Director: Human Resources - Chicago - Mayer Brown

Description

Overview
Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world's major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. We are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do.
We are a collegial, collaborative firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential all while supporting the Firm's client service principles of excellence, strategic partnership, commercial instinct, integrated strengths, innovation, and collaboration across our international firm.
If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are exceptional client service, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Human Resources department in our Chicago, New York office, or Washington, D.C. office as a Director: Human Resources (US).
The Director: Human Resources (US) is a leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources advisory services across the Firm's 9 US offices. This position serves as a strategic partner to practice leaders and business services leaders, ensuring consistent, compliant, and effective HR support throughout the organization.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions:

• Oversees day-to-day HR advisory team tasks across all nine US offices, ensuring consistency in policies, procedures, and service delivery
• Contributes to the development of the global HR philosophy, principles and guidelines and oversees implementation across all US offices
• Works with HR peers to develop global and regional objectives and ensure HR advisory initiatives, policies and procedures are integrated and support the global HR strategy
• Works with the People Experience team, US Practice Leaders, Office Managing Partners, and the CTO on engagement and retention strategies including work allocation, secondments and talent management
• Oversees the development, implementation and maintenance of HR policies and procedures in compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Ensures partnership between HR Advisory and payroll, benefits, and finance teams to facilitate seamless HR administration
• Leads continuous improvement initiatives to streamline HR processes and enhance operational efficiency
• Serves as a trusted advisor to practice leaders and business services leaders on all people-related matters
• Oversees the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, talent pipeline, performance, offboarding, and transitions
• Collaborates with HR Centres of Excellence in delivering pragmatic, commercial, high quality HR solutions for local and global priorities
• Oversees leave of absence administration, ensuring compliance with FMLA, ADA, and state-specific leave laws
• Working with the General Counsel's office, lead complex employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions
• Provides guidance on employment law compliance, workplace accommodations, and policy interpretation
• Works with the HRIS, HR Projects, and HR Operations team to oversee and deliver the annual performance management process for US lawyers, practice professionals and business services employees including goal setting and feedback mechanisms
• Ensures that appropriate standards are maintained for US record keeping, applicant tracking data, verification of bar license, academic and identity credentials and personnel records
• Leads and supports in partner and employee communication and engagement initiatives across US offices
• Ensures that US Practice Leaders and Office Managing Partners are briefed of all key HR initiatives and that their feedback is sought to ensure continuous improvement in HR activities
• Supports the team to deliver excellence by setting clear objectives and providing regular developmental feedback
• Represents the firm with peers and develops external relationships, sharing knowledge and learnings with the wider team function
• Leads, mentors, and develops a team of HR professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning
• Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Qualifications
Education/Training/Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be considered in lieu of the degree when the experience has been directly related to the functions of the job

Professional Experience:

• Significant HR management experience, within a law firm supporting both lawyers and business services employees
• Minimum of 10 years of HR experience, with at least 5 years in a senior HR leadership role
• Exposure to a wide range of lawyer related HR initiatives and programs. Experience of lawyer engagement and retention desirable
• An experienced change manager who has managed complex projects
• Demonstrated expertise in HR operations, employee relations, and employment law compliance
• Experience managing HR functions across multiple locations
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification preferred

Technical Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, Title VII, FLSA, and state-specific regulations
• Proficiency with HR platforms, including PeopleSoft, Rival Onboarding, Microsoft Office Suite, preferred
• Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities, with the ability to leverage HR metrics to drive decision-making
• Experience with performance management systems and learning management platforms
• Knowledge of immigration and visa requirements as they relate to secondments and employee mobility
• Familiarity with leave administration systems and accommodation processes
• Understanding of compensation structures and practices within the legal industry

Performance Traits:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative, enthusiasm and energy
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Demonstrable problem solving skills with the ability to facilitate problem solving discussions
• Able to lead, motivate and develop a team to achieve objectives. Able to manage change, "see the big picture" and contribute to the development of the HR global strategy
• A highly collaborative team player who leads by example
• Resilient, flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
• Able to prioritize and manage tasks in a high-pressure environment and meet deadlines
• Committed to continuous improvement with strong project management skills
• High level of personal integrity
• A global mind-set and an ambassador for the HR function

Management Accountabilities:

• Manages processes for direct reports in regards to performance appraisals, annual compensation, goal setting and performance counselling
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience
• Operational budget analysis and recommendations
• Conducts analysis of staffing levels and participation in the recruitment process
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
• Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills
• Able to set priorities and delegate in an efficient manner

Physical Requirements:

• May require travel to other offices as needed
• Availability to attend weekend and evening events

The typical pay scale for this position in Chicago is between $221,000 and $318,000, in New York between $233,000 and $335,000, and in Washington, D.C. between $225,000 and $325,000, although the actual wage or salary could be lower or higher if the candidate's education, experience, skills and internal pay alignment are different from those specified.
The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.
The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.
We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.
Thank you for your interest in Mayer Brown. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. To request a reasonable accommodation related to the application process and/or job interview, please email All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.