Sr Mgr Emp Relations & Compliance

DLA Piper • Chicago, IL

94d • $126,262 - $185,489 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr Manager, Employee Relations & Compliance, will work closely with HR Leadership, Office of General Counsel, and others in Firm Leadership and Management to address employee relations matters for lawyers and business professionals. To include the coaching and counseling of firm lawyers, management and business professionals; ensure the firm's compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws in the US; and have accountability and responsibility for HR policy development and review, and the delivery of employment related training. This position can sit in our Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Tampa, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Raleigh, San Diego, Seattle, Short Hills, Washington DC, or Wilmington office and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Employee Relations, Human Resources or related field.
• 10+ years' experience as a compliance and employee relations professional with an emphasis on handling sensitive employee relations issues and counseling.
• Employee relations experience in a professional services firm preferred.
• Certificates SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP/PHR or SPHR certification preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Able to adapt communication style and message to fit audience; communicates clearly, concisely and able to deliver a compelling message.
• Exceptional written communication skills to ensure the effective drafting of HR policies, training content, investigative reports and summaries.
• Strong analytical skills to assess workplace situations, evaluate information and draw accurate observations.
• Excellent coaching and presentation skills.
• Intermediate to advanced skills with MS Office, HRIS (Workday time and absence knowledge preferred), ServiceNow.

Responsibilities

• Manage the process of responding to and resolving employee issues and concerns, including the management, review and response to requests for reasonable accommodations.
• Direct and lead conflict resolution between individuals.
• Apply firm policies to see HR-related disputes through to resolution.
• Regulatory reporting and partnering with HR Tech & Reporting to align Workday configuration with Firm policy and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Investigate and document complaints and bring to full resolution (discrimination, sexual harassment complaints, hostile work environment, etc.), including but not limited to, interviewing witnesses, maintaining investigation notes, making recommendations for resolution, preparing speaking points, preparing final investigation reports and maintaining investigation files.
• Manage approval and processing of involuntary terminations, including communications with payroll and other parties, as applicable.
• Coach managers and lawyers in facilitating meaningful performance conversations.
• Partner with Talent regarding lawyer performance matters.
• Enable the delivery of regular feedback and development planning for business professionals and lawyers.
• Create and implement a reduction-in-force (RIF) or other downsizing strategy with aligned HRBPs, department/vertical/practice group leadership and Office of General Counsel.
• Draft agreements, age charts and other RIF related documents.
• Create tools/resources to assist in supporting RIF actions.
• Analyze employee performance and create detailed performance improvement plans to bridge identified performance gaps.
• Manage the development, revision, planning, approval and execution of HR policies and initiatives, as well as support processes, tools, and training for policy management.
• Stay current with all federal, state and local regulatory requirements for US offices (inclusive of Puerto Rico), Brazil, and Chile, including awareness of upcoming changes to regulatory requirements.
• Update or create HR policies to align with regulatory changes.
• Develop trainings and resources related to employee relations, HR policies, coaching, and performance improvement plans.
• Respond to client RFP requests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• 401(k)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree