HR Partner, Chicago

Who We Are

Business Sweden is a global management consulting firm with 500+ employees in 40+ countries all over the world. We are business developers with a unique mandate to help Swedish companies grow global sales and international companies invest and expand in Sweden.

Our US operation consists of 4 locations which are Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. Together, we make up one of the most successful, progressive, and dynamic business units in Business Sweden in the largest economy in the world.

What We Do

We help Swedish companies navigate entering & maintaining successful business operations in the U.S. market, understand market dynamics, identify local partners, appreciate the regulatory landscape, and more! We support several industries spanning across 7 markets from retail, food, automotive, innovative technologies, pharma, luxury goods, and manufacturing.

Why We Need You

This dynamic role involves overseeing the day-to-day operations and cooperating on strategic projects together with the HR department at HQ in Stockholm. Additionally, the HR Partner will provide strategic advisory services to our clients on their U.S. HR initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with international companies and colleagues, gaining exposure to global business operations.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Support

• Calculate and process monthly payroll, ensuring accurate and timely payroll delivery.
• Coordinate local operational HR-matters, such as drafting offer letters, handbook & policy maintenance in collaboration with HR department at HQ, personnel folder management, benefits administration, leave management, and mandated state trainings.
• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, including job posting, interviewing, selection, and onboarding of new hires. Collaborate with department heads to identify staffing needs and provide recruitment strategy support.
• Stay current on labor laws, ensuring compliance with multi-state legal updates.
• Offer coaching and guidance to managers on handling sensitive employee relations or performance cases.
• Support with talent development initiatives, including the expansion of the learning & development program.
• Support Head of U.S. with operational development and modernization of our offices.
• Support initiatives to improve employee engagement, morale, and retention.
• Ensure a good office environment, team culture, and drive continuous development.
• Oversee day-to-day multi-office operations, including managing supplies, equipment, maintenance, and administrative tasks to ensure a productive and efficient work environment.
• Partner with HR team at headquarters on global HR initiatives.
• Reporting directly to U.S. Country Manager and collaborating with Americas regional Manager for key regional initiatives.

External Support

• Support Swedish companies with their US recruitment and HR infrastructure set up needs.
• Continue to further develop and grow our HR-services offering.
• Collaborating with consulting and accounting teams on HR-related projects and ad-hoc inquiries (e.g. recruitment, compensation & benefits guidance, local best practices, navigating the differences in employment landscape between Sweden & U.S., etc.).
• Collaborate with the Head of Chicago Office & Accounting Director in developing our "Desk Rental" service and be responsible for service line operations.

Skills & Requirements

• 5+ years of work experience within the Field of HR.
• Bachelor degree in Human Resource Management and/or Business Administration.
• Proven experience in managing full-cycle recruitment, benefits administration, onboarding programs, and maintaining legal compliance.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office tools.
• You are people-oriented and enjoy interacting with people and working in group projects.
• You are adaptable/flexible and enjoy doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction.
• You are a multi-tasker - being able to deal with several tasks and work-streams at once.
• You have an entrepreneurial mindset and can-do attitude.

A Plus

• Experience working for a search/recruitment firm.
• Experience working in/with Swedish or Nordic companies it is a plus.

What We Offer:

• Competitive pay and top-of-the-line benefits package.
• International work environment and exposure to colleagues from around the world.
• Working with top talent within professional services.
• High degree of responsibility and autonomy, with large room for personal development.
• Exposure to interesting companies and clients.

Does this describe you?

If so, please submit your resume together with a personal cover letter as soon as possible as we will be screening applications on a rolling basis. Your application will be handled confidentially.

For locally employed employees the yearly salary range will be $85,000-115,000.

If you have any questions about the position or recruitment process, please contact Lisa Akerstrom, HRBP at Lisa.Akerstrom@business-sweden.se.

Please note that we do not accept applications through e-mail.