NFC is looking to hire an experienced and highly professional Human Resources Manager to serve as a strategic HR partner to the Managing Partner and West Coast leadership team for Nukk-Freeman & Cerra, PC Employment Attorneys. This part-time position is based in our San Diego office and will support attorneys, associates, and administrative professionals throughout California, with responsibilities expected to expand as the firm’s regional footprint grows.
The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in California employment law, HR compliance, employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives. This individual will act as a trusted advisor to firm leadership, balancing hands-on HR execution with thoughtful counsel to foster a collegial, high-performing, and inclusive workplace.
Working closely with the firm’s East Coast HR team and local California managers, this individual will serve as the primary HR presence for California offices, helping to adapt and implement firmwide initiatives in a manner that reflects regional business needs, employment requirements, and cultural nuances.
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday (8:30 am – 5:00 pm); limited overtime as needed
Classification: Non-Exempt Position
Reports to: Managing Partner
Location: San Diego, California (Hybrid)
Key Responsibilities:
Employee Relations & HR Advisory
- Serve as the primary HR resource for attorneys, associates, and professional staff across California offices.
- Provide guidance to managers and proactively and thoughtfully address employee relations matters, including performance management, coaching, conflict resolution, leaves of absence, accommodations, and workplace concerns.
- Conduct prompt, thorough, and confidential investigations when appropriate.
- Ensure consistent application of firm policies and employment practices.
California Employment Law Compliance
- Maintain working knowledge of California employment laws and regulations, including wage and hour requirements, paid leave programs, harassment prevention, and accommodations.
- Partner with the Director of Human Resources and outside counsel, when necessary, on complex employment matters.
- Review and recommend updates to employee policies, handbooks, and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance.
- Support annual compliance initiatives, required trainings, and regulatory reporting obligations.
Talent Acquisition & Talent Management
- Collaborate with the firm’s legal recruiter to support hiring needs and candidate interviews and assessments within the California offices.
- Lead and coordinate certain aspects of the onboarding process to ensure a seamless transition and successful integration of new hires within California offices.
- Support performance management, professional development, and talent retention initiatives in collaboration with the Director of Human Resources.
Culture & Employee Engagement
- Champion initiatives that foster an inclusive, collaborative, and engaging workplace culture aligned with the firm’s values.
- Develop employee engagement, recognition, and wellness programs designed to enhance the employee experience, and work with local operations team members to implement them.
- Maintain a visible and approachable presence in the San Diego office while supporting colleagues across other California locations.
- Help strengthen the firm’s reputation as an employer of choice as its California presence continues to grow.
HR Operations
- Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation in accordance with firm policies and legal requirements.
- Coordinate benefits administration, leave management, and HRIS updates in partnership with HR colleagues, vendors, and administrators on the East Coast.
- Support special projects and strategic initiatives related to firm growth, workforce planning, and organizational effectiveness.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, including significant experience in employee relations and workplace culture initiatives.
- Strong working knowledge of California employment law is required.
- Experience supporting law firms or other professional services organizations is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated success building positive workplace cultures and partnering effectively with senior leaders.
- Excellent judgment, discretion, and ability to manage sensitive information confidentially.
- Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification is a plus.
- Ability to work approximately 25 hours per week, including three days per week in the San Diego office, with flexibility to support additional California offices as the firm’s regional presence expands.
Salary Range based on full-time: $75k – 95k
The Firm is providing this good-faith salary range to comply with applicable law. The applicant’s final salary will depend on a number of factors, including the applicant’s skills, experience, and years of practicing employment law.
Performance and Hours-Based Bonuses: This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary performance-based bonus (percentage of salary).
Benefits: This position is eligible for many additional benefits, including paid time off, sick time, medical and dental benefits, 401K contribution (and matching).
If you are interested in applying for this role or know someone who could be a good fit, please send your resume to jsantiago@nfclegal.com