People Partner - Consulting

People Partner - Consulting

Location

Chicago

Job Description

Overview of the People Partner - Consulting:

We are seeking a People Partner who is energized by operating at the intersection of people and business performance. L.E.K. is evolving how we support our people, moving from a traditional HR model to a People Partner model, and this role is designed for someone who wants to help build it. You will move beyond process and administration to shape leadership effectiveness, influence talent strategy, and elevate the employee experience within a high-performance consulting environment.

At L.E.K., our People Partners are embedded within a regional and sector-based matrix, partnering directly with Managing Directors serving as Sector Leadership and Office Heads, as well as building bridges with our Core Services Leaders in supporting our consulting side of the house to drive outcomes across:

• Engaged People - building a connected, high-energy culture

• Employee Growth - accelerating development and leadership capability

• Business Partnering - delivering proactive, insight-led people support that directly impacts business outcomes

This is an evolving process. Our People Partner model is still being built out, and some administrative and operational work remains part of the role today. We are looking for someone who will deliver in that space while leaning in to elevate it, using AI, automation, and process improvement to drive efficiency and free up time for higher-value partnering. You will have real opportunity to shape what this role becomes.

You will play a visible and critical role in helping leaders build teams where people perform at their best, and in helping us define how our People Partner model grows.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior consulting leaders on talent strategy, engagement, employee relations, and overall people experience effectiveness

• Establish and maintain regular partnership cadence with business leaders, including monthly check-ins and ongoing touchpoints

• Deliver against consistent, high-impact People Partner deliverables, including talent discussions, engagement planning, and leadership coaching

• Partner with Office Heads and Sector Leaders to shape culture, morale, and leadership expectations

• Partner with the Talent team to support and influence talent discussions, performance outcomes, and development planning

• Use data and insight to proactively identify risks and opportunities across teams

• Coach leaders on feedback, team dynamics, and leadership effectiveness

• Bring forward and drive new initiatives and ideas aligned to:

• • Engaged People

• • Employee Growth

• • Business Partnering

• Translate People Experience priorities into practical, local action across offices and sectors

• Identify patterns in employee experience and solve root causes-not just symptoms

• Support and own select administrative and operational people processes in the near term, while identifying opportunities to simplify, automate, or transition them as the model matures

• Partner with the People Team to build out and continuously improve the People Partner model, processes, and ways of working

• Use generative AI tools, such as Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or other emerging tools, to drive efficiency, improve the quality of insights, and elevate the way we support leaders and employees

• Use Workday as the system of record for day-to-day engagements, including employee data, transactions, reporting, and manager and employee support

Ideal Profile:

• Thinks like a business leader first, people expert second

• Is comfortable challenging senior leaders constructively

• Operates with strong ownership over ongoing deliverables and leadership commitments

• Builds trust quickly and operates with credibility and discretion

• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment

• Brings forward ideas and takes initiative to continuously improve how we support our people and business

• Is energized by building and comfortable with ambiguity, working in a model that is still evolving and not yet fully defined

• Is an early adopter of AI and new ways of working, open to the right tool for the job, and sees efficiency as part of the job

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field preferred

• 5-10+ years of progressive generalist HR experience, preferably in a consulting or professional services environment

• Strong working knowledge of your location's rules and regulatory requirements pertaining to our employment practices

• • IL, TX, and GA for physical offices as well as other states via Sector support

• Experience with multi-state and matrix style environments

• Experience within HR/People departments supporting a population of 500-1000 required

• Experience managing vendor relationships and participating in renewals

• Hands-on working knowledge of HRIS systems; Workday experience strongly preferred (ADP a plus), with an expectation of using Workday regularly in day-to-day engagements

• Comfort using generative AI tools, such as Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, or other emerging tools, in day-to-day work to improve efficiency and quality

• Intermediate to advanced coaching skills

• Strong understanding of best-in-class employee relations practices

• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities

• Strong communication skills and ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Additional Information:

• The expected base salary range for this position is $80,000 - $120,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, skills, and location. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

• L.E.K. Consulting offers a competitive total rewards package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k) with employer contribution, HSA contributions (where applicable), paid time off, and other firm-sponsored benefits.

• This role is based in our Chicago office and follows our hybrid work model for U.S. offices. We require employees to be in their assigned home office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week, as well as the first Friday of each month.