Manager, Organization Design & Workforce Transformation

Freshfields; New York (NY); On-site; USD 165,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Freshfields US LLP is seeking a motivated Manager to join the HR Strategic Projects team in New York/California. You will deliver strategic People initiatives, focusing on Future of Work, workforce and workplace, with cross-regional collaboration.

The role emphasizes adaptability, strong organization, and proactive priority management in a global professional services environment.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting HR strategic projects or org transformation within HR/People functions.
• Ability to manage mid-complexity projects and coordinate multiple workstreams.
• Strong knowledge of org design, workforce planning and talent practices.
• Analytical, with problem-solving and judgement skills for practical steps.
• Experience in a professional services firm is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support and manage workstreams within strategic People projects from initiation to completion.
• Develop project plans, track milestones, manage risks and draft clear communications.
• Assist in organizational design and workforce planning initiatives.
• Contribute to AI-enabled transformation and change management efforts.
• Maintain stakeholder relationships and report progress and impact.
• Analyse workflows to identify improvements and efficiency gains.
• Support vendor coordination and budget considerations.
• Monitor delivery timelines and quality of outputs.
• Collaborate across regions and functions to ensure alignment.

Skills

HR project mgmt

Stakeholder mgmt

Analytical thinking

Change management

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Planner

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Join a leading firm at the forefront of law, business, and technology. You’ll find yourself part of a global team, tackling the world’s most complex challenges, where big ideas thrive, diverse viewpoints are celebrated, where you can own your own growth and feel supported every step of the way.

ROLE SUMMARY

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Manager to join our HR Strategic Projects team. This dynamic team supports key People initiatives that contribute to the firm's success.

The Manager will support the delivery of strategic People projects across a range of priority areas, helping to develop and implement practical, effective People solutions with key focus on the Future of Work, Workforce and Workplace.

This role requires adaptability, strong organization, and a proactive approach to managing changing priorities aligned to Freshfields’ People Strategy. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across functions and regions to support successful project outcomes.

This role offers an opportunity to contribute to the future of the People Team within a leading professional services environment as part of a global team working cohesively across regions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Project Delivery & Communications: Support and manage workstreams within strategic People projects from initiation through to completion, helping to ensure timely delivery and effective coordination. This includes developing project plans, tracking actions and milestones, supporting risk and issue management, and drafting clear communications on project progress, outputs, and impact for stakeholders.
• Organizational Design: Support the design and implementation of organisational structures that align with the firm's strategic objectives, considering factors such as efficiency, effectiveness, future-readiness, and scalability.
• Workforce Planning: Support the development and implementation of workforce planning approaches that align with current and future talent needs, considering factors such as utilisation, team structure, attrition, recruitment, and skills gaps.
• AI-enabled Transformation: Support the design and delivery of firm transformation initiatives as AI becomes embedded in ways of working, helping assess impacts on roles, skills, processes, operating models, and change readiness across the People function and wider business services teams.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across the firm, including People Team colleagues, business leaders, and project contributors. Communicate project updates clearly and support expectation management.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyse current operational workflows, identify opportunities for improvement, and support the development of practical solutions to streamline processes, reduce complexity, and enhance efficiency.
• Change Management: Support the development and implementation of change management plans that encourage engagement and adoption of new initiatives across the firm.
• Research and Analysis: Conduct research and data analysis to identify internal and external trends and best practices, helping inform the development of People solutions.
• Vendor Coordination: Coordinate with external vendors as needed, helping to monitor delivery, quality, timelines, and budget considerations.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Relevant experience in supporting and delivering HR strategic projects, organisational effectiveness or organization transformation initiatives, or change activity within Human Resources/Talent Management or Human Capital Strategy & Operations teams.
• Experience managing project workstreams or medium-complexity projects, with a track record of supporting successful delivery.
• Good understanding of organisational design principles, workforce planning techniques, workforce transformation and talent management practices.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and judgement skills, with the ability to interpret information and recommend practical next steps.
• Experience working within a professional services firm is desirable.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a distributed team across multiple time zones.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high‑quality work.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and experience with project planning tools such as Microsoft Project or Microsoft Planner.

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in New York and California, Freshfields is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the States of New York and California and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $165,000 to $200,000.

EEO Statement

Freshfields US LLP is proud to be an equal employment employer. Our policies and practices will be free from unlawful discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, military service, disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. We strive to promote an atmosphere that encourages equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices, including sexual harassment.

Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Freshfields US LLP

Freshfields US LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the alternative email address below to contact us about your interest in employment at [e-mail] , or you can send your resume to [e-mail] , or you can call us at [phone].