4380 - Director, Regional HR

The Regional HR Director is responsible for the oversight and management of the Human Resources and Talent Management functions and processes for attorney and staff populations within an assigned region. Ensures efficient and effective execution of HR programs and processes, and consistent interpretation and application of HR policies. Operates as a strategic partner to the firm's leadership team, including the Chief Human Resources Officer, Department Heads, Practice Group Leaders, and Functional Area Leaders to create and implement organizational strategies that reinforce expectations of high performance and aid in the achievement of business objectives. Participates in the planning, development, leadership, and execution of various programs and initiatives designed to educate and support the workforce and foster the firm's culture of inclusivity, engagement, and high performance. Works to cultivate an environment where people are challenged to do their best work, believe they can make a difference, and instill a passion to grow, learn and innovate. Serves as a leadership partner within the region to ensure the firm's strategic goals are achieved through effective performance management, coaching and counseling for all populations, ongoing legal compliance, and continuous review of organizational, team, and individual effectiveness.

A career at Nixon Peabody is the opportunity to do work that matters. It's the chance to use your knowledge to shape what's ahead. To share, to innovate, to learn at a firm that taps the power of collective thinking.

We've created a dynamic, energizing environment that promotes success for our clients and each other. We offer fast growth, connectedness, and training in business as well as law. And our rigorous standards assure you are part of a diverse team of top talent at every turn.

If you're someone who's looking toward the future, we'd love to hear from you.

Reporting Relationships:

This position reports to the Chief Human Resources Officer with a strong matrix relationship with relevant Office Managing Partners, Department Heads, and the Chief Talent Officer. This position directly supervises HR Generalist or Manager.

Location: Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA

Strategic Planning and Implementation and Special Project Management:

• Participates in the planning, development, and implementation of the firm's human resources strategies, policies, and programs that support the firm's overall business objectives.
• Leads, directs and/or participates in various firm or HR-related special projects and committees involving cross-functional teams.

Communication:

• Establishes clear and effective lines of communication to keep all regional personnel informed on Human Resources matters and ensure HR policies are fairly and consistently applied.
• Acts as a primary point of contact for regional employee questions regarding benefits, payroll, employment, policies and procedures, and other HR-related questions.

Employee Relations:

• Conducts workplace investigations and escalates employee claims and/or reports of inappropriate workplace behavior to senior leaders as necessary.
• Manages staff and attorney involuntary terminations with appropriate PPC partner, labor and employment counsel, practice group leader, functional leader, or manager/supervisor.
• Drafts and delivers written warnings and performance improvement plans to staff and attorneys as needed with input from the relevant practice group leader, PPC partner, functional leader, or manager/supervisor.
• Coaches managers and attorney leaders to ensure appropriate documentation of performance problems.
• Consults with designated labor and employment counsel on employee relations matters as necessary.
• Plans and promotes employee engagement, mental health and well-being, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Manages the interactive process for accommodation requests.
• Guides the facilitation of leave of absence processes and related communications and tracking.
• Provides one-on-one counseling regarding changes in practice group assignments, new work arrangements, promotions, or changes in job responsibilities.

Team Work:

• Works in conjunction with all HR functional teams on attorney and staff programs and initiatives.
• Collaborates with relevant functional areas to implement staff and attorney arrival logistics (orientation, on-boarding, and integration) and departure processes.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensures compliance with all local, state, and federal employment laws, including required health and safety plans and programs; works with managers and functional area leaders to ensure proper implementation and maintenance of health and safety plans and programs.
• Works with the firm's immigration attorneys on all immigration (inbound and outbound) and visa issues for all attorneys and staff within the region.
• Ensures consistent application and enforcement of HR policies.
• Provides oversight for attorney business card issuance and language, licensure and bar standing verification, and timely and proper completion of I-9 requirements.

Professional & Career Development:

• Provides feedback to Staff Career Development and Attorney Development and Retention teams to ensure that training needs of the region are met effectively.
• Collaborates with AD&R team on the implementation of associate mentoring and succession planning programs within the region.
• Works with Staff Career Development team to create individual training and development plans for underperforming and growth-seeking employees.

Performance Management:

• Oversees the implementation of performance management processes within the region for associate and staff populations.
• Provides support and coaching to managers and attorney leaders facilitating performance management discussions and corrections.
• Benefits and Compensation:
• Supports execution of overall firm compensation and benefits programs and processes.
• Collaborates with HR Operations team on compensation analyses and increase and bonus recommendations for staff within the region.

HR Generalist Management:

• Directly manages Regional HR Generalist, leads by example, and provides Generalist with clear guidance and direction.
• Identifies learning and growth opportunities, provides meaningful and constructive performance feedback, and engages in regular one-on-one communication.
• Ensures workload and required performance standards are realistic, achievable, communicated, understood, and in line with the Generalist job description.

Performs other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each essential job responsibility listed above, satisfactorily. Nixon Peabody retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position. The requirements listed below are representative of the skills and abilities required.

• A Bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree in business, human resources, or counseling is desirable. HR certification preferred
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressively responsible human resources experience in a law firm or other professional services environment, particularly in employee relations and talent retention
• Working knowledge of federal, California, and local employment and benefits laws and regulations
• Demonstrated coaching and counseling skills
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; strong presentation skills
• High level of emotional intelligence and cultural competency, with demonstrated ability to utilize a variety of conflict resolution techniques
• Passion for matters of mental health and well-being, and diversity and inclusion; experience implementing related programming and practices a plus
• Strong supervisory and team-building skills
• Sound business judgment
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills
• Keen attention to detail
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, including the ability to manage numerous projects concurrently
• A proactive approach and the ability to work "hands-on" as required
• Competence and comfort utilizing various technologies, including video conferencing and team collaboration tools, such as WebEx teams
• Ability to travel to other NP Offices

Nixon Peabody LLP is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: Disability / Veteran. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

In accordance with applicable Federal and State laws, the anticipated annual salary range for this position, depending on location, is as follows: Los Angeles, CA: $163,500 to $251,900; San Francisco, CA: $180,000 to $277,200

In addition to a standard benefits package, this role may be eligible for additional contingent compensation based on an array of factors, including but not limited to: work performance, geographic location, work experience, education, and qualifications. Because such contingent compensation is not yet calculable or may be zero ($0) in some circumstances, the above-listed salary range(s) are Nixon Peabody's good faith estimate of the annual salary(ies) it reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of this posting.

To comply with Federal law, Nixon Peabody participates in E-Verify. All newly hired employees are verified through this electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm their identity and employment eligibility. Please refer to the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work posters on the Nixon Peabody Careers page for more information.

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