People Operations Manager at Established LA-Based Law Firm

Established law firm is looking for a People Operations Manager to join their team. The firm is actively moving from an ad hoc HR function to a structured people infrastructure, and this person will own and support that transition from the ground up. In this role, you'll work closely with the Head of Operations to drive performance management and review cycles, serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations, own benefits administration, evaluate and implement the firm's HRIS, build out structured onboarding/offboarding programs, maintain employment compliance, and keep the employee handbook and other documents up-to-date. Someone who is a clear, direct communicator, a strong problem solver who comes to the table with solutions, and an execution-focused operator. Previous experience as an HR generalist with strong, working knowledge of California employment law. This is a fully in-office role based in Woodland Hills, LA. 110–140K DOE benefits, 401k with matching, and generous PTO.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, including role intake, sourcing, candidate screening, interviews, background checks, and hiring process coordination.
• Partner with hiring managers to define role requirements, competency criteria, and hiring priorities before launching each search.
• Build and refine repeatable hiring workflows that support efficient, consistent, and high-quality staffing decisions.
• Own and improve the onboarding process, ensuring new hires have the tools, access, training, and context needed to contribute quickly.
• Manage the offboarding process end-to-end, including exit interviews, final pay coordination, benefits notifications, access revocation, and required documentation.
• Serve as a trusted point of contact for employee questions and concerns, providing timely, consistent, and professional guidance to employees and managers.
• Support managers through performance conversations, growth plans, and disciplinary processes while ensuring all related documentation is accurate and complete.
• Help maintain a transparent and professional workplace by supporting clear expectations, constructive feedback, and consistent people practices.
• Administer employee leave programs, coordinate required documentation, track timelines, and partner with payroll to support compliance and continuity.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable employment laws and workplace requirements, including wage and hour rules, mandatory postings, I-9 documentation, and required trainings.
• Select, implement, and manage HR systems, ensuring employee records are accurate and workflows support the organization’s growth.
• Maintain and update employee handbooks, policy documents, and HR documentation libraries to ensure policies remain current and accessible.
• Manage relationships with contractors and external partners, including support for proper classification, documentation, and cross-border compliance as needed.

Qualifications:

• 3 years of experience as an HR Generalist or similar role, preferably in a fast-paced professional services, legal, or similar environment.
• Strong practical knowledge of employment law, including wage and hour regulations, workplace compliance, employee relations, and leave requirements.
• Highly organized and execution-focused, with the ability to bring structure, consistency, and process improvement to a fast-moving environment.
• Strong ownership mindset, with the ability to manage employee matters, compliance tasks, and HR workflows thoroughly while keeping leadership updated.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build trust across all levels while maintaining professionalism and discretion.
• Comfortable supporting managers through employee relations matters, performance discussions, policy updates, and process changes.
• Detail-oriented and confident handling documentation, employee records, compliance tracking, and day-to-day HR operations.
• Experience implementing or managing HR systems, documentation libraries, and workflow tools is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing international contractor relationships, including classification and cross-border compliance, is a plus.
• Hands-on experience using Microsoft 365 tools, SharePoint, DocuSign, legal practice management systems, automation tools, and reporting platforms.