People Operations Manager

Kahana & Feld LLP•New York, NY

19d•$100,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The People Operations Manager plays a critical role in supporting and strengthening our people operations department. This position is responsible for overseeing employee benefits administration, coordinating payroll with our external vendor, overseeing the firm’s safety programs and policies, managing timekeeping compliance, and guiding employee relations matters including disciplinary actions and terminations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
2+ years of progressive HR experience, including benefits administration and employee relations.
Strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations (e.g., FMLA, FLSA, ADA, COBRA).
Experience coordinating payroll with third-party vendors or payroll processing.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism.
Proficiency with HRIS and timekeeping systems.
Must be proficient with Microsoft Excel.

Nice To Haves

Law firm or professional services experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Benefits Administration
Serve as the primary point of contact for benefits-related matters, including health, dental, vision, life, and retirement plans.
Coordinate with benefits brokers and vendors to implement annual renewals, resolve employee issues, and ensure plan compliance.
Process uploads and registrations in benefit platforms as necessary (such as benefits enrollment platform, 401k, commuter benefits, etc.)
Develop and deliver employee benefits orientation and open enrollment sessions.
Maintain and update benefits documentation and intranet resources.
Payroll Coordination & Timekeeping Oversight
Liaise with the payroll vendor to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
Respond to employee inquiries regarding payroll issues and questions; coordinate resolution with the vendor.
Audit and approve timecard submissions and payroll reports in coordination with department leaders; ensure employee timecards are accurate and timely.
Train new managers and employees on timekeeping procedures.
Monitor compliance with federal, state, and firm timekeeping policies.
Coordinate with billing and accounting to ensure appropriate funds are available.
Employee Relations & Support
Provide guidance and coaching to managers and employees on employee relations matters.
Conduct and document employee relations meetings, performance improvement plans, including disciplinary actions and termination.
Ensure consistent application of firm policies and compliance with employment laws.
Maintain confidential personnel files and records.
Ensure timely and compliant execution of offboarding tasks, including exit interviews, access removal, and knowledge transfer.
Safety, Risk Mitigation & Emergency Preparedness
Design and oversee the firm’s enterprise-wide safety and emergency preparedness strategy.
Establish and maintain firmwide protocols for crisis management, including natural disasters, public health emergencies, workplace violence, and cybersecurity incidents, in collaboration with legal, facilities, and IT teams.
Lead cross-functional emergency response teams across all office locations.
Partner with external consultants, insurance providers, and regulatory agencies to proactively manage risk.
Prepare and disseminate emergency communications for all offices, ensuring timely and accurate information is shared.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as the primary liaison for Texas and east coast and secondarily serve as a firmwide HR resource supporting additional geographies as needed.
Provide advice and coach managers on policy application and employee relations concerns.
Partner with leaders to support workforce planning, team development, and employee engagement.
Collaborate with payroll, finance, and legal teams to ensure accurate and timely HR operations.
Performance & Development
Develop and implement a thorough performance evaluation process.
Coordinate performance review cycles and goal-setting processes.
Support training initiatives and identify opportunities for employee growth and skill-building.
Other Duties
Ensure practices comply with labor laws, regulations, and employment policies.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records.
Utilize the HRIS to process employee updates and changes.