Senior HR Generalist

About the role

Support HR and talent management functions and initiatives for attorney and professional staff populations in an assigned region. Partner with various HR teams and the firm to advance daily operations, implement HR processes, and support firm-wide HR initiatives at the local level. Operate as a trusted resource to office leadership, managers, and staff. A hybrid work schedule is available for this position.

A career at Nixon Peabody offers the opportunity to do work that matters, using your knowledge to shape what’s ahead. Share, innovate, and learn in a dynamic, energizing environment that promotes success for clients and each other. Benefit from fast growth, connectedness, and training in both business and law, while working alongside top talent.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain effective, positive relationships with personnel at all levels of the firm, with an emphasis on office leadership, operating with confidence and credibility.
• Serve as a trusted point of contact and resource for employee inquiries, concerns, and policy interpretation, exercising professionalism and discretion.
• Act as an initial point of contact for managers and staff requiring guidance on employee relations matters, including performance concerns, workplace conflicts, and appropriate documentation practices.
• Work with office leadership to drive HR and local office initiatives that build culture and foster employee engagement, including mental health, well-being, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Understand, adhere to, and implement firm policies, ensuring local compliance with federal and local employment laws and regulations. Serve as the local expert on Chicago and Cook County employment laws.
• Co-manage HR initiatives and projects under the direction of the Director, Regional HR, taking ownership of assigned workstreams.
• Manage new hire integration for the region, including overseeing onboarding communication, logistics, documentation, and processes, and leading orientation sessions.
• Manage office transfers and other personnel changes.
• Lead the offboarding process for professional staff and non-partner attorneys, including conducting exit interviews, coordinating logistics, and updating the firm's departure site. Support the offboarding process for partners in the region.
• Support performance management matters, including preparing performance-related memos, Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), notification scripts, and transition agreements. Participate in the performance evaluation process for professional staff in the region.
• Partner with the Professional Staff Career Development team on individual training and development plans as needed.
• Support Benefits, Compensation, and HR Programs, functioning as a local point of contact for employee questions regarding benefits, payroll, and other HR-related topics.
• Track leave of absence matters for non-partner attorneys and professional staff in the office and coordinate with the benefits team regarding disability, medical, and parental leaves.
• Assist with audits, maintain required postings for the region, and ensure electronic personnel files are properly maintained.
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging AI technologies in talent management, employment law, and HR processes.
• Support recruiting efforts driven by firm-wide attorney and professional staff recruiting teams, including hosting candidates and participating in interview processes as needed.
• Recommend new approaches and process enhancements to continually improve team efficiency and raise the level of service provided to internal clients.
• Partner with HR Coordinators and colleagues across the Regional HR team to plan and execute a variety of strategic and operational initiatives.
• Perform other responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of 4-6 years of HR experience, preferably as an HR Generalist within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, Human Resources (or a related field), or commensurate work experience required. HR certification (e.g., PHR, SHRM-CP) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to act with integrity, professionalism, discretion, and a strong commitment to confidentiality.
• Self-motivated and proactive, with a proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and propose thoughtful solutions with minimal supervision.
• Solid working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment and benefits laws and regulations, and of core HR functions and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to build and foster relationships with personnel at all levels, including office leadership, and to operate with confidence in their presence.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and effectively resolve conflicts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to independently draft clear and professional employee relations documentation, action plans, and communications for review.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills, with meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet varying deadlines.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to learn quickly and apply new knowledge to practical issues.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Comfortable using various video conferencing platforms and collaboration tools, such as WebEx Teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel to other offices as needed, and flexibility to work extended hours as needed.

Pay

The anticipated annual salary range for this position in Chicago, IL is $77,500 to $114,950. In addition to a standard benefits package, this role may be eligible for additional contingent compensation based on factors such as work performance, geographic location, work experience, education, and qualifications.

Benefits

This role includes a standard benefits package.