Director, HR Compliance & Total Rewards

The Director, HR Compliance & Total Rewards is responsible for the execution and oversight of the firm’s total rewards, payroll, retirement, and HR systems functions. This role ensures operational accuracy, regulatory compliance, strong internal controls, and effective use of HR technology in a complex professional services environment.

UB Greensfelder LLP is an Am Law 200 law firm dedicated to exceeding client expectations and delivering superior, customized legal solutions. The firm's attorneys advise regional, national, and global businesses on a wide range of sophisticated legal matters across more than 25 specialized practice and industry groups. Renowned for its best-in-class client service and litigation excellence, UBG was named "2025 Ohio and Missouri Firm of the Year" by Benchmark Litigation and consistently earns top-tier accolades from Chambers and Partners. Established in 2024 through the merger of Ulmer & Berne LLP and Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., UB Greensfelder has quickly emerged as a super-regional powerhouse firm in the Midwest and in top-tier business centers. For more information, please visit www.ubglaw.com. Our Business Begins With You®.

The Director serves as the firm’s HR owner for payroll, benefits, and retirement plan The Director serves as the firm’s HR owner for payroll, benefits, and retirement plan administration and acts as a key change leader as the firm modernizes its HR technology infrastructure while consistently delivering outcomes aligned with the firm’s People Centered value.

Position Responsibilities Include:

Payroll Administration

• Provide oversight of end-to-end payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and effective internal controls across a multi-state environment.
• Manage payroll vendors, audits, reconciliations, issue resolution, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Partner closely with the Senior Payroll Administrator to strengthen workflows, documentation, system controls, and error-prevention processes.
• Serve as the primary HR partner to Finance and Accounting on payroll-related audits, reconciliations, and regulatory filings.

Retirement & 401(k) Plan Administration

• Own day-to-day and strategic oversight of the firm’s 401(k) and retirement plans.
• Manage retirement plan vendors, compliance testing, audits, filings, and required disclosures.
• Ensure operational compliance with ERISA and plan document requirements.
• Oversee participant communications, plan changes, and ongoing education in partnership with vendors.
• Serve as the primary internal owner for retirement plan governance and risk management.

Benefits & Total Rewards

• Oversee the administration and compliance of firmwide benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, disability, leave, wellness, and retirement.
• Provide executive oversight of the firm’s self-insured health plan, including vendor strategy, cost management, compliance, and operational risk, with day-to-day execution led by the Benefits & Wellbeing Manager.
• Partner with internal leadership and external brokers and vendors to manage renewals, evaluate plan performance, and resolve complex or escalated operational issues, while supporting continued Wellness initiatives for improvement of health outcomes.

HRIS & HR Technology Ownership

• Serve as the HR business owner for HR systems, data, and reporting.
• Partner with HR, IT, Finance, and other stakeholders on HRIS readiness, requirements definition, vendor evaluation, and implementation planning.
• Sponsor and oversee HRIS data conversions, integrations (payroll, benefits, finance), testing, and adoption.
• Establish and enforce data integrity standards, access controls, and reporting governance to ensure auditability and trust in HR data.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Own compliance with HR-related regulatory requirements, record-keeping standards, and reporting obligations.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of 401(k) audits, ACA reporting, EEO filings, and other federal and state requirements.
• Identify and mitigate operational, compliance, and data risks related to payroll, benefits, and HR systems.

Leadership & Execution

• Reporting to the CHRO, lead, develop and hold accountable a Cleveland-based HR operations team responsible for payroll, total rewards, HR compliance, and HR systems through a hands-on, visible leadership approach.
• Drive disciplined execution, documentation, and follow-through across all owned functions.
• Act as a visible change leader who can move the organization from legacy processes to modern, controlled, and scalable operations.

Qualified Applicants Will Have:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in HR operations, payroll, benefits, and total rewards.
• Experience in a law firm, professional services, or partnership/K-1 environment strongly preferred.
• Communication & Judgment: Clearly communicates complex information and exercises sound judgment in high-impact situations.
• Problem Solving & Attention to Detail: Identifies and resolves complex issues while maintaining high standards of accuracy, compliance, and follow-through.
• Change Leadership: Leads operational and system change with clarity and accountability.
• Hands-on experience with 401(k) and retirement plan administration, including audits and compliance.
• Experience with self-insured health plans and HRIS implementations strongly preferred.
• Strong technical aptitude with HR systems, payroll platforms, and data controls.

UB Greensfelder provides top-quality, sophisticated legal services, serving business clients ranging from small entrepreneurs to international companies. Our work environment is business casual and we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, which includes medical/dental/vision, 401(k) with employer contribution, short and long term disability plans, life insurance, well-being initiatives, and paid parental leave programs. If you desire to work in a truly people-focused environment for a firm that values its employees, then UB Greensfelder is the firm for you.

UB Greensfelder recognizes the importance of forming inclusive teams of attorneys and staff to foster an environment where creative solutions are made for our clients, and all have the opportunity to thrive and succeed. We encourage candidates from a variety of backgrounds to apply to be a part of our team.