Mayer Brown LLP is a leading global law firm with offices in 27 key business centers across the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. We are a collegial, collaborative, and diverse 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.

The HR Manager leads the HR Generalist function for the Houston office, serving as a strategic partner to office, practice and administrative leadership and providing direction and oversight for HR activities supporting all employees (lawyers and staff). Consults with a variety of stakeholders to translate the Firm’s business objectives into actionable, integrated solutions. This role will use data and a collaborative approach to seek out hidden opportunities and make proactive solutions to help advance our business.

This role manages a Houston HR Specialist and partners with national team members to bring together HR services across the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, orientation, compensation, learning & development and employee relations, as well as engagement, culture, and diversity and inclusion. This role works as part of a global HR team who are striving to deliver a high quality experience for lawyers and business services staff.

Essential Functions:

• Proactively works with office and practice leaders (e.g. Office Managing Partner and Director of Administration) and department heads to align and execute HR programs and initiatives in support of business plans and objectives

• Manages locally escalated Employee Relations and other complex situations

• Participates in budget allocation for staff merit salary increases and bonus process

• Assess and maintain headcount documentation for review/strategic planning

• Conduct new hire orientations for attorneys and staff. Communicate firm policies and procedures
• Work with US HR benefits team matters, staff leave of absence, worker’s compensation claims and any staff payroll matters
• Respond to inquiries regarding policies, procedures and firm programs

• Collaborates with senior management in the preparation and maintenance of the Houston Office HR budget

• Works closely with HR central functions (recruiting, learning & development, compensation, benefits and well-being, etc.) to develop HR programs and policies and implement them locally
• Coordinate with recruitment team to identify hiring needs, develop hiring strategies and support interview and selection process
• Administer orientation activities and ensure successful transfer to the firm, including technology training, benefits, introduction to the local office, etc.
• Administer Performance Appraisal process for attorneys and business services staff
• Partner with Compensation team to participate in salary surveys; review and analyze market data and internal information to maintain internal equity and maintain market competitiveness
• Works with the U.S. Attorney Student Recruitment team to oversee the management of the Summer Associate program in Houston, including orientation, work assignments, evaluations, events, mentors, training, diversity initiatives, budget and offer process in coordination with program leaders.
• Manage the recruitment process for law students and clerks; screen resumes, coordinate on-campus interview schedules, in-office interviews, communications and events; maintain relationships with law school career services professionals; initiate 1L and diversity affinity group outreach events; facilitates meetings, set recruiting strategy, prepares reports working with the Hiring Partner; coordinates the office recruiting activities with the efforts of the other MB offices
• Partner with Learning & Development and the HR Compliance Administrator to ensure the collection, maintenance and administration of information related to CLEs, bar admission and other requirements
• Proactively initiate diversity ideas to ensure we attract a diverse candidate pool and that we retain diverse lawyers who are hired

• 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

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• Knowledge of HRIS systems required, PeopleSoft experience highly preferred
• Experience with Applicant Tracking Systems required

• Minimum of 5 years of related experience preferably in a law firm or professional services setting.

• 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 diverse 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
• 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
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills

• 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
• Able to determine and implement change processes to improve workflow efficiencies
• Process- and service-oriented with strong leadership and project management skills

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.