Buffalo
Job DescriptionJob Title: HR ManagerLocation: Buffalo, NYHire Type: Direct HirePay Range: $85,000 - $115,000Work Type: Full-timeWork Model: OnsiteWork Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm Recruiter Contact: Karissa Lubberts, & Scope:Positional OverviewThe Imagine Group is recruiting for a HR Manager on behalf of our client, a leading personal injury law firm based in Buffalo, NY, providing compassionate and results-driven legal advocacy for clients facing serious injuries and wrongful-death claims throughout Western New York. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources operations, including recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and compliance with employment laws and firm policies. You will partner with leadership to support workforce planning, foster a positive and professional culture, and implement HR strategies that align with organizational goals and long-term growth.Role & Responsibility:Tasks That Will Lead to Your Success • Own and manage HR operations across the full employee lifecycle including hiring, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, and offboarding., • Champion a consistent, high quality employee experience by ensuring people’s processes are fair, clear, and aligned with the firm’s values and standards., • Serve as a key leadership partner during periods of growth by scaling people practices, supporting hiring waves, and helping managers lead effectively as teams expand., • Partner with leadership on hiring decisions, candidate evaluation, and offer recommendations., • Act as the firm’s internal authority on federal and New York State employment law and compliance requirements., • Own and administer BambooHR including employee records, onboarding workflows, job changes, PTO tracking, and system accuracy., • Oversee employee benefits administration including enrollments, changes, leave management, and employee communications., • Partner with Accounting and Operations to support payroll inputs, audits, and benefits accuracy., • Maintain and regularly update the employee handbook and HR-related policies to ensure alignment with current law and firm practices., • Develop and deliver training and guidance for managers and team members on HR policies, compliance requirements, and workplace standards including harassment prevention, performance management, and handbook related topics., • Serve as the primary HR partner for managers, providing real-time coaching on performance feedback, corrective action, and accountability., • Lead through influence and partnership by balancing compliance requirements with practical, business-minded solutions that build trust and buy-in., • Establish and reinforce clear boundaries for what HR is and is not responsible for, supporting manager accountability., • Proactively identify compliance risks and recommend changes to policies, practices, or documentation., • Design, administer, and analyze employee surveys and feedback mechanisms, present insights to leadership, and support changes based on results., • Prepare and maintain HR reporting related to headcount, turnover, compliance, and people operations metrics., • Support team members and managers through change by providing clear guidance, communication, and structure in a fast-paced environment., • Support engagement initiatives and internal communications as appropriate while maintaining a professional HR lens.Skills & ExperienceQualifications That Will Help You Thrive, • Significant progressive HR experience with increasing responsibility, including employee relations and performance management, typically seven or more years., • Demonstrated experience supporting organizations through significant growth or organizational change while maintaining consistency, culture, and compliance., • Demonstrated experience operating independently as the primary HR authority in a professional environment., • Strong working knowledge of federal and New York State employment requirements., • Active HR certification such as SHRM CP, SHRM SCP, PHR, or SPHR strongly preferred., • Demonstrated experience coaching managers and delivering difficult conversations with professionalism and confidence., • Experience working in a structured, process-driven organization., • Experience working in an HRIS required, BambooHR experience strongly preferred., • Exceptional judgment and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information., • Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail and follow-through., • Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills., • Ability to work collaboratively with leadership and managers across the organization., • Comfortable working in a fast paced, in-person professional environment.