Director: Human Resources (US)

Mayer Brown LLP • Washington, DC

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world’s major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm’s client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Human Resources department in our Chicago, New York office, or Washington, D.C. office as a Director: Human Resources (US).
The Director: Human Resources (US) is a leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources advisory services across the Firm’s 9 US offices. This position serves as a strategic partner to practice leaders and business services leaders, ensuring consistent, compliant, and effective HR support throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree when the experience has been directly related to the functions of the job
• Significant HR management experience, within a law firm supporting both lawyers and business services employees
• Minimum of 10 years of HR experience, with at least 5 years in a senior HR leadership role
• Exposure to a wide range of lawyer related HR initiatives and programs. Experience of lawyer engagement and retention desirable
• An experienced change manager who has managed complex projects
• Demonstrated expertise in HR operations, employee relations, and employment law compliance
• Experience managing HR functions across multiple locations
• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, and state-specific regulations
• Proficiency with HR platforms, including PeopleSoft, Rival Onboarding, Microsoft Office Suite, preferred
• Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities, with the ability to leverage HR metrics to drive decision-making
• Experience with performance management systems and learning management platforms
• Knowledge of immigration and visa requirements as they relate to secondments and employee mobility
• Familiarity with leave administration systems and accommodation processes
• Understanding of compensation structures and practices within the legal industry
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative, enthusiasm and energy
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Demonstrable problem solving skills with the ability to facilitate problem solving discussions
• Able to lead, motivate and develop a team to achieve objectives. Able to manage change, "see the big picture" and contribute to the development of the HR global strategy
• A highly collaborative team player who leads by example
• Resilient, flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
• Able to prioritize and manage tasks in a high-pressure environment and meet deadlines
• Committed to continuous improvement with strong project management skills
• High level of personal integrity
• A global mind-set and an ambassador for the HR function
• Manages processes for direct reports in regards to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counselling
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations
• Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
• Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner
• May require travel to other offices as needed
• Availability to attend weekend and evening events

Nice To Haves

• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification preferred

Responsibilities

• Oversees day-to-day HR advisory team tasks across all nine US offices, ensuring consistency in policies, procedures, and service delivery
• Contributes to the development of the global HR philosophy, principles and guidelines and implements across all US offices
• Works with HR peers to develop global and regional objectives and ensure HR generalist initiatives, policies and procedures are integrated to support the global HR strategy
• Works with the People Experience team, US Practice Leaders, Office Managing Partners, and the CTO on engagement and retention strategies including work allocation, secondments and talent pipeline
• Develops, implements, and maintains HR policies and procedures in compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Partners with payroll, benefits, and finance teams to ensure seamless HR administration
• Leads continuous improvement initiatives to streamline HR processes and enhance operational efficiency
• Develops and maintains relationships with firm management to ensure that HR is seen as a business partner; gives guidance to the HR team on building business partner relationships
• Serves as a trusted advisor to practice leaders and business services leaders on all people-related matters
• Oversees the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, talent pipeline, performance, offboarding, and transitions
• Manages and enhances the firm's performance management processes, including annual reviews, goal-setting, and feedback mechanisms
• Working with the HR Operations team, oversees and advises on secondment arrangements, including domestic and international placements
• Oversees leave of absence administration, ensuring compliance with FMLA, ADA, and state-specific leave laws
• Working with the General Counsel’s office, handles complex employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions
• Provides guidance on employment law compliance, workplace accommodations, and policy interpretation
• Serves as a liaison between HR function and key stakeholders to ensure responsive and proactive HR support
• Collaborates with the Learning & Development function to ensure an integrated approach to the development of US lawyers and business services employees
• Works with the HRIS, HR Projects, and HR Operations team to manage the annual performance management process for US lawyers, practice professionals and business services employees
• Collaborates with the Compensation and Benefits teams in the roll out of annual programs e.g. the merit and bonus programs
• Works with the Recruitment team to ensure a seamless recruitment and on-boarding process of all lawyers and business services staff
• Ensures that appropriate standards are maintained for US record keeping, applicant tracking data, verification of bar license, academic and identity credentials and personnel records
• Leads and supports in partner and employee communication and engagement initiatives across US offices
• Implements processes to ensure the proposal, approval, communication and implementation of new or revised HR policies is managed efficiently and consistently
• Ensures that US Practice Leaders and Office Managing Partners are briefed of all key HR initiatives and that their feedback is sought to ensure continuous improvement in HR activities
• Leads or participates in HR project teams as required; builds and maintains positive relationships with colleagues globally to deliver objectives
• Ensures the US HR Advisory team maintains market awareness, analyzes implications and generates timely and cost-effective solutions
• Defines team objectives and leads the team to meet them
• Represents the firm with peers and develops external relationships
• Ensures the development of implementation of processes to enable continuous process improvement within the HR function
• Leads, mentors, and develops a team of HR professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning
• Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Benefits

• We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director