Human Resources Manager

Title: Human Resources Manager

Duration: Full Time/Direct Hire

Location: In-office at 55 South Market St., Suite 900, San Jose, CA 95113 for the first 90 days. After 90 days, some work-from-home flexibility (based on business need). Must travel periodically to the San Mateo and Pleasanton offices and be physically present for all onboarding/offboarding events.

Comp range: Up to base $175K (Negotiable) Sign-on Bonus Benefits.

Interview Process: 3 rounds!

Why you should join

1. Own the entire HR function. You're not sharing this with another HR manager or reporting into a big HR department. You run it — benefits, employee relations, leave admin, recruiting, performance management — all of it. Direct line to the COO. No layers between you and the decisions that matter.
2. Supervise a real team. You'll manage ~15 direct reports (legal assistants, office services, receptionists) across three Bay Area offices. This isn't a "team of one" generalist gig — you get actual people leadership responsibility from day one.
3. Established firm with 70 years of stability. Founded in 1952 and is a recognized Silicon Valley law firm with deep roots in the Bay Area business community. U.S. News "Best Law Firm" in multiple practice areas. This isn't a startup that might fold — it's a firm that's been here for decades and plans to stay.
4. Competitive comp with bonus upside. $145K–$175K base salary plus year-end bonus eligibility. For candidates slightly above range, they'll offer a ~$10K sign-on bonus. Full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k)).
5. Collegial and supportive culture. The firm prides itself on being collaborative and accessible. Leadership is direct and approachable — no BigLaw politics or bureaucracy. People stay here a long time, and the firm genuinely invests in employee well-being.
6. Flexibility after 90 days. The first 90 days are in-office at the downtown San Jose HQ. After that, there is more flexibility depending on business needs. It's not rigid — it flexes week to week.
7. Prime downtown San Jose location. The HQ is at 55 South Market Street overlooking San Pedro Square — right in the heart of Silicon Valley. Easy access to restaurants, transit, and the energy of downtown.
8. Global network without the global firm headaches. Through Mackrell International (a Chambers-ranked network in 60 countries), you're part of a firm with international reach but the feel and autonomy of a regional platform.

Hiring manager notes:

Must Have:

1. Directly supervised a team (not just HR processes)
2. Managed FMLA/CFRA/PDL/ADA leave independently
3. Deep California employment law knowledge (wage & hour, anti- discrimination, leaves)
4. Proactive and autonomous — operates without hand- holding
5. Commutable to downtown San Jose 5 days/week (in- office first 90 days, primarily in- office after)
6. Willing to travel periodically to San Mateo and Pleasanton offices (~monthly

Required:

1. 5 - 15 years of experience; 5 years of progressive HR experience with management responsibility
2. HR management experience at a law firm
3. Full- cycle benefits administration (medical, dental, 401k, open enrollment)
4. Full- cycle recruiting for non- attorney/business professional roles
5. Experience as sole or lead HR manager owning the function end- to- end
6. HRIS and ATS proficiency (any platform)
7. Employee relations: conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, PIPs
8. Performance management and annual review cycle administration
9. Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field
10. Sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information
11. Strong interpersonal skills; collegial and approachable demeanor

Nice to Have:

1. Professional services experience (accounting, consulting) if not a law firm
2. SHRM- CP, SHRM- SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification

Red Flag:

• Candidates who prefer or require remote/hybrid- first arrangements
• Candidates with short tenure patterns (left roles within 6- 12 months repeatedly)
• HR generalists with no direct supervisory experience over staff
• Candidates living far from San Jose with a difficult or unrealistic commute

What we're looking for:

We need an experienced HR Manager with 5 years of progressive HR experience — including meaningful time managing direct reports — who can own the full HR function at a well-established Bay Area law firm. You should be comfortable operating as the primary HR leader for ~100 employees across three offices, with deep knowledge of California employment law (FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA, wage & hour). Law firm experience is strongly preferred; professional services backgrounds (accounting, finance) will be considered if all other requirements are met.

What you'll do:

• Serve as the primary HR advisor to firm leadership, reporting directly to the COO, and develop and maintain HR policies across all three Bay Area offices (San Jose HQ, San Mateo, Pleasanton)
• Directly supervise a team of ~15 staff members — including legal assistants, office services staff, and receptionists — spread across all offices
• Manage full-cycle benefits administration (medical, dental, vision, life, HSA, FSA, 401(k)), including open enrollment, broker/carrier management, and vendor relationships
• Independently handle leave management (FMLA, CFRA, PDL, ADA accommodations) and provide guidance on employee relations matters, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions
• Own full-cycle recruiting for all non-attorney/business professional roles — from job postings and screening through interviewing and offers — using FlowRecruit ATS
• Lead onboarding for both business professionals and attorneys, ensuring a consistent and welcoming experience across all offices
• Drive the annual performance review process for business professionals, including goal-setting, feedback facilitation, and compensation review coordination
• Maintain HRIS records and reporting (Paylocity for payroll), ensure compliance with California-specific employment regulations, and manage day-to-day HR operations

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR advisor to firm leadership on personnel matters, workforce planning, and organizational development
• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies, procedures, and best practices
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws
• Manage full-cycle benefits administration
• Independently manage leaves of absence
• Provide guidance and support on employee relations matters
• Lead full-cycle recruiting efforts for business professionals
• Manage onboarding for both business professionals and attorneys
• Oversee annual performance review processes
• Manage and execute day-to-day HR operations and administrative functions