Human Resources Director

Summary:

The Human Resources Director (HR Director) is responsible for leading and managing the West Coast Local Human Resources function to support the firm’s strategic goals and operational needs. This includes managing business professional recruitment, employee relations, performance management, compensation and benefits, training and development, and ensuring compliance with federal and applicable state employment laws. The HR Director will foster a positive workplace culture and help drive HR initiatives that align with the firm’s mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Consults with Office Managing Partner, Director of Administration, business professional leadership and practice leadership and provides daily HR guidance, trends analysis and metrics, resolves complex employee relations issues and suggests HR strategies.
• Act as consultants, aligning HR practices with firm goals to support the organization’s success.
• Administers or oversees the administration of human resource programs including, but not limited to, compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; productivity, recognition, and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development.
• Implements policies, processes, training, and initiatives to support the firm’s human resource compliance and strategy needs.
• Stays current on recent federal, state and case law changes, and monitors labor law updates and newsletters for changes that affect human resources.
• Interprets and communicates Firm policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with federal and California laws, such as ADA, FLSA, FMLA, CFRA, and EEO.
• Working with the Human Resources Manager, coordinates logistics for West Coast Associate Compensation Committee review meetings, and HR-related issues.
• Manages the exit process for non-legal departing personnel. This process includes processing relevant paperwork and conducting exit interviews.
• Consults with Firm labor attorney as appropriate on human resources matters.
• Works with Firm Immigration attorneys to resolve VISA issues, including petitioning for H1b VISAs, green cards, and other visas.
• Monitors expenditures for the West Coast Human Resources Department to assure control.
• Oversees the maintenance of HR records for the West Coast offices.
• Coordinates with the Payroll department to troubleshoot and resolve payroll and time and attendance issues.
• Performs other related duties as required.

California Applicants: Salaries may vary by location. In Northern and Southern California, the estimated target salary range of this role is $221,000 – $299,000 in addition to bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefit package. Salary determinations are made based on numerous factors, such as, but not limited to, the relevant market and the skill, experience, class or graduation year, and education of the selected candidate.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience
• 10 years overall Human Resources experience (as a generalist)
• 3 years people management experience
• Strong project management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Knowledge and experience working with California State Disability and California Paid Family Leave processes.
• Knowledge and experience working with HRIS systems
• Broad knowledge and experience of multiple human resource disciplines including compensation practices, federal and California employment law, performance management, organizational planning, diversity, organizational development, employee relations, safety, and training development.

Preferred:

• Professional Human Resources (PHR), or Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certification
• Experience with PeopleSoft
• Experience with Performance Management systems

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.