Senior Manager Human Resources

Brooklyn Defender Services(BDS) is seeking a Senior Manager to join the Human Resources Department.

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. For nearly 30 years, BDS has worked, in and out of court, to protect and uphold the rights of individuals and to change laws and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequality. Our work with clients is focused on the intersections of these legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities living in poverty.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment. BDS staff work collaboratively and across disciplines to deliver high-quality legal services that serve the people we represent, their families and communities.

The HR department is responsible for managing all aspects of the employee lifecycle for approximately 750 employees.

Under the direct supervision of the Managing Director of Human Resources, the Senior Manager works closely with the Managing Director of HR and the Associate Director of HR to ensure consistent application of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), HR policies, and employment practices across BDS. The Senior Manager, Human Resources is a strategic and hands-on HR leader responsible for overseeing core human resources functions while partnering with organizational leadership to support workforce effectiveness, compliance, and employee engagement.

Responsibilities

HR Leadership

• Act as the operational extension of the Managing Director of Human Resources, supporting execution of HR priorities and initiatives.
• Elevate complex, sensitive, or high-risk employee relations, labor, or compliance matters to the Managing Director for guidance and approval.
• Represent HR in internal meetings and initiatives.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Support investigations, disciplinary processes, and performance management matters, ensuring alignment with HR policy, CBA requirements, and legal standards.
• Develop, manage, and oversee BDS’s performance management framework, including evaluation cycles, documentation standards, and corrective action processes.
• Partner with the Managing Director of HR to refine and strengthen performance management tools, guidance, and training.
• Track performance trends, repeat issues, and systemic challenges to identify training or policy needs.
• Develop and implement systems to maintain accurate performance-related records and reporting.
• Recommend improvements to performance management practices that support accountability, development, and retention.

HR Operations - Benefits, Payroll, Timekeeping

• Directly supervise HR staff.
• Oversee HR workflows, ensuring work is aligned with departmental priorities set by the Managing Director of HR.
• Support implementation of HR systems, processes, and organizational initiatives led by the Managing Director.
• Evaluate benefit offerings, vendor performance, and plan design in partnership with HR leadership and external consultants.
• Oversee audits, filings, and reporting related to benefit plans and payroll.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and employee experience.
• Provide senior oversight of time and attendance tracking, ensuring accurate time capture and pay calculations.
• Ensure timekeeping platform configurations align with CBA requirements, including overtime rules, differentials, and leave accruals.
• Lead system testing, audits, and updates related to timekeeping and payroll integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of supervisory or people management experience within an HR function.
• Experience leading teams through change, including organizational growth, system implementations, or process redesign.
• Demonstrated experience managing vendors, audits, and complex compliance matters.
• Able to understand and analyze processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Strong working knowledge of wage and hour laws, benefits regulations, and leave laws.
• Experience leading system implementations or organizational transitions.
• Excellent communication, judgment, and relationship-building skills.

Position Information

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, and the position is based at BDS’s offices in Downtown Brooklyn, NY 11201.

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a salary range of $140,000-$150,000 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b)-retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.

Application Instructions

Please visit our Career Center to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Please submit your application by February 28, 2026.

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director, H.R., Christina Wallace, at cwallace @ bds.org.

BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b)-retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.