Sr Mgr Emp Relations & Compliance

DLA Piper is, at its core, bold, exceptional, collaborative and supportive.  Our people are the backbone, heart and soul of our firm.  Wherever you are in your professional journey, DLA Piper is a place you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career.  Let’s see what we can achieve. Together.

Summary

The Sr Manager, Employee Relations & Compliance, will work closely with HR Leadership, Office of General Counsel, and others in Firm Leadership and Management to address employee relations matters for lawyers and business professionals. To include the coaching and counseling of firm lawyers, management and business professionals; ensure the firm’s compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws in the US; and have accountability and responsibility for HR policy development and review, and the delivery of employment related training.

Location

This position can sit in our Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Tampa, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Raleigh, San Diego, Seattle, Short Hills, Washington DC, or Wilmington office and offers a hybrid work schedule.
Responsibilities        

• Manage the process of responding to and resolving employee issues and concerns, including the management, review and response to requests for reasonable accommodations.

• Direct and lead conflict resolution between individuals. Apply firm policies to see HR-related disputes through to resolution.

• Regulatory reporting and partnering with HR Tech & Reporting to align Workday configuration with Firm policy and local, state, and federal regulations. 

• At the direction of the Office of General Counsel, investigate and document complaints and bring to full resolution (discrimination, sexual harassment complaints, hostile work environment, etc.), including but not limited to, interviewing witnesses, maintaining investigation notes, making recommendations for resolution, preparing speaking points, preparing final investigation reports and maintaining investigation files.

• At the direction of HR Leadership and/or Office of General Counsel, manage approval and processing of involuntary terminations, including communications with payroll and other parties, as applicable.

• Coach managers and lawyers in facilitating meaningful performance conversations. Partner with Talent regarding lawyer performance matters.

• Enable the delivery of regular feedback and development planning for business professionals and lawyers.

• Create and implement a reduction-in-force (RIF) or other downsizing strategy with aligned HRBPs, department/vertical/practice group leadership and Office of General Counsel. Draft agreements, age charts and other RIF related documents.

• Create tools/resources to assist in supporting RIF actions.

• Analyze employee performance and create detailed performance improvement plans to bridge identified performance gaps. In collaboration with managers, determine appropriate corrective action steps up to and including recommendation to terminate the employment relationship.

• Manage the development, revision, planning, approval and execution of HR policies and initiatives, as well as support processes, tools, and training for policy management.

• Stay current with all federal, state and local regulatory requirements for US offices (inclusive of Puerto Rico), Brazil, and Chile, including awareness of upcoming changes to regulatory requirements. Update or create HR policies to align with regulatory changes.

• Develop trainings and resources related to employee relations, HR policies, coaching, and performance improvement plans. Deploy on an ongoing basis.

• Respond to client RFP requests.

• Other duties as assigned.

Desired Skills   

Able to adapt communication style and message to fit audience; communicates clearly, concisely and able to deliver a compelling message; communicates and influences effectively up, down and across all levels. Exceptional written communication skills to ensure the effective drafting of HR policies, training content, investigative reports and summaries and drafting of effective performance improvement plans, etc. Ability to interact and maintain good relationships with employees, management and leadership. Strong analytical skills to assess workplace situations, evaluate information and draw accurate observations. Able to develop clear action plans with results-oriented goals for measuring success, leads due diligence and project plans for timely completion and takes ownership of quality management for work product. Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies (ADA, Title VII, ADEA, FSLA, etc.). Excellent coaching and presentation skills. Intermediate to advanced skills with MS Office, HRIS (Workday time and absence knowledge preferred), ServiceNow. Able to predict and offer solutions to internal clients before they know they need them. Able to establish and maintain strong long-term relationships. Partners with stakeholders and leadership to get input on projects. Understands firm vision and business strategy and incorporates into decision making process. Consistently exceeds performance expectations and invested in professional career development. Freely shares expertise and knowledge to support team, demonstrates political savvy, and uses sound judgement in all situations. Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education    

• Bachelor's Degree in Employee Relations, Human Resources or related field.

Certificates 

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP/PHR or SPHR certification preferred.

Minimum Years of Experience  

• 10+ years’ experience as a compliance and employee relations professional with an emphasis on handling sensitive employee relations issues and counseling. Employee relations experience in a professional services firm preferred.

Essential Job Expectations

While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.

• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.

• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.

• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.

• Foster positive work relationships.

• Comply with all firm policies and practices.

• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed.

• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people.
Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.    

Work Environment    

The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in-office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm’s discretion in the future. 
Disclaimer    

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment. 
 

Application Process     

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email. 
 

Accommodation    

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact [email protected]. 

Agency applications will not be considered.  

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.    
The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $126,262 - $185,489 per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location.
 

The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).
 

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DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. 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. Job applicant poster viewing center.