Department: Human Resources
Location: Rochester, NY
Classification: Exempt
Reports to: COO
Summary:
The Director of Human Resources will lead and manage all aspects of HR practices and processes, ensuring the firm attracts, develops, and retains high-performing employees. This individual will oversee and manage a team of HR professionals including Payroll, Recruitment, and Training. This role involves strategic planning, recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration, compliance with employment laws, performance management, and employee development. The Director of HR will serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, driving initiatives to enhance the employee experience and organizational effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and oversee recruitment, onboarding, benefits, compensation, training, performance management, workers' compensation, and the entire employee lifecycle across locations.
- Manage and administer employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, life, and ancillary benefits.
- Manage the open enrollment process, including developing and executing an open enrollment strategy, selecting benefits plans, analyzing usage to ensure optimal plan offerings, and ensuring effective communication and employee engagement.
- Develop a streamlined onboarding process that ensures new employees feel welcomed, understand the firm's culture, policies, and programs, and are seamlessly integrated into their roles.
- Conduct all new hire HR and Benefit onboarding presentations.
- Collaborate with Training & Development Manager to create learning and development programs and initiatives that provide internal development opportunities for employees.
- Assist the Professional Development Committee with benchmarking, performance, compensation review, and evaluation processes.
- Provide guidance to attorneys and managers on addressing and resolving employee issues.
- Manage and execute automated employee performance process.
- Oversee the payroll process for employees and partners to ensure accurate and timely compensation disbursements.
- Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements for employees working in other states.
- Ensure competitive and cost-effective compensation and benefits plans aligned with market trends.
- Respond to benefit inquiries from employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes, and other general inquiries.
- Process and administer all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
- Monitor and ensure the organization's compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations and recommend best practices.
- Communicate changes to firm personnel policies and procedures to employees, ensuring proper compliance and understanding.
- Consult with leadership and managers on compensation, goal setting, and succession planning.
- Investigate employee complaints or concerns and liaise with general counsel on complex employment matters.
- Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Management, or a related field.
- SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent is highly desirable.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
- Strong knowledge of HR laws, regulations, and best practices.
- Experience with ADP Workforce Now preferred.
- Experience with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Proven ability to influence and build relationships with senior leadership and employees at all levels.
- Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
- 10% travel to Buffalo and Albany offices.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. This is a snapshot of the core functions and responsibilities. All inquiries will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. The compensation range for this position is $130,000-$160,000 annually, representing our good faith and reasonable estimate of the potential compensation at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on various factors, including the candidate's qualifications, experience, skill set, and office location.
Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value an open mind, dedication to work, and a collaborative spirit. We hire based on these qualities, a job’s requirements, our business needs, and an applicant’s qualifications. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind—in the hiring process or in the workplace. We comply with the ADA and consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants/employees to perform essential functions. We participate in E-Verify. We will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. We will only use E-Verify once an employee has accepted a job offer and completed Form I-9.
