Hire the Best HR Consultants in California

Expert-Vetted (Top 1% on Upwork) HR consultant. Over $400K delivered for 70+ small and growing businesses on multi-state compliance, fractional HR leadership, and HR build-outs from zero. 25+ years experience, SPHR + SHRM-SCP, 100% Job Success. You’ve built a successful business; now you need the infrastructure to protect it. As an Upwork Expert Vetted consultant, we provide SMB founders and leadership teams with an essential HR foundation and strategic support of a full-time executive at a fraction of the cost. Stop worrying about HR risks and compliance pitfalls. We provide the HR expertise and hands-on support growing businesses need to scale safely and efficiently. We deliver trusted, fractional HR solutions that save you time, money, and stress. Whether you are a 2-person startup or a 100-person scaling enterprise, we help you bridge the gap between getting by and operating at scale. 🚀 Why Clients Partner With Us: * Expert-Vetted (Top 1% on Upwork) HR consultant * 25+ Years of HR Mastery: Specialized in California and and multi-state laws * 100% Job Success - proven track record of delivering results * Fractional Model: Senior level expertise without the six figure salary * Top Sr. HR Certifications - SPHR and SHRM-SCP 💼 Our HR Superpower: Scalable Solutions & Risk Mitigation We solve problems and share HR expertise that small and scaling companies often lack. Our superpower is helping you identify your greatest risks and implement sustainable processes that scale with your growth. From building HR from the ground up to deconstructing current practices, we provide the strategic leadership you need without the cost of a full-time employee. ✅ Services for Your Growth Stage Need to establish compliance, create/update your handbook, set up a payroll system, introduce benefits, or manage complex employee relations? We offer ongoing fractional and critical short-term project support. *Compliance & Risk: CA Labor Law, Multi-state Compliance, HR Compliance Audits, Leave of Absence (FMLA, ADA), Termination Support. *HR Infrastructure: Creating/Updating Handbooks, Developing HR Policies, Onboarding/Offboarding Processes, File/Record Keeping. *Benefits & Tech: Employee Benefits Strategy: (ACA, Cost Containment), 401K Implementation & Compliance, HRIS/Payroll System Evaluation (Gusto, BambooHR, Paylocity, ADP). * Fractional HR Leadership: Strategic Planning, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Custom Training Content. Expert in Federal, California, and multi-state employment law for both in-person and remote workforces. 📞 Ready to Scale Safely? Let's discuss your growth goals and how we can support your success. We take pride in excellent communication and response times. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Click the message button now to book your FREE 15-minute consultation! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Projects we are frequently hired for: HR Compliance Audits FLSA Classification - 1099 vs W2 Onboarding / Offboarding Workflows Gusto Expert Implementation Bamboo HR Ceridian Dayforce Paylocity Paychex Quickbooks Payroll Rippling ADP PEO Transition M&A HR Due Diligence 401K Implementation Health Plan Packages Employee benefits Employee Handbook and Policies New State Registration and Compliance Remote Work Policy Performance Management HR Strategic Plan Employee Relations Terminations Employment Law Job Descriptions Company Culture Leadership Coaching Training and Development New Hire Orientation Performance Reviews Fractional HR Director Fractional CHRO Human Resources Consulting HR Consultant

If your HR operation is running on scattered spreadsheets, outdated documents, inconsistent practices, or pure survival instinct, I can help you turn it into a practical, scalable system. I bring 15+ years of combined HR, talent acquisition, workforce development, and candidate assessment experience. I combine senior-level HR leadership with Lean Six Sigma process improvement to diagnose what is not working, identify the root cause, and build solutions your organization can actually sustain. I do more than provide recommendations. I create the policies, workflows, documentation, tools, and implementation plans needed to put those recommendations into practice. Selected results include: • Reduced first-30-day employee turnover from over 60% to under 20% by redesigning onboarding operations and concentrating activity around the highest-volume start days • Reduced recruiting cycle times from 60–90 days to approximately 30–45 days by standardizing intake and screening criteria, redesigning recruiter workflows, and introducing pipeline and aging metrics • Increased recruiter productivity by 15% by designing and implementing the organization’s first performance-based incentive program • Developed the business case, financial analysis, KPI framework, and pilot for a workforce-model conversion that saved more than $175K per provider • Led a $20M+ operation and a 150-person multidisciplinary organization spanning recruiting, credentialing, analytics, project management, and provider payment I can help your organization with: • Fractional HR leadership and HR operational assessments • Employee handbooks, workplace policies, SOPs, and training materials • HR compliance reviews and process audits • Recruiting strategy, job descriptions, screening tools, and hiring-process improvement • Onboarding and offboarding workflows, forms, checklists, and manager guidance • Performance management, employee relations, and manager coaching • Organizational design, workforce planning, compensation, and accountability systems • HRIS implementation, workflow redesign, system documentation, and optimization Systems experience includes Workday, SAP HCM, Dayforce, UKG/UltiPro, iCIMS, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, SharePoint, Tableau, Power BI, MS Project, and MondayDOTcom. Industry experience includes healthcare, government contracting, nonprofit, manufacturing, staffing, professional services, consulting, and small business. I am especially effective in organizations where HR has grown reactively and leaders know something is not working, but have not had the time or internal expertise to fix it. Send me a message describing the problem, and I will help you determine what needs to happen next.

