Legal Support Manager (Human Resources)

KLR Executive Search Group is proud to partner exclusively with a respected full-service law firm with offices in Worcester, Boston, and the Metro West area. They are currently seeking a Human Resources & Legal Support Manager to join their Worcester office. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced HR and people leader who enjoys balancing day-to-day human resources responsibilities with hands-on management of a legal support team in a fast-paced law firm environment.

The Opportunity:

This is a highly visible hybrid leadership role combining broad HR management responsibilities with direct oversight of the firm’s legal support function. Partnering closely with the Chief Human Resources Officer and other members of firm leadership, this individual will help lead key HR initiatives across the firm while also serving as the direct manager of the legal support team. The role offers a unique opportunity to balance day-to-day people leadership with broader operational and strategic initiatives, including staffing, workflow design, training, and process improvement, making it an excellent fit for someone who enjoys being both hands-on and forward-thinking in a fast-paced law firm environment.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with firm leadership to manage a broad range of HR functions, including full-cycle recruiting for non-attorney professionals, onboarding, employee relations support, performance evaluation administration, leave administration, payroll processing, and workforce planning initiatives.
• Directly supervise the firm’s legal support specialists, including day-to-day workflow oversight, staffing coverage, overflow coordination, performance management, coaching, evaluations, and professional development.
• Oversee HR operations and systems administration, including management of the firm’s HRIS/payroll platform, reporting, data integrity, and support for compensation, compliance, and employee recordkeeping processes.
• Serve as a key member of the firm’s business leadership team, partnering with HR and operational leadership on strategic initiatives related to staffing models, legal support structure, training, workflow design, and employee engagement.
• Identify opportunities to improve legal support and HR processes, including modernizing workflows, strengthening training, and adapting team structure and support models as technology and firm needs continue to evolve.

Qualifications:

• 5 years of HR, legal support management, or related professional services leadership experience, ideally within a law firm environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required; SHRM or HRCI certification preferred.
• Proven people management experience, including supervision, coaching, performance management, and staffing coordination.
• Broad HR experience across recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, payroll, leave administration, and HR systems.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle confidential matters, manage competing priorities, and support process improvement initiatives.