Office Operations Manager

We are seeking a highly organized and experienced Office Operations Manager to oversee critical administrative and HR functions for our client's Chicago law firm . This pivotal hybrid role requires strong organizational leadership, expertise in payroll / benefits, and significant experience in law firm operations and compliance.

Location : Chicago, IL (Hybrid with up to 2 days per week in-person)

Employment Type : Full-Time, Direct-Hire with Benefits

Key Responsibilities :

Recruiting & HR Systems : Manage the full employee life cycle, including job postings, resume screening, interview coordination, and onboarding / offboarding . Maintain secure personnel records and HR systems.

Compensation & Benefits : Work with leadership and external providers to manage monthly payroll, employee benefits, and annual enrollment .

Compliance & Policy : Ensure the firm maintains compliance with all relevant employment laws, firm policies, and regulatory requirements (EEO, FMLA, ADA, etc.) .

Financial & Vendor Management : Manage office budgets, expense tracking, and vendor contracts / payments in coordination with the COO.

Client Onboarding : Coordinate all aspects of new client setup , including conflict checks, engagement letter preparation, and entry into firm systems; liaise between attorneys and billing.

Administrative Support : Provide high-level administrative support to the COO and the legal leadership team.

Qualifications & Mandatory Skills :

The following experience and skills are mandatory for this critical law firm management role :

5–8 years of law firm experience, including some familiarity with HR responsibilities.

Must be based in Chicago .

Solid understanding of employment requirements, payroll, and benefits administration.

Experience with HRIS and practice management software (e.g., Intuit QuickBooks and ADP).

Exceptional organizational skills, discretion, and attention to detail .

Strong interpersonal and leadership abilities; comfortable working with senior attorneys and managing staff.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, Teams, Zoom, and other collaboration platforms.

Highly Desired / Preferred :

Bachelor’s degree (HR or business administration preferred).

PHR / SPHR or SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP certification .