HR Specialist - Immigration & Mobility

KPF, a global architecture firm headquartered in New York City, is seeking an HR Specialist - Immigration & Mobility to join our Global Human Resources team.

The HR Specialist will be responsible for the administration and coordination of employment-based immigration and mobility programs for KPF's U.S.-based employee population. This role serves as the firm's primary subject matter expert on non-immigrant and immigrant visa matters, partnering closely with employees, managers, recruiters, outside immigration counsel, and HR colleagues to ensure compliance with applicable immigration laws and regulations while supporting the firm's talent acquisition and workforce planning objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

Immigration

• Serve as the firm’s subject matter expert on all non-immigrant and immigrant visa matters.
• Proactively manage all phases of temporary and permanent visa processes for multiple entities and jurisdictions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all immigration issues, questions, documentation, and legal requirements.
• Maintain accurate immigration case records and reporting within internal and external tracking systems; conduct regular audits to ensure data integrity and compliance.
• Partner with outside immigration counsel on strategy, filings, audits, and regulatory updates.
• Advise and collaborate with the Recruiting team regarding requirements for hiring and onboarding of foreign nationals.
• Coordinate the preparation, review, and submission of all immigration-related documentation and filings.
• Manage the annual H-1B lottery process.
• Lead the Green Card Committee and manage all phases of the Green Card and PERM processes.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate immigration policies, procedures, and best practices to employees, managers, and HR stakeholders.

Compliance, I-9, and Employment Verification

• Oversee the firm's I-9 and employment verification compliance programs, including re-verification requirements, monthly expiration reporting, system audits, and maintenance of work authorization information within the HRIS.
• Perform regular audits of Public Access Files, I-9 records, E-Verify records, and immigration tracking systems to ensure compliance with applicable government regulations.
• Manage Labor Condition Application (LCA) postings and Public Access Files.
• Ensure all immigration files are audit-ready and compliant with applicable laws and regulations.

General HR

• Provide support on broader HR initiatives and projects, including employee relations, performance management, benefits administration, and policy compliance, as needed.
• Perform audits on various entities, including but not limited to employment standards (labor law postings etc..), employee files, I-9’s, immigration files and benefit documents.
• Provide recommendations based on audit results and assist with implementing action plans to resolve findings and ensure compliance with applicable local, state and federal employment laws and requirements.
• Audit current workflows and documentation for HR processes and recommend improvements.
• Conduct annual education sessions on general immigration policies and procedures.
• Assist with responding to employee and management inquiries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 4+ years of experience in Human Resources, immigration, global mobility, or a related field.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated sound judgment and the ability to identify, analyze, and resolve complex issues.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and quantitative skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel.
• Experience working in a global HR environment strongly preferred.
• Experience partnering with outside immigration counsel and managing employment-based immigration processes preferred.
• Working knowledge of U.S. immigration regulations, including H-1B, PERM, and employment-based permanent residency processes preferred.

Pay Range:

Why KPF?

KPF’s mission is to elevate cities through impactful design, collaborating closely with the world’s most forward-thinking clients to create high performing, carefully crafted buildings that are unique to their physical, social, and environmental contexts.

• Career Growth: Opportunities for training, development, and career progression.

• Company Culture: Collaborative, high-performance environment with a focus on innovation and excellence.

• Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k with company matching contributions, paid time off and other perks.

To Apply:

Applications submitted without a resume will not be considered.

______________________________________

KPF is an equal opportunity employer.