Director of Human Resources - U.S. - (Flexible Schedule) at Reed Smith LLP

Firm Information

Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. Our deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for complex disputes, transactions and regulatory matters.

Our team of 3,000 people (including more than 1,600 lawyers) across more than 30 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, operate as one global partnership to drive progress for our clients, for ourselves and for our communities.

Position Summary

The Director of Human Resources – U.S. provides key leadership and oversees the daily HR operations across the firm’s U.S. offices. This position requires expertise in all facets of human resources to drive the firm’s strategy of attracting, developing, and retaining top talent at all levels. The Director will ensure the implementation of innovative, best-practice HR programs and processes. 

 

The role encompasses a broad range of HR responsibilities, including full-cycle professional staff recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, professional staff compensation, employee engagement/relations, compliance, policy and procedure development, centralization and shared services, project management, HRIS, reporting/analytics, and process improvement. Additionally, the Director will lead efforts to optimize HR operations by reengineering processes to improve service quality and efficiency. 

 

This position requires a dynamic and forward-thinking leader with a proven ability to harmonize HR strategies with organizational goals, ensuring the firm remains at the forefront of talent development and innovation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision, and coaching to the U.S. HR team, fostering a high-performance culture and ensuring alignment and excellence in service delivery.
• Oversee and guide Global Solutions – Pittsburgh to deliver a broad range of centralized HR services, leveraging technology and driving continuous improvement.
• Manage the U.S. HR Business Partner function for professional staff, ensuring effective alignment of HR strategies with organizational goals. This includes leading key processes such as performance management, talent development, and employee relations while maintaining accurate and comprehensive documentation.
• Oversee the firm’s U.S. flexible benefit plans and wellness initiatives working closely with the firm’s benefits team and outside brokers and vendors.
• In collaboration with the Director of Legal Personnel and Compliance, develop policies, procedures and documentation related to organizational, change management, recruitment, succession planning and people matters.
• In collaboration with the Director of Legal Personnel and Compliance, ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local labor laws, legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting the HR function.
• Benchmark and contribute to the ongoing development and administration of the firm’s professional staff compensation and rewards and benefits strategies, ensuring that they are competitive in the market, clearly articulated, and consistent with the firm’s performance culture.
• Lead and direct the ongoing development and deployment of the firm’s global performance management process, including competency-based promotion and evaluation criteria.
• Champion and lead the design, communication and implementation of the firm’s professional staff development programs and processes for leadership development, skills training, mentoring and advancement.
• Oversee the life cycle of onboarding, offboarding and job change activities.
• Advise on and help resolve employee relations and personnel matters, working directly with leadership in other functional service departments.
• Demonstrate the firm’s commitment to DEI in all aspects of HR activities, decisions and initiatives and work with DEI team to create and implement plans, policies and programs to reflect that commitment.
• Responsible for the U.S. budget for the Human Resources cost center, which includes on-going review of overall spending and forecasting.
• Manage the annual merit increase budget for professional staff, professional staff bonus budgets, geographic differentials, market pricing, and employee recognition programs.
• Collaborate with members of the Europe, Middle East and Asia HR teams on various matters.
• Understand the payroll function and coordinate HR processes to align with various payroll deadlines and requirements.
• Provide oversight of HR technical systems and internal systems that reflect HR data uploads, including Peoplesoft HRIS, time/absence tracking, and internal firm directory.
• Conduct, document and oversee internal investigations, coordinating with in-house counsel.
• Support and conceive activities designed to increase employee recognition and morale.
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends and employment legislation to ensure compliance and benchmarking.
• Complete and/or provide support to the CHRO and other firm leaders on special projects.

 

Job duties and responsibilities included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job duties and responsibilities at any time. 

Requirements

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in HR or related discipline required. Advanced degree and professional certifications (SHRM, HRCI, CCP, CEBS, etc.) are desirable and certifications must be maintained.

Experience:  Minimum of 12 years in a demonstrated HR leadership role. Prior law firm or other professional service firm experience is required, particularly in a partnership organizational structure. Supervisory experience of both remote and local employees required.

Skills: 

Advanced knowledge of U.S. employment laws and human resources best practices. 

Strong leadership, management, and organizational skills, with a high level of customer service orientation. 

Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills. 

Ability to exercise sound judgment. 

Well developed interpersonal and communications skills, including listening, coaching and dealing effectively with employee relations issues. 

Ability to build effective relationships at all levels. 

Proven analytical ability and ability to influence decision-making processes. 

Ability to handle multiple competing priorities. 

Must be flexible and able to adjust one’s style and approach depending upon the issue and the people involved. 

 

Other

Supervisory Responsibilities:  Directly supervises 6 HR professionals and indirectly supervises centralized US HR, HRIS, U.S. Benefits, U.S. Staff Recruiting, and local office/HR managers. 

Equipment To Be Used:  Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, fax, machine, copier, scanner, etc.

Essential Job Functions: 

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to make judgment decisions and adapt to changing situations.

Ability to effectively communicate with various personalities at all levels.

Exceptional organizational and time management skills.

Keen problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities and solutions-oriented thinking. 

Must be able to travel for meetings or training as necessary. 

Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods, intense eye usage, and finger, hand and wrist dexterity associated with prolonged computer use.

Ability to utilize technology, including computers and telecommunication devices.

Working Conditions:  You will be required to work in the office a minimum of 2 days per week. Must have flexiblity to work hours in excess of your normal daily schedule when needed.

Pay Ranges:

This represents the presently-anticipated low and high end of Reed Smith’s pay range for this position. Actual pay may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location and experience.

• Pittsburgh: $222,000 - $255,000

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Benefits Package Overview:

• 401k Plan
• Medical
• Health Savings Account
• Virtual Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Accident Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Lyra Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Family Leave (for eligible Exempt and Non-Exempt Staff)
• College Savings Plan
• Transportation Benefit
• Back-up Child Care
• College Coach
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Sick Time 
• Paid Time Off 
• Excess Liability Insurance 

 

Reed Smith offers a challenging work environment, business casual dress code and a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, flexible benefits program, tuition assistance, and generous 401 (k) plan.

Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reed Smith's success depends heavily on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran's status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.

Reed Smith provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including in the application and interview process.

Qualified candidates only. No search firms.