Human Resource Policy Specialist

Guidehouse; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Parental Leave

Adoption Assistance

Tuition Reimbursement

Learning Opportunities

Job summary

Guidehouse seeks a lead HR Policy Specialist to drive policy development, review and interpretation across HR operations in a dynamic environment. You will analyze existing processes, standardize practices, and partner with HR leadership to ensure compliant, practical guidance aligned with goals.

Responsibilities include directing a team to research federal HR laws, preparing policy documents, and coordinating policy rollout.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years' experience in human resources, policy analysis or related role.
• Experience supporting federal HR programs in a large, multi-organization environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to assess complex issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and cross-team collaboration.
• Willingness to travel and work in Guidehouse offices or client locations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead HR Policy Specialist for development, review, interpretation, and implementation of HR policies.
• Lead analysis of existing processes to standardize, improve consistency, and optimize HR operations.
• Partner with HR leadership to assess policy impacts and support enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Direct a team to research federal laws, regulations, directives, and best practices.
• Prepare clear policy documents and recommendations for leadership approval.
• Support rollout of new or revised policies with stakeholders coordination.
• Monitor policy implementation and identify areas for improvement.
• Oversee 2-3 staff, provide direction, quality review, and day-to-day coordination.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Policy analysis

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel ability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Federal HR regulations research

Job description

• Serve as the lead Human Resource Policy Specialist supporting the development, review, interpretation, and implementation of HR policies, procedures, and guidance.
• Lead the analysis of existing human capital processes and identify opportunities for standardization, consistency, and process improvement across organizational HR operations.
• Partner with HR leadership and stakeholders to assess policy impacts, resolve policy questions, and support enterprise-wide HR initiatives.
• Provide direction to a team to research federal HR laws, regulations, directives, and best practices to ensure policy recommendations are compliant, practical, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Prepare clear written policy documents, reference materials, and recommendations for leadership review and approval.
• Support communication and rollout of new or revised policies, including coordination with HR offices and other stakeholders as needed.
• Monitor policy implementation and help evaluate effectiveness, identifying areas for improvement and process optimization.
• Oversee and guide 2-3 staff supporting HR policy and process workstream activities, providing direction, quality review, and day-to-day coordination as needed.

Job Family

Management Consulting

Travel Required

Up to 10%

Clearance Required

Ability to Obtain Public Trust

What You Will Do

• Serve as the lead Human Resource Policy Specialist supporting the development, review, interpretation, and implementation of HR policies, procedures, and guidance.
• Lead the analysis of existing human capital processes and identify opportunities for standardization, consistency, and process improvement across organizational HR operations.
• Partner with HR leadership and stakeholders to assess policy impacts, resolve policy questions, and support enterprise-wide HR initiatives.
• Provide direction to a team to research federal HR laws, regulations, directives, and best practices to ensure policy recommendations are compliant, practical, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Prepare clear written policy documents, reference materials, and recommendations for leadership review and approval.
• Support communication and rollout of new or revised policies, including coordination with HR offices and other stakeholders as needed.
• Monitor policy implementation and help evaluate effectiveness, identifying areas for improvement and process optimization.
• Oversee and guide 2-3 staff supporting HR policy and process workstream activities, providing direction, quality review, and day-to-day coordination as needed.

What You Will Need

• Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "PUBLIC TRUST".
• Based on our contractual obligations, candidate must be located within the United States and US Citizen.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university AND Five (5+) plus years' experience working in human resources, policy analysis, or a related human capital associated role with responsibility for interpreting and applying HR policies, regulations, or procedures.
• Experience supporting federal human resources programs, especially within a large, multi-organization environment.
• Experience managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess complex issues and recommend effective solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop professional policy documents and present information clearly.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and work with multiple stakeholders to support consistent and standardized HR practices.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy in policy and procedural work.
• Skills in process improvement and supporting continuous improvement efforts.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or overseeing junior staff or workstream contributors.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to work in a Guidehouse Office or Client Office location.

What Would Be Nice To Have

• Master's degree.
• Knowledge of federal HR operations, shared service models, or enterprise HR standardization efforts.
• Experience with HR policy modernization, workflow analysis, or business process improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with staffing, personnel action processing, labor and employee relations, executive resources, or benefits administration.
• Experience working with stakeholders to drive consistency, efficiency, and enterprise-level reporting or visibility.
• Previous experience managing a small team or coordinating the work of junior analysts in a policy or process improvement environment.

What We Offer

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits Include

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [e-mail]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.