Director: Global HR Operations

Mayer Brown•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Mayer Brown is an international law firm that represents major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in complex transactions and disputes. The firm seeks a Director: Global HR Operations to define the strategic direction for the HR Operations team and administer programs, policies, and key imperatives that support the business and deliver a rewarding career experience. This role involves leading and developing a team of technical and operational advisors, overseeing HR processes, systems, data, reporting, global mobility, HR compliance, and other operational matters. The Director will foster a common purpose within the team, balancing challenge and support to empower them to perform at their highest level and deliver exceptional client service. The role will provide centralized services, program support, and budget oversight to the HR team and various Centers of Expertise (COE) to enhance the employee experience. In conjunction with the Director of HRIS, the role will serve as a liaison with the IT function to advance the technology roadmap for COEs such as compensation, benefits, global mobility, recruitment, talent management, community building, and learning & development. The Director will actively identify and manage risk and compliance issues, working closely with the General Counsel’s office on privacy, subject access requests, compliance training, regulatory requirements, background and conflicts checks, law licenses, and visa status tracking. The role represents the HR function in matters related to cross-functional processes, data, and systems integration, informing and prioritizing Firm technology projects including system implementations, upgrades, data governance, and privacy considerations. The Director will also be part of the Business Intelligence Committee, which governs data reporting, analytics, and background checking implementation. This position requires a high degree of independent judgment and decision-making, with a strong emphasis on building and strengthening relationships at all levels and collaborating to deliver solutions.

Requirements

An undergraduate degree or related/comparable work experience
Intellectual curiosity and creative thinking
Professional services experience is essential.
Working internationally and cross-culturally is essential
Strong track record of managing teams for HR Operations, preferably global teams, and managing key HR processes using technology.
Evidence a deep understanding and application in: HR Process Design & Implementation
Presenting people Analytics and insights
Setting and monitoring HR KPIs
HR project management
Organizational design
Service quality management
Budgeting and financial management
Strong technology experience of using - and preferably implementing - any of the following: PeopleSoft Workday Success Factors ServiceNow HR data analytics Performance Management and Onboarding tools HR Knowledge Library Applicant Tracking Learning Management Job Descriptions AI applications for HR, etc.
Ability to inspire, influence and motivate others
Understand the commercial and business context of the legal sector
Ability to see the bigger picture and act accordingly
Practical and innovative
Strength of character and ability to debate and challenge as required
Strategic, logical thinking
Well-developed relationship and stakeholder management skills
Credible professional presence
Proactive, resourceful, takes initiative
Excellent communication, facilitation and negotiation skills
Sound judgement and decision making
Critical thinking
Advanced project management skills
Client service focus
Analytical Skills
Leading global teams

Nice To Haves

Project Management certification (e.g. Prince II) or equivalent experience is preferred
Experience in a global law firm preferred
Experience managing an internal shared service or operations center capability is highly desirable

Responsibilities

Managing and developing the HR Operations team in-line with the strategy and ensuring all activity is adequately resourced
Aligning and efficiently operating the global HR business processes, projects and systems that support them
Project planning, implementation and operational oversight of all employee lifecycle processes, including but not limited to performance evaluations, competencies, client and office secondments mobility, retirement/succession planning, leaves of absence, job descriptions, onboarding and exits
Getting to know and understand the regional HR teams and those running HR processes in each office, as well as the Senior Leaders across Legal and Business Services
Work with HRIS team to manage HR data integration with other Firm systems
Develop standardized procedures and process expertise across the team, liaising with all offices to ensure that the Operations team is delivering
Cross-functional liaison and work planning, particularly relating to Technology, Business Reporting and General Counsel
Overseeing all projects relating to HR Operations to ensure they are delivered efficiently
Taking a Leadership role within the HR function to ensure all core HR processes, are fit for purpose and support the achievement of the Firm’s strategy
Management and development of the HR Knowledge Library and the internal Shared Services teams – based in Chicago (Americas time zone) and London (UK time zone) – to drive global operational standardization, efficiency and expertise, and an exceptional partner and employee experience
In conjunction with the CTO, contribute to the development and continuous review of the HR Strategy that meets the requirements of the Firm and aligns with the Firm's strategic direction
Set the parameters for the prioritization of people and budget resources and high impact changes to be implemented, as relevant to the HR Operations COE
Liaising with the General Counsel’s office to ensure compliance objectives and requirements are achieved, including background and conflicts checking, data privacy/retention, compliance training, law license and visa status, risk management and other Firm or legislative obligations
Global regulatory requirements including secondment administration
Developing and communicating the HR policies, technology, operations, global mobility and HR compliance strategies and development roadmaps
Foster global adoption of standardized processes and systems; manage conflicts in terms of global adherence to established processes, legal compliance and risk management issues, etc.
Responsible for decisions about strategy, best practice, program offerings, HR spend, etc.
The role holder will stay at the forefront of HR process innovation. They will identify new opportunities and innovative approaches to ways of working and drive effective adoption of technology and best practices
In coordination with leaders of HR COEs, oversee the annual development of the HR operations budget for projects, expenses and headcount and provide reporting to appropriate stakeholders who need to monitor the spend against the budget
Management of HR Operations that includes: Global Mobility, HR Projects, and Compliance and internal Central HR or HR Shared Services
Serves on the senior leadership team for HR