations, and performance management to a multi-location workforce.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in HR or business, 7+ years of HR experience, and SHRM/HRCI certification preferred. A hybrid work schedule and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field; SHRM/HRCI preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally in professional services.
• Ability to advise on employee relations, performance management, and organizational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor to office leadership on employee relations and performance management.
• Partner with HR leadership to execute firmwide HR initiatives and policies.
• Drive organizational effectiveness and workforce planning aligned with business goals.
• Support two offices with HR operations and talent development initiatives.

Skills

Employee relations

Coaching

Performance management

HR policies

Microsoft Office

HRIS

Compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Business Administration

SHRM or HRCI certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS

Job description

Who We Are

At Benesch we pride ourselves on exceeding expectations and building trust not only with our clients but with our employees – Benesch's #1 asset. Committed to providing not only the highest level of legal service to our clients, Benesch also aspires to create a positive work environment for our employees. Our firm continues to earn placement on Chicago and Cleveland's Top Workplaces list, along with Cleveland's NorthCoast 99 Top Workplaces rankings. We also continue to advance on the AmLaw 125 list, placing us among the top 125 law firms in the country.

Benesch is proud to be recognized for being a firm that attracts and retains top talent – making Benesch a great place to work. We offer a hybrid schedule, career development and growth, transparent and visible leadership teams, and a place where diversity, equity and inclusion is celebrated. In addition, the firm offers a full array of benefits which can be viewed at www.mybeneschbenefits.com.

We are one of the fastest growing firms in the nation, and have offices in Chicago, Columbus, San Francisco, New York City, and Wilmington. We continue to expand our geographic footprint and value the talent that comprises each of our locations. If you are someone who champions a First in Service approach and are ready to be part of an exciting and growing firm, we would invite you to apply to join our team.

Want to know more? To hear from some of our team, click here: https://www.beneschlaw.com/careers/index.html.

Benesch is proud to announce the opening for an HR Business Partner in our Chicago office! This position is hybrid and has work-from-home flexibility.

Position Summary

Do you thrive on being the point person to others and assisting them with their questions, concerns, needs and helping them to develop, grow and succeed? Do you have solid experience providing human resources support to multiple locations with employee relations, coaching and performance management? Do you find excitement in being the “on the ground” HR support to an organization’s employees? Then our HR Business Partner opportunity is the position for you! Benesch is looking for someone to join our HR team and provide support to two specific locations to help Benesch’s staff with their HR needs and help them reach their professional goals.

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 firmwide 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 firmwide 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 offboarding 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 firmwide 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.

The salary range for this position is $100K to $122K.

Please note that quoted salary ranges are based on Benesch's good faith belief at the time of the job posting and are not a guarantee of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Base pay is only one part of the total rewards that Benesch provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full‑time positions are eligible for 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].

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities