Human Resources Manager

Baker Botts; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Baker Botts is seeking a Human Resources Manager for the San Francisco and Palo Alto offices. This full-time, hybrid role involves supporting HR administration, onboarding, visa coordination, and regulatory compliance in California.

The candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of HR experience, with strong knowledge of CA employment laws, proficiency in Workday, and the ability to manage confidential information and lead a team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years HR experience in a large organization, ideally in professional services.
• Extensive knowledge of California HR laws and regulations.
• Familiarity with Workday.
• Ability to manage employee data in an automated HRIS.
• Strong verbal and written communication; data gathering and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify and elevate HR issues to internal stakeholders.
• Independently manage basic employee relations and performance matters.
• Own local onboarding with new hire paperwork and first day resources.
• Partner with HR Director and immigration counsel on visas for lawyers.
• Verify I-9 documentation and monitor visa expiration dates.
• Maintain confidential employee records in compliance with CA law.
• Coordinate termination processing with Payroll for final pay compliance.
• Support Firmwide HR policies and timecard approvals.
• Supervise HR team and support HR initiatives.

Skills

California HR laws

Workday

HR data management

Report preparation

Communications

Team supervision

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Workday

Job description

About Baker Botts

Baker Botts is a leading international law firm recognized for its deep understanding of the industries it serves. With offices across major global markets, the firm delivers sophisticated legal services while cultivating a collaborative, inclusive culture where both attorneys and professional staff contribute to client success and organizational excellence.

About Baker Botts

Baker Botts is a leading international law firm recognized for its deep understanding of the industries it serves. With offices across major global markets, the firm delivers sophisticated legal services while cultivating a collaborative, inclusive culture where both attorneys and professional staff contribute to client success and organizational excellence.

About The Role

Baker Botts, a full-service, leading international law firm recognized for our understanding of the industries we serve, is seeking a Human Resources Manager to provide Human Resources support to Baker Botts’ San Francisco and Palo Alto Offices, working closely with the Office Administrator. This is a full-time, exempt position, resident in the Firm’s San Francisco office with regular travel required to the Firm’s Palo Alto Office as needed.

What You’ll Do

Primary Responsibilities

Human Resources Administration

• Identify and elevate HR-related issues to appropriate internal stakeholders.
• Independently manage basic employee relations and performance management matters.
• Own local staff onboarding, including collecting New Hire paperwork and reviewing First Day information and resources.
• Partner with the HR Director and the Firm's immigration counsel to track lawyers on work visas.
• Verify new hire I-9 documentation to confirm employment eligibility, including monitoring visa and alien documentation expiration dates and requesting updated documentation as needed.
• Maintain employee personnel files in compliance with California law, upholding strict confidentiality of all employee records.
• Partner with the local Office Administrator and Payroll team on termination processing to ensure compliance with state final pay requirements.
• Support administration of Firmwide HR policies, researching answers as needed.
• Assist with the tracking and approval of timecards for legal secretaries and paralegals.
• Manage members of the HR team.
• Support Firmwide HR initiatives as needed.

Recruiting

• Screen staff new hires in partnership with Staff Recruiter and Office Administrator.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 5 years of human resources experience in a large organization, preferably a professional services organization. Prior law firm experience helpful.
• Extensive knowledge of California HR-related laws and regulations.
• Familiarity with Workday.
• Ability to manage employee data utilizing an automated human resources information system.
• Word processing and data entry skills.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Ability to verify data input and correct errors.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to identify and coordinate the resolution of human resources problems and inaccuracies.
• Ability to interact and communicate with people over the telephone, often in stressful situations.
• Ability to supervise and train assigned staff.
• Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information.
• Ability to analyze data.
• Must be a self-starter.
• Must be able to work independently with little supervision.
• Must exhibit strong interpersonal skills and patience and be able to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and employees.
• Must be a successful team player.
• Must be able to work in a multi-task environment using planning and prioritization skills to manage workload in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to work as a team lead to effectively and successfully complete approved projects and upgrades.
• Ability to work overtime for several weeks at a time during seasonal hiring periods, i.e., Summer Associates (March through May), Fall Associates (September through November) and other times as required.

Success in This Role

Success in this role means becoming a trusted HR partner to the San Francisco and Palo Alto offices by delivering responsive, practical, and compliant support to employees and office leadership. The successful candidate will quickly build strong relationships, manage employee relations and HR administration matters with confidence, ensure compliance with California employment laws and Firm policies, and provide exceptional service throughout the employee lifecycle. They will demonstrate sound judgment, maintain strict confidentiality, collaborate effectively with Firmwide stakeholders, and contribute to a positive workplace culture while supporting the Firm's strategic objectives.

How You’ll Work

Physical Requirements

• This position requires a solid attendance record and working at a computer for long periods of time; lifting up to 15 lbs.; and bending and walking. Heavy telephone and face-to-face communication with applicants, vendors, lawyers and staff.

Working Conditions and Environment

• This role may be hybrid and will require a minimum of three days per week (or at least 60%) present in the office, and up to two days per week (40%) may be performed remotely.
• Must be available to travel to both the San Francisco and Palo Alto Offices on a weekly basis as needed.
• This is a full-time position with a standard 37.5 hour work week. Flexible schedule as approved by the Office Administrator.
• Must be available to work occasional weekends and evenings to meet job requirements.

Compensation

• San Francisco: $130,000 – $160,000 annually

Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and market conditions.

Baker Botts L.L.P. is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.