Assistant, People Operations
Goodwin ProcterJoin Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from varied backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross-functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do.
Here, we’re not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.
This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward-thinking peers.
The People Operations Assistant provides administrative support to the People Operations team across the employee lifecycle, helping coordinate onboarding, offboarding, and job change processes by following documented procedures, and providing employee support through identified communication channels, including case management tools.
Responsibilities include running pre-employment screenings, scheduling orientations and exit interviews, processing documentation, entering and maintaining people data in Workday, and responding to basic employee inquiries.
This is a critical role to ensuring data integrity of all personnel data and for maintaining efficient processes. Reporting to the Sr. Manager, People Operations, the People Operations Assistant operates as a key point of contact for the wider HR and Administrative teams, providing high-quality service and delivery.
What You Will Do:
Maintain data integrity and enter HR data into the HRIS system, covering onboarding, job changes, compensation changes and one time payments, relocation, offboarding, time card approvals, and lifecycle changes.
Assists with organization changes and position management within Workday.
Ensure accurate maintenance of firm data, review local data entry, conduct audits, and resolve inaccuracies.
Support onboarding system and onboarding activities, including background checks, scheduling orientation meetings, conducting right-to-work checks, collecting onboarding documents, and preparing new joiner information packs.
Assist with offboarding by verifying vacation / holiday entitlements, preparing checklists, confirming departure details, conducting exit interviews, taking action on voluntary terminations in Workday, identifying claw backs and notifying correct point of contacts (POCs), equipment return, packing transitioning personal belongings in the office, conduct exit interviews for all voluntary terminations, and updating Workday with accurate employer and checklist information.
Act as tier 1 resolution for employee and attorney inquiries related to HR policies, systems, and processes. Assist with time off, absence, and other HR-related questions. Troubleshoot system issues and support time and absence management.
Provide support to HR Business Partners, including program assistance and supporting internal client initiatives.
Review and submit all invoices for HR Operations Senior Manager approval.
Distribute unidentified mail to appropriate POC. Contacting former employees and attorneys to determine if mail should be forwarded to them.
Complete all weekly and monthly Workday data audits, ensuring data integrity is maintained and escalating any data concerns.
Support People Operations Coordinators with responding to employee verification requests and unemployment claims.
Understand GDPR and data privacy regulations.
Perform ad-hoc duties as assigned.
Who You Are:
Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
A minimum of one-year related work experience or internships preferred and Law firm or professional services industry experience a plus.
Experience working with HRIS systems, Workday preferred.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple assignments with strong attention to detail.
High level of integrity with the ability to respect, protect, and maintain strict confidentiality.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with PowerPoint and Visio a plus.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with all levels of firm personnel.
Excellent organizational and proofreading skills with a customer service–oriented mindset.
Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while following established processes and procedures.
Customer service–driven mindset with a demonstrated commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
Occasional travel.
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Benefits and More
At Goodwin, you will discover your next career opportunity with a rewarding compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including:
Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work schedule
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Life and disability insurance
Retirement & Savings Plan
Emergency back-up child and adult care
Paid vacation, sick time off, and holidays
Professional development and career advancement opportunities
Employee recognition and reward programs
Employee wellness and assistance programs
Employee discounts and perks
Consistent with the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.
Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.
Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status.
To request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process in the US, contact the Benefits Department by email or by phone at 617-570-1800. To request any disability or neurodivergence related accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process in the UK or Germany, please email the Recruiting Department. Any information you provide will be in the strictest confidence, and only used for the purpose of providing the accommodations needed. Requesting accommodations will not adversely affect the outcome of your application.