Human Resources Manager, Client Services

EmphasisHR; Deerfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

EmphasisHR in Deerfield, IL is seeking a Human Resources Manager, Client Services to serve as a trusted HR partner to assigned client groups. This hybrid role blends hands-on employee relations support with practical HR strategy, helping ensure clients receive consistent, compliant HR guidance.

You will collaborate with senior leaders and specialists to build a service‑oriented team culture, support investigations, and implement HR programs aligned to business goals.

Qualifications

• 7+ years HR experience (generalist or BP).
• Knowledge of FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, and ADEA.
• Experience with Paylocity and HRIS systems.
• Experience with wage and hour laws in California.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary HR partner to assigned client groups and advise on best practices and performance management.
• Partner with leaders to resolve HR issues and coordinate withBenefits, payroll, and related specialties as needed.
• Ensure HR guidance complies with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Provide orientation and ongoing training on HR processes, service standards, and HRIS expertise.
• Advise on employee relations, conflict resolution, and terminations; conduct investigations when needed.
• Interpret policies and support grievance resolution; develop practical HR solutions aligned to business goals.
• Monitor metrics, report findings to leadership, and drive process improvements across clients.

Skills

HR knowledge

Communication skills

Data analysis

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

Paylocity

Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Office

Job description

EmphasisHR is seeking a Human Resources Manager, Client Services who will serve as a trusted HR partner to assigned client groups. This hybrid role in Deerfield, IL blends hands‑on employee relations support with practical HR strategy, helping ensure clients receive consistent, compliant HR guidance across their portfolio. You will partner closely with senior leaders and specialists while building a collaborative, service‑oriented team culture.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary HR partner to assigned client groups, advising on best practices, policy interpretation, performance management, and employee discipline.
• Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders to resolve complex HR issues, coordinating with subject‑matter experts in benefits, compensation, payroll, and related specialties as needed.
• Ensure HR guidance and practices comply with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Provide orientation and ongoing training covering processes, procedures, service standards, and HRIS platform expertise.
• Advise clients on employee relations matters, including conflict resolution, corrective action, and terminations.
• Conduct or oversee workplace investigations and recommend appropriate outcomes.
• Interpret policies and, when applicable, collective bargaining agreements, supporting grievance resolution in partnership with labor relations resources.
• Support team effectiveness by building a strong, collaborative, service-oriented culture and continually developing your own skills and those of the team.
• Evaluate current processes and identify opportunities to streamline, improve efficiency, and enhance the client experience.
• Design, implement, and revise HR programs, procedures, and systems aligned to client business needs.
• Coordinate with peer HR Managers, the Payroll Manager, and the Managing Director of HR to support consistent, compliant policy and practice application company-wide.
• Establish service standards and use reporting to measure program effectiveness and accountability.
• Analyze HR data, including case volume, turnover, and service-level metrics, and present findings and recommendations to leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including HR generalist or HR business partner work.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, and ADEA.
• Experience with state of California employment laws related to wage and hour requirements.
• Comfort navigating HR information systems and the Microsoft Office suite, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint presentation development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to influence and advise senior leaders.
• Strong critical thinking and data skills, including the ability to summarize findings and present recommendations clearly.
• Ability to apply strategic concepts to develop practical HR solutions that support business goals.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and respond promptly to time-sensitive issues.

Technologies

• HRIS
• Microsoft Office
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• Paylocity

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match (if applicable)
• Paid time off and company holidays
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a union environment, including interpreting collective bargaining agreements and supporting grievance processes.
• Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.
• Working knowledge of benefits plan provisions and contract language.
• Experience in a client-facing or shared-services HR model.
• Experience using Paylocity.

Compensation

Base salary range: $75,000 - $90,000 per year.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year.

Location / Work Model

• On-site role located in Deerfield, IL
• Hybrid remote in Deerfield, IL 60015
• Ability to commute: Deerfield, IL 60015 (Required)