HR Manager - job 1 of 2

About the Company

Our client is a rapidly scaling, private equity-backed platform operating across multiple professional services studio locations throughout the eastern United States. With aggressive acquisition activity underway and significant growth expected to continue, they are building out a centralized corporate infrastructure to support their expanding network of offices. This is an organization in an exciting phase of transformation — building something meaningful at scale, with strong executive visibility and a performance-driven culture.

The Opportunity

As the company accelerates its acquisition and integration strategy, it is formalizing a centralized HR function to bring consistency, compliance, and accountability across all studio locations. This is a newly created, platform-level HR Manager role — and a genuine opportunity to own and build the HR infrastructure from the ground up.

This is a hands-on, execution-focused position for an HR professional who thrives on precision, documentation discipline, and multi-state compliance. You will serve as the primary HR point of contact for all studio locations, reporting directly to the COO.

What You'll Do

• Implement and enforce company HR policies and procedures across all studio locations
• Serve as the first point of contact for studio-level HR questions and employee relations matters
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across multiple states
• Execute standardized hiring, onboarding, and termination processes according to company standards
• Maintain complete, organized, and audit-ready employee files and HR documentation
• Administer and process benefits enrollment, changes, and compliance requirements
• Coordinate with Accounting/CFO to ensure payroll execution aligns with company policy
• Implement and manage standardized offer letters, employment agreements, and contractor agreements
• Maintain accurate employee records, status changes, and required HR filings
• Respond to all studio HR related matters
• Ensure zero material HR compliance violations across any studio location
• 100% of new hires onboarded using standardized HR systems and documentation
• Maintain complete employee files and ensure they are audit-ready at all times
• All benefits enrollments processed within 5 business days of eligibility
• Ensure all terminations executed with proper documentation and legal compliance

Location & Travel

This role is hybrid role within one of the following States:

• New York City (Manhattan)
• Long Island, NY
• Kansas City, MO
• Cleveland, OH
• Fort Myers, FL
• Grand Rapids, MI
• Wilmington, DE

Occasional studio visits may be required. Travel is minimal (10%).

• Bachelor's degree in HR
• Strong multi-state employment law and HR compliance knowledge

• HR leadership experience within professional services, engineering, architecture, or similar multi-site environments, PE-backed environments
• Exceptional documentation habits and process discipline
• Responsive, accurate, and calm under pressure — you can juggle competing priorities without dropping the ball
• Experience supporting a multi-entity or multi-location organization

Preferred:

• SHRM-CP or PHR certification
• HRIS experience

• Base Salary: $80,000 – $110,000 depending on experience

• Performance Bonus: Tied to compliance accuracy, onboarding timeliness, and documentation completeness
• Benefits: 401(k), healthcare, competitive PTO and paid holidays

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.

Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.

Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.

Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.

Privacy and Pay Equity:

• California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com.
• Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.
• Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.

State-Specific Information:

• Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.
• Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.
• New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.

Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.

Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.

Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.

Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.