Manager, Human Resources

Bain & Company • Chicago, IL

13d • $109,500 - $131,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

The HR Manager leads day-to-day HR decision making for general consulting Managers and Senior Managers and partners with the HR Senior Manager on complex and high-risk matters. The role owns local business function processes, including hiring, performance management, and annual review cycles, and delivers strategic and operational HR support across the employee lifecycle. It provides oversight and escalation support for Associate Consultant and Senior Associate Consultant populations through management of an HR Specialist and HR Coordinator.

The position requires strong planning, prioritization, collaboration, and communication skills. It manages and develops an HR Specialist and HR Coordinator and helps drive operational excellence across the Chicago HR team. The role works closely with Chicago HR and Program Management teams, local business function and office leadership, and regional and cross-functional teams including HR Operations, Benefits, Immigration & Mobility, Recruiting, and Office Services. It follows a hybrid model, requiring in-office presence at least three days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field.
• At least 6 years of progressive HR experience.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practices across the employee lifecycle, including performance management, employee relations, compensation, benefits, leaves of absence, and talent development.
• Strong knowledge of local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication, organizational, and project management skills; high attention to detail; and ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and follow through in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven experience managing sensitive employee relations matters and conducting workplace investigations.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, professionalism, and integrity.
• Ability to influence without authority and build credibility across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to learn and evolve.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree or HR certification, such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.
• Experience in professional services, consulting, or another fast-paced, client-focused environment.
• Previous people management experience, including direct supervision of at least one employee.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR contact for assigned cohorts, advising on policies, options, timelines, and next steps, and escalating complex matters as appropriate.
• Oversee core employee lifecycle programs for assigned populations, including transfers, leaves of absence, and offboarding.
• Partner with Program Management on performance management and promotion processes, including ratings and calibration discussions, promotion committee coordination, materials, and communications.
• Advise the Program Management Team on policy and process, documentation, and stakeholder alignment.
• Execute departure and transition processes, including employee consultations, exit interviews, departure documentation, stakeholder coordination, and exit trend analysis.
• Manage complex people matters, including medical leaves, accommodations, performance concerns, employee relations issues, workplace conflicts, policy interpretation, investigations, and sensitive employment decisions, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Manage and develop an HR Specialist and HR Coordinator through coaching, performance feedback, and support for professional growth.
• Set priorities, review work plans, direct team resources, resolve escalations, and make day-to-day HR decisions to ensure effective HR service delivery.
• Lead local business function processes, including hiring, performance management, and annual review cycles.
• Improve Chicago HR processes by identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, leverage technology and AI tools, and implement external best practices, with a focus on administrative and people-movement tracking, onboarding, and cohort-specific programming.
• Provide strategic thought partnership to the HR Senior Manager on team priorities and dynamics.
• Participate in the Office Situational Response Team, supporting incident management and policy application.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent execution of HR activities.
• Support ad hoc HR and talent strategic projects and initiatives as assigned by the HR Senior Manager, Talent VP, or other office leadership.
• Support teammates and local teams during peak workload or coverage needs.
• Support local events, trainings, and programs that reinforce Bain's culture and values.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary performance bonus; the role may also be eligible for other discretionary compensation.
• 401(k) plan with an annual employer contribution of 4.5%, increasing after 3 years of service and fully vested upon start date.
• Medical, dental, and vision programs with 100% of individual employee premiums paid by Bain.
• Generous paid time off, including parental leave, sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Paid life and long-term disability insurance.
• Wellness program.

What This Job Offers

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