Human Resources Manager

cooley; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cooley seeks an HR Manager to join its HR team in a hybrid work setting. The role partners with department management to align people strategies with business objectives, guiding coaching, performance, compensation, and development. The incumbent will lead recruitment, employee relations, and compliance across designated administrative groups.

Preferred candidates hold an HR certification and have prior law firm exposure, with strong communication and confidentiality in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of HR experience, including management responsibilities.
• Familiarity with state and federal employment laws.
• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field; professional HR certification preferred.
• Experience with HRIS (e.g., Workday) and office productivity tools.

Responsibilities

• Serve as HR manager and business partner to designated administrative departments.
• Attend periodic management meetings and provide HR guidance.
• Oversee full life-cycle recruitment for the department with in-house support as needed.
• Collaborate with compensation and conduct performance and market reviews.
• Manage employee relations, training needs, workforce planning, and succession planning.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and handle escalated matters with discretion.

Skills

HR experience

Employment law knowledge

Communication skills

Management experience

Office software proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

HR certification (PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP)

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Office

iManage

Job description

Human Resources Manager Cooley is seeking an HR Manager to join the HR team.

About Cooley

Cooley is a global law firm with an expansive practice and more than 3,000 employees and partners worldwide. We value and celebrate diverse perspectives and strive to create a workplace where every individual can thrive. At the core of Cooley's success is the exceptional talent and unwavering spirit of our people. We embrace individuality while fostering a 'one-firm' culture where collaboration and creativity thrive. Our people are the foundation of our success and the driving force behind everything we do.

Hybrid Schedule Philosophy

As part of the Cooley culture, we recognize and appreciate the value of being together, in person, to build comradery with others in the office and to be a contributing member of the Cooley office. However, we also appreciate the benefits and flexibility that come from remote working. As such, the default assumption for employees and partners is a hybrid schedule: some in-office presence and some work from home days absent certain essential in-office roles that require five (5) days/week in-office.

Position summary

The HR Manager is responsible for aligning business objectives with employees and management in designated administrative departments. The position formulates partnerships across the HR function to deliver value-added service to management and employees in assigned departments through HR guidance on coaching/mentoring, employee relations, counseling/disciplinary actions, compensation, career development and/or recruiting/hiring needs. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities

• Serve as HR manager and business partner to designated administrative departments. Provide HR guidance to those departments as noted below:
• Attend periodic meetings with management of respective business units
• Monitor the evaluation/feedback process to provide insight into dynamics/structure of designated departments
• Conduct regular staffing needs assessments with department management and handle the full life-cycle recruitment process for the department, utilizing in-house recruiter for overflow recruiting assistance, as needed
• Collaborate with the compensation team during the annual merit & quarterly market review processes to align performance and compensation strategies
• Manage and resolve complex employee relations issues
• Work closely with department management and employees to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity and retention
• Collaborate with department management to identify training programs and professional development goals as well as individual coaching needs; monitor training programs to ensure that training objectives are met
• Work with assigned groups to create department-specific core competencies and monitor employee progress against department competencies model
• Provide guidance and input on department restructures, workforce planning and succession planning
• Interpret and advise assigned department management on human resources policies
• Route benefit/leave of absence/wellness questions and concerns to benefit department and liaise with department management, as needed
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance
• Assist HR leadership with various tasks/projects, as assigned
• All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and experience

Required :

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
• 5+ years of experience in HR (Eligible for consideration of Senior designation with 7+ years applicable experience in the field with 2+ years of exempt/management experience in relevant roles, mastery of assigned area and demonstrated ability to work more independently.)
• Familiarity with state and federal employment laws

Preferred :

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Human Resources or related field
• Prior law firm experience
• Working knowledge of multiple HR disciplines
• HR certification (PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP) strongly preferred
• Prior HRIS experience (e.g., Workday)
• Supervisory or management experience

Competencies

• Comfortable speaking in large group setting
• Must be able to maintain absolute confidentiality regarding department information
• Ability to handle multiple tasks quickly and efficiently
• Strong analytical and math skills
• Ability to function in fast-paced hectic environment while still producing error-free work
• Excellent communication (verbal, email and writing) skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills as well as the ability to interact with all levels of staff and management
• Professional demeanor
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities
• Unquestionable business and personal integrity and ethical standards
• Ability and focus to keep apprised of fe