Senior Human Resources Specialist – Baton Rouge

Kean Miller is looking for a talented, driven, and collaborative individual to join our HR team as a Senior HR Specialist. This Sr. HR Specialist will work in conjunction with the HR team to support the Firm’s HR initiatives, shape and execute HR strategies, enhance Firm culture, and promote the growth and development of all support staff and attorneys.

With 200 attorneys from offices in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shreveport, Houston, and The Woodlands, Kean Miller serves the legal needs of the people, businesses and industries that drive the regional economy. Our people provide creative solutions, unique strategies and unparalleled value that allow our clients to perform at the highest level.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
  • Administer employee benefits programs such as group health, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental plans, flexible spending plan, 401(k) retirement plan, and wellness programs.
  • Effectively interpret FMLA and ADA and stays abreast of government changes to ensure compliance.
  • Process and oversee all leave of absence requests and disability paperwork.
  • Inform and advise staff on leave policies, regulations, and requirements; educates employees and managers on their responsibilities including documentation and notice requirements to qualify for and/or to take leave, and/or obtain an accommodation.
  • Support staff and managers regarding the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers compensation, and disability benefits.
  • Survey industry trends and assist in developing initiatives relative to health, wellness, risk management, and retirement.
  • Respond to 401(k) inquiries relating to enrollment, plan changes, and contribution amounts.
  • Work with our 321(b) advisor to set up in-house and web based educational meetings for plan participants.
  • Reconcile monthly billings for all group benefit plans.
  • Manage open enrollment and travel to all offices with our benefits broker to ensure partners and staff are properly communicated with relative to benefit plan options.
  • Ensure all mandatory plan notices are sent out timely in accordance with legal requirements.
  • Maintain all personnel files in compliance with applicable legal requirements.
  • Process required documents through HRIS to ensure accurate record keeping & proper deductions (ex: new hire paperwork, re-hires, terminations, new hire enrollments, payroll changes, re-enrollments, and qualifying event change paperwork).
  • Complete I-9, verifies I-9 documentation, and maintains I-9 files.
  • Stay current with industry trends, labor laws, and regulations to ensure HR practices remain current and compliant.
  • Manage the end of the year performance appraisal process to optimize support staff’s efficiency, productivity, and development.
  • Craft compelling job posts, work closely with industry recruiters and develop recruiting strategies that showcases our Firm’s culture and attract top tier candidates.
  • Troubleshoot, conduct cold calls, brainstorm, and problem solve as needed to fill challenging positions.
  • Conduct salary benchmarking and analyze to ensure competitive pay practices.
  • Support the Chief HR Officer in conjunction with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to foster a culture that values and promotes the contributions of all employees.
  • Support the Chief HR Officer by conducting and analyzing employee data including new hire check-in surveys, employee satisfaction surveys, exit interview feedback, and attrition data to identify trends and patterns.
  • Support the HR team on special projects, firm events, employee engagement programs, and implementation of those initiatives.
REQUIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in HR or related field (or equivalent working experience with training) required.
  • A minimum of five (5) years of HR experience.
  • Relevant HR experience working with leaders in a professional services industry is required.
  • Prior experience working knowledge of multiple disciplines (benefits, compensation, employee relations, recruitment and selection, compliance, training, and development) within HR as well as general business acumen is required.
  • Strong service skills, customer focus mentality with outstanding judgment, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
  • Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.
  • Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure.
  • Excellent writing ability
  • Empathize and work to understand the needs of support staff and attorneys
  • High level of interpersonal skills that enables you to handle sensitive or highly confidential information/situations with discretion.
  • Prior experience with an HRIS and highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

WHAT WE EXPECT:
  • This is a full-time position in our downtown Baton Rouge office.
  • Work schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm
  • Some travel to other offices is required.
WHAT KEAN MILLER OFFERS:
The compensation that is offered to a successful candidate will depend on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience.
Kean Miller provides its employees with a full paid benefits package, collaborative team, professional challenging work environment, stability, paid time off, annual raises in conjunction with performance reviews and robust 401(k) plan contribution.

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates, please send a confidential resume to mary.coghlan@keanmiller.com.

The Firm is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees in full compliance with all applicable state, federal, and local laws and strictly prohibits, and does not tolerate, discrimination against employees, applicants, and others based upon race, color, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, transsexual status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, religion, creed, genetic tests or genetic information, sickle cell trait, or any other status, characteristic, or activity protected by applicable law. This applies to all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer, demotion, discipline, and discharge.