Director of People Operations
Overview
Joining McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC means becoming part of a team that values your voice, your growth, and your impact on clients, colleagues, and the communities we serve. Since 1935, McNees has been a trusted, client-focused law firm delivering practical, results-driven legal solutions with integrity and a client-first philosophy.
Responsibilities
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and internal policies
Maintain and audit HR processes, documentation, and employment practices to reduce risk
Partner with leadership on compliance matters, investigations, and policy interpretation
Oversee areas such as employee records, wage & hour practices, leave administration, and lifecycle compliance
Serve as a senior escalation point for complex employee relations issues
Advise leaders on performance management, corrective action, and workplace concerns
Lead or oversee investigations and ensure fair, consistent outcomes
Identify trends and implement proactive solutions to strengthen workforce management
Build scalable, consistent HR processes across the employee lifecycle
Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve data integrity, and enhance service delivery
Establish clear procedures for onboarding, job changes, payroll coordination, and recordkeeping
Leverage data, metrics, and reporting to support decision-making and continuous improvement
Provide leadership across HR business partnership, employee relations, HRIS/payroll, compensation & benefits functions
Clarify roles, streamline workflows, and strengthen collaboration across the team
Coach and develop team members to enhance capability in compliance, operations, and client service
Provide oversight and strategic direction for Legal Assistant leadership to ensure alignment in staffing models, performance expectations, and operational support for attorneys and timekeepers
Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant time and attendance monitoring across the organization
Lead HRIS operations, including data integrity, reporting, and system optimization
Assume ownership of the firm’s newly implemented HRIS (Paylocity), ensuring a successful post-launch transition and long-term optimization of the system
Drive adoption, process alignment, and continuous improvement of the HRIS, including refining workflows, enhancing reporting capabilities, strengthening data governance, and maximizing system functionality
Collaborate with compensation and benefits resources to ensure smooth administration of compensation programs, benefits, and employee communications
Partner with firm leadership to assess engagement levels, identify trends, and develop targeted strategies to improve retention, satisfaction, and organizational effectiveness
Oversee employee engagement initiatives, including surveys, feedback mechanisms, and action planning, ensuring follow-through and measurable impact
Equip leaders with tools, guidance, and best practices to enhance team engagement, communication, and performance management
Collaborate with the COO and firm leaders on workforce planning and organizational needs
Translate business priorities into effective HR operations and people practices
Provide data-driven insights to inform planning, engagement, and organizational design
Qualifications
8+ years of progressive HR experience with a strong focus on operations, compliance, and employee relations
3+ years of experience leading HR teams or multi-functional HR operations
Demonstrated success improving HR processes, workflows, and service delivery models
Deep knowledge of employment law and HR compliance
Strong employee relations and investigation experience
Experience overseeing HRIS, payroll, compensation, and benefits functions
Excellent judgment, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive issues
Strong communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills
Preferred
Experience in a professional services or legal environment
HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR)
Experience supporting attorneys, timekeepers, or similar professional populations
Strong background in HR systems, reporting, and process improvement