Human Resources Manager

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Human Resources Manager to serve as the primary HR professional for our Boston office. This role is ideal for a collaborative HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, professional services environment and enjoys balancing strategic partnership with hands-on execution.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary onsite HR resource for the Boston office, aligning local people initiatives with broader business and talent strategies.
• Act as a trusted advisor to office and practice group leadership on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, change management, and people-related matters.
• Act as the primary HR contact for attorneys and business professionals managing employee relations matters, conducting investigations, supporting conflict resolution, and supporting performance management processes.
• Lead onboarding, orientation, offboarding, and employee transition processes, including coordinating employee leaves of absence and other key milestones.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition on recruiting strategies, support talent management and development planning, collaborate with local affinity groups on engagement and community-building initiatives that strengthen workplace culture, and support evolving business needs.
• Oversee the local execution of undergraduate and high school internship programs, ensuring meaningful developmental and learning experiences.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, leverage automation and AI tools, and enhance HR service delivery to focus on higher-value strategic work.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, Firm policies, and Talent procedures, identifying and escalating employment-related risks when appropriate.

Requirements

• Required Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Significant employee relations experience, including investigations and performance management.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the full employee lifecycle.
• Able to manage multiple priorities with strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build trust and collaborate across all levels.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality in sensitive situations in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred

• PHR or SHRM-CP certification.
• Experience within a law firm, professional services, consulting, accounting, or similarly complex client-service environment.
• Experience supporting attorneys, partners, or senior professional staff.

Pay

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Boston. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now." Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland. Equal Employment Opportunity All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.