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Human Resources Specialist

McKinsey & Company
parental leave, paid time off
United States, California, Los Angeles
2000 Avenue of the Stars (Show on map)
Jan 21, 2026
People & HR
Human Resources Specialist
Job ID: 104484

Do you want to work on complex and pressing challenges-the kind that bring together curious, ambitious, and determined leaders who strive to become better every day? If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place.
Your Impact

As a Human Resources Specialist, you will
oversee the administration of key HR elements and programs across the employee
lifecycle, supporting colleagues across the South and West regions, with a
focus on West Coast colleagues. You will act as a trusted counselor on HR
issues and policies, with emphasis on California and Washington 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 West Coast offices, it is preferred you will be
based in either our Los Angeles or San Francisco 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.

Key Responsibilities:

HR Functions Oversight:

  • Oversee the administration of and deliver HR
    programs and policies across the employee lifecycle, with a focus on West Coast
    colleagues.
  • Act as a trusted counselor on HR issues and
    policies, specializing in California and Washington employment law and pay
    practices.
  • Deliver exceptional support to senior
    colleagues and business partners on HR matters related to West Coast-based
    colleagues.
  • Ensure compliance with all legal
    requirements, focusing on regulatory and compliance aspects, including payroll
    practices.
  • Provide leadership and expertise in one or
    more HR service lines across NA.

People Leadership:

  • Collaborate with team members across the
    geography and counterparts in other Firm functions (e.g., Professional
    Development, Administration).
  • Provide HR expertise in one or more areas of
    specialization for the geography.
  • Direct or mentor other HR Generalists,
    providing apprenticeship and guidance to those with less experience.
  • Ensure an equitable, consistent, and
    efficient HR experience for colleagues.

Stakeholder Support:

  • Serve as an escalation point for HR support
    to stakeholders and colleagues within the West Coast geography.

Team Management:

  • Oversee on- and off-boarding of new Firm
    members and transfers; execute orientation programs.
  • Train and mentor team members in an
    inclusive environment.
  • Manage role changes, rotations, and flex
    programs.

Data and Document Management:

  • Handle HR data and document management with
    a focus on data analysis and integrity.

Performance Management:

  • Support managers in evaluation and
    performance management.

Policy and Procedure Maintenance:

  • Maintain and communicate policies and
    procedures.

Employee Relations:

  • Implement colleague care programs and manage
    employee relations.
  • Lead personal conduct investigations,
    ensuring adherence to our standard process and compliance with applicable laws.
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 specialty HR experience; OR 8+ years of general HR experience; OR 6+ years of McKinsey experience
  • Mastery of the range of People service lines, employee relations, and colleague life cycle events related to specialty area
  • Proficiency and contribution to continuous improvement in HR/People systems (e.g., People Central)
  • Excellent knowledge of local labor laws for California and Washington
  • Project management experience
  • Exceptional people leadership abilities
  • Independently manages multiple people and projects simultaneously while participating in best practices and nurturing a trust-based, inclusive, productive environment
  • Sensitivity with confidential information and adherence to the highest professional and process standards
  • Strong influencing capabilities, including willingness to push back and deliver tough messages to senior audiences, and demonstrated track record of leadership in high-performing teams
  • Ability to work in-person and travel as needed (team schedules and office locations may vary)
  • Ability to engage audience and create clear, logical, and structured communications across all formats, with fluent English proficiency
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.


Apply Now
Apply Later

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity 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 $130,100 - $176,800 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.

Job Skill Group - CSSA

Job Skill Code - HRS - Human Resources Specialist

Function - Firm Administration

Industry -

Post to LinkedIn - Yes

Posted to LinkedIn Date - Tue Jan 20 00:00:00 GMT 2026

LinkedIn Posting City - Southern California

LinkedIn Posting State/Province - California

LinkedIn Posting Country - United States

LinkedIn Job Title - Human Resources Specialist

LinkedIn Function - Administrative;Human Resources;Project Management

LinkedIn Industry - Human Resources;Management Consulting

LinkedIn Seniority Level - Associate
Applied = 0

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