New

Human Resources Specialist

McKinsey & Company
parental leave, paid time off
United States, Illinois, Chicago
Apr 29, 2026
People & HR Human Resources Specialist Job ID: 108355 Chicago Washington DC Apply Now Apply Later Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You've come to the right place. YOUR IMPACT You will oversee the administration of key HR elements and programs across the employee lifecycle, supporting colleagues across the MidAtlantic and Midwest regions. You will act as a trusted counselor on HR issues and policies, with emphasis on regional employment law and pay practices. You will deliver exceptional support to senior colleagues and business partners, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements. While you will be supporting all our MidAtlantic and Midwest offices, you will be based in either our Washington, D.C. or Chicago office. Additionally, you will act as a key advisor and strategic partner to the Sr. Manager of HR overseeing these regions, particularly during escalations and time-sensitive matters when the Sr. Manager may not be readily available. You will act as a trusted advisor on HR issues and policies, providing expertise in regional employment law, pay practices, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including payroll practices. You will deliver exceptional support to senior colleagues and business partners, ensuring alignment with firm standards and priorities. Additionally, you will provide leadership and expertise in one or more HR service lines across North America. You will collaborate with team members across geographies and partner with other firm functions, such as Professional Development and Administration, to ensure equitable, consistent, and efficient HR experience for colleagues. You will mentor and guide less experienced HR colleagues, fostering an inclusive environment and providing apprenticeship opportunities. You will also serve as an escalation point for HR support, addressing complex issues and ensuring effective resolutions for stakeholders and colleagues in the MidAtlantic and Midwest regions. You will manage key HR processes, including onboarding, offboarding, role changes, rotations, and flex programs, while executing orientation programs to support new firm members and transfers. You will handle HR data and document management with a focus on maintaining data integrity and conducting analysis to inform decision-making. You will support managers in performance evaluations and performance management, ensuring alignment with firm policies and procedures. Additionally, you will implement colleague care programs, manage employee relations, and lead personal conduct investigations, adhering to standard processes and applicable laws. Through your efforts, you will play a critical role in maintaining a high-performing, compliant, and inclusive work environment. YOUR GROWTH You are someone who thrives in a high-performance environment, bringing a growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle meaningful challenges that have a real impact. In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to help you quickly broaden your expertise, grow into a well-rounded professional, and contribute to work that truly makes a difference. When you join us, you will have: Continuous learning: Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey. A voice that matters: From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You'll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes. Global community: With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm's diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Exceptional benefits: On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well-being for you and your family. YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS Bachelor's degree or equivalent required SHRM or HRCI certification preferred 6+ years of general HR experience required Mastery of the range of HR service lines, employee relations, and colleague life cycle events Proficiency and contribution to continuous improvement in HR/People systems (e.g., People Central). Able to independently apply and interpret local labor laws for the assigned geography Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities, leveraging data, logical reasoning, and strategic thinking to address complex and ambiguous challenges. Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to independently manage multiple tasks, projects, and priorities in a dynamic environment. Strong influencing and consensus-building capabilities, including the ability to deliver tough messages, handle confidential information with sensitivity, and maintain professionalism under pressure. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to engage diverse senior stakeholders, foster trust, and inspire professionalism and sound judgment in others. Ability to work in-person and travel as needed (team schedules and office locations may vary) Excellent communication skills, including the ability to create clear, structured, and engaging content across formats, with fluent level language skills in English Please review the additional requirements regarding essential job functions of McKinsey colleagues. Our unwavering commitment to integrity drives everything we do, guiding us to always act in the best interests of our clients, our people, and the communities we serve. Industries Capabilities Firm Administration Apply Now Apply Later FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Certain US jurisdictions require McKinsey & Company to include a reasonable estimate of the salary for this role. For new joiners for this role in the United States, including all office locations where the job may be performed, a reasonable estimated range is $118,900 - $162,600 USD -to help you understand what you can expect. This reflects our best estimate of the lowest to highest [salary/hourly wages] for this role at the time of this posting, ensuring you have a clear picture right from the start, though it's important to remember that actual salaries may vary. Factors like your office location, your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs all play a part in determining the final figure. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to the wellness of our colleagues and their families. This includes medical, mental health, dental and vision coverage, telemedicine services, life, accident and disability insurance, parental leave and family planning benefits, caregiving resources, a generous retirement contributions program, financial guidance, and paid time off. FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites. Share This Job