HR Manager

P3Hired is partnered with a Washington, DC-area professional services firm in their search for a Human Resources Manager to lead full-cycle recruitment and people operations. This role partners closely with senior leadership to understand staffing needs, recruit top talent across the organization, and ensure a seamless onboarding experience. In addition to recruitment, the role oversees employee records, performance reviews, compensation tracking, benefits administration, and compliance with employment and immigration regulations.

The ideal candidate is a proactive self-starter with strong sourcing and communication skills, capable of assessing candidates for both technical expertise and cultural fit. Acting as a trusted partner to leadership and staff, this individual will balance hands-on operational responsibilities with initiatives that foster a positive, collaborative, and engaging company culture.

Responsibilities

Talent, People & Operations

• Lead full-cycle recruitment
• Develop authentic, relationship-driven sourcing strategies through professional networks, academic partnerships, referrals, and industry events
• Review resumes and work samples with a strong eye for quality, skill, and cultural alignment
• Coordinate and participate in interviews and reference checks, ensuring a thoughtful and welcoming candidate experience
• Manage pre-hire processes and lead new hire onboarding, helping team members integrate smoothly
• Maintain accurate, confidential candidate and employee records
• Track recruiting activity and provide clear, actionable insights to leadership on hiring progress and market conditions
• Continuously improve recruiting and onboarding processes to enhance the candidate and employee experience
• Serve as a trusted point of contact for candidates and staff, acting with discretion and care
• Anticipate staffing needs and proactively address gaps to support business continuity

Compensation, Records & Employee Relations

• Maintain personnel files, ensuring documentation is accurate, organized, and compliant
• Coordinate performance review cycles and support leadership with timelines, guidance, and documentation
• Prepare and track compensation and bonus review materials
• Support offboarding processes, including exit conversations and documentation
• Ensure compliance with employment regulations, including EEOC requirements and state labor postings (MD, DC, VA)
• Assist with performance improvement processes and related documentation
• Draft internal communications and support team gatherings, celebrations, and culture-building initiatives

Benefits & Well-Being

• Administer employee benefit programs, including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and retirement plans
• Process enrollments, changes, and terminations, and provide clear guidance to employees
• Coordinate COBRA administration and track benefits for employees on leave
• Reconcile monthly benefits invoices
• Support 401(k) administration, including enrollments, required notices, and annual audits

Support and Professional Development

• Manage relationships with external HR, benefits, and professional development partners
• Maintain and update the company organizational chart
• Coordinate professional development efforts, including certifications and informal learning opportunities (e.g., lunch-and-learns)
• Provide administrative support to Marketing, Accounting, and Office Management, as needed
• Assist with special projects that support company operations and growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of progressive experience in recruiting and human resources, preferably within a professional services, creative, or design-focused environment
• Proven experience managing full-cycle recruitment across a range of roles and seniority levels
• Strong knowledge of HR operations, employee relations, and personnel recordkeeping
• Experience administering employee benefits programs and working with external vendors and brokers
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Experience administering 401(k) plans and supporting benefits audits
• Experience developing employer branding initiatives, university partnerships, or early-career recruiting programs
• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) preferred but not required
• Experience with HRIS, ATS, and benefits administration platforms

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