Running a small business means HR usually lives on the back burner until something goes wrong. I work with owners who are ready to get ahead of it. I'm Shannon Taylor, founder of Avec Coeur HR and a fractional HR consultant with 16+ years of experience, from HR Assistant through HR Director. Before going independent, I directed HR strategy for a respiratory care company with hundreds of employees across California and multiple states building compliance infrastructure, redesigning onboarding from a single day into a five-day program that new hires consistently called the best they'd ever experienced, and leading a company-wide culture initiative that reduced turnover by 70% in one year. I've also worked directly under employment law attorneys in both New York and California, which means I bring a sharper compliance lens than most HR generalists. My consulting clients are small businesses; typically 5 to 25 people who need senior-level HR without the full-time cost. Past projects include multi-state compliance documentation for a luxury transportation company, a complete recruiting system for a real estate investment firm dealing with culture fit issues, California meal waiver compliance for a multi-location service provider, and HR foundation-building for a business navigating its first difficult termination. What I deliver: Employee handbooks and policies (California-compliant, plain language) Recruiting systems: scorecards, interview guides, job descriptions Onboarding design and SOP documentation Compliance reviews and HR audits Fractional HR on retainer: ongoing support, clear deliverables, no surprises I work the same way with every client: I ask questions first, explain every recommendation, and stay involved until things actually land. HR done with you, not at you. If you're a small business owner who's been putting off the HR work you know you need, let's talk!

Human Resources and People Operations executive experienced in Project Management, Nonprofit Leadership, Recruitment, Onboarding/Offboarding, Learning & Development, Performance Management, Process Improvement, Compensation Planning, Payroll, and Staff Engagement/Retention. (Check full list below) I am passionate about helping companies further build upon their values and establish structures that promote efficiency. Areas of Service: •HR Software & Program Implementation •HR Forms •PEO Platform Management •Payroll •Policy, Letters, & Handbook Development •Sourcing, Full-Life Cycle Recruiting, & Interviewing •Write job descriptions •Pre-Employment Screenings •I9 Audit Management •Hiring & Onboarding •Retention, Termination, & Offboarding •Employee Orientations •Performance Management •Compensation Planning & Pay Equity Planning •Creates Career Ladders & Competency Matrixes •Coaching for Employees, Managers, & Execs •Employee Surveys •Virtual Team Building Events •DEI & Cultural Events •Develop employee engagement •Learning & Development trainings

Full-spectrum HR professional dedicated to every facet of human capital management with an emphasis on employment law and regulatory compliance. Extensive experience working with start-ups, developing their HR function from the ground up. Highly competent in working with employers in various states with added expertise in California. Qualifications: Master's in HR and Employment Relations Bachelor's in Business Administration 11 years working in an HR capacity PHRca Certified SHRM Certified Professional Additional Certifications from Penn State in: * People Analytics and Artificial Intelligence * Strategic HR and Workplace Ethics * HR and Employment Relations Foundations The specialized knowledge I gained through my Master's program has honed my ability to collaborate effectively with organizations, resulting in the development of HR solutions that align seamlessly with their strategic objectives. I possess a comprehensive skill set that empowers me to make data-driven decisions, lead transformative organizational change, and adeptly manage risk while maintaining compliance with stringent employment laws and regulations. My Bachelor's degree in Business Administration further enhances my qualifications, providing invaluable business acumen that is pivotal in my role. A deep understanding of a company's operations and functions is essential for crafting effective human capital strategies. Moreover, I hold a Professional in Human Resources certification from the Human Resources Standards Institute, with a specialized focus on California state employment laws. I am also a Society for Human Resources Certified Professional. With over 11 years of hands-on experience in various HR functions, I have consistently applied my educational background to excel in my field. My capabilities span from managing operational tasks to providing strategic guidance. The services I provide include, but are not limited to: Coaching and Leadership Guidance Process Improvement and HR Automation Payroll Processing Leave of Absence Management Workplace Investigations Benefits Selection and Administration COBRA Compliance and Administration Compensation Analysis Workforce Planning Talent Recruitment and Hiring Performance Management Onboarding/Offboarding Employees Develop Employee Handbooks Employee Engagement, Job Satisfaction, Affective Commitment Solutions

I am a strategist and problem‑solver who can quickly assess your HR pain points and implement practical, effective solutions. I’m a SHRM‑CP–certified Human Resources professional with more than 25 years of experience, an MBA, and the SHRM California Law Specialty Credential. I work across a wide range of industries, company sizes, and states. I am also highly tech‑savvy, with deep experience evaluating, selecting, and implementing HR and payroll systems. If you go through me, I can secure discounted pricing with Rippling. I maintain national‑level resources for health and welfare benefits and 401(k) plans, and I can help design seamless systems integrations to streamline your operations. I specialize in navigating complex HR issues and can provide ongoing contract or part‑time HR support. I’m flexible, responsive, and committed to meeting your organization’s needs. Key HR and Business Acumen Skills: Compliance Compensation strategy Benefits administration Payroll Performance management Conflict resolution Strategy development Relationship management Leadership and coaching Training programs Team and culture development Mentoring and training Business process development Business process re-engineering HRIS systems selection, implementation and management M & A Due Diligence for HR Growth and downsizing