Director of Human Resources

Company : Johnston, Allison & Hord, P.A.

Location : Charlotte, NC

Johnston Allison & Hord (“JAH”) is a full service business law firm in the vibrant and growing city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Our sixty attorneys are committed to providing top-tier legal services to clients in the areas of commercial real estate, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, environmental and land use, ERISA, trust and estates, elder law and tax.

Summary/Objective

JAH is seeking a Director of Human Resources. The Director of Human Resources provides trusted advice and counsel on all matters related to professional staff, including workforce planning, performance management, compensation, culture, engagement, and employment risk.

Reporting to the Managing Partner, the Director of Human Resources works closely with firm leadership, practice group leaders, and external advisors to ensure the firm attracts, develops, retains, and supports exceptional professional staff and continues to operate with integrity, sound judgment, and legal compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Advisory and Support Roles

• Serve as a trusted advisor to firm leadership on professional staff talent, performance, engagement, and organizational health.
• Provide thoughtful guidance on sensitive and high-risk employment matters, balancing empathy, accountability, and risk management.
• Support the Managing Partner with executive assistance as needed.

HR Operations, Payroll & Benefits

• Provide oversight and governance of all HR operations, including payroll, benefits, HR systems, employee data, and reporting.
• Ensure accurate, timely payroll processing and compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and firm policies.
• Oversee benefits programs and vendor relationships, including health, retirement, leave, and wellness offerings.

Employee Policies, Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain and steward employee policies, the employee handbook, and HR procedures.
• Ensure firmwide compliance with employment laws and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with internal and external counsel on employment issues, investigations, and risk mitigation strategies.

Performance Management & Professional Staff Development

• Lead and continuously improve the firm’s performance management framework for professional staff.
• Partner with leaders to clarify expectations, reinforce accountability, and support development and advancement.

Recruiting & Retention

Oversee recruiting and onboarding for professional staff roles, ensuring a consistent and thoughtful candidate experience.

Develop and implement retention strategies focused on engagement, career development, and recognition.

Monitor trends in turnover, engagement, and market competitiveness, and advise leadership on response strategies.

Culture, Employee Engagement & Experience

Serve as a visible and trusted resource for employees across the firm.

Lead firmwide culture and engagement initiatives.

Partner with leadership to assess engagement, morale, and organizational effectiveness.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities, that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Experience & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 10 – 15 years of human resources leadership experience in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience advising leaders on complex, high judgment people matters.
• SHRM SCP or SPHR certification strongly preferred.

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent judgment, utmost discretion, and integrity.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing payroll, benefits, policies, and HR operations.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Hands-on experience with HCM platforms (Paychex preferred).
• Ability to balance empathy with accountability.
• Comfortable operating in a high-performance, fast-paced environment.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is an exempt position. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Salary Range : Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Additionally, the firm provides a generous benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), profit sharing and paid time off, with annual bonus potential based on firm performance.