HR Consultant Services That Solve Real People Challenges
Compliance, Strategy & Growth Support
When people at work are stressed, confused, or unsure how to handle problems, it doesn’t just hurt feelings, it hurts business. That’s why our HR consultant service comes with more than just advice. It's a hands-on way to fix real problems, from messy onboarding and unclear job roles to serious legal risks.
Whether running a fast-growing startup or leading a team of hundreds, the right HR help can keep you safe, steady, and set for growth. Looking for high-quality HR support at a price that works for you? Contact us today.
What Does an HR Consultant Do?
An HR consultant works closely with your team to guide the “people-related” decisions, fix broken human resource processes, and make sure you stay compliant with the law. We are often hired when an internal HR team needs extra help or when a company doesn’t have and HR team at all.
As HR consultants, we focus on both strategy and day-to-day support. That means we help set goals, solve problems, and step in to do the work when needed.
Key roles of an HR consultant often include:
Reviewing how your HR team works and suggesting ways to improve
Solving team conflicts or issues between managers and staff
Helping write policies, job descriptions, or handbooks
Making sure your company follows state and federal rules
Training leaders to be better managers and communicators
We can work on one project or stay with your team long-term. As your company grows, your needs may shift, and our HR consultants can change with you.
Is It Time to Hire an HR Consultant?
Many businesses wait too long to seek help with HR. But ignoring people-related problems can lead to big issues such as unhappy workers, poor team performance and even lawsuits. HR support is often the missing piece that helps a business grow the right way.
Not sure if it’s time to bring in outside help? Here are signs to look for:
You're losing good employees and don’t know why
Your hiring process feels rushed or confusing
You don’t have clear rules, policies, or job roles
You’ve had trouble with labor laws or missed deadlines
Managers feel unprepared to lead or solve conflicts
You’re growing fast and can’t keep up with people-related needs
A growing business, even with just 10 to 15 team members, can benefit from an expert’s guidance. Remember, this kind of help doesn’t need to be full-time.
If your internal team is stretched thin, or if you don’t have HR staff at all, an HR consultant can jump in and help right away.
Our HR Consulting Services
We offer more than just answers for how to run your HR, we provide structure, strategy, and support too. Our consulting services are built to help your business lead your team with clarity. No matter your size or stage, we bring practical solutions that get results.
Strategic HR Planning & Leadership Support
Strong HR starts with precise planning. We work with leadership teams to align people strategy with business goals. Whether building from scratch or adjusting during growth or making a come back, we ensure your HR supports what matters most.
Key services we offer include:
Succession planning to prepare for key role changes
Workforce forecasting to plan hiring needs over time
Leadership coaching to help managers grow into better leaders
Culture shaping to improve morale, trust, and team fit
If your company doesn’t have a senior HR leader, we also offer Fractional CHRO (Chief HR Officer) services. That means expert guidance at the executive level, without hiring full-time.
Our team steps in as a partner. We listen first, then create a clear path forward that matches your company’s pace and goals.
Compliance & Risk Management
Keeping up with employment related laws can feel overwhelming, and getting it wrong can be costly. An external hr consultant helps spot risks before they become legal problems. From audits to policy updates, we make sure your business stays safe.
Our team will supports you by:
Checking your HR setup for gaps in laws like FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, and OSHA
Running audits that show where you're at risk
Helping you write or revise handbooks and policies
Training your managers so they understand the rules
When things change, like new labor laws or safety rules, we help you adjust. You’ll never have to wonder if your policies are still legal. We’ll help keep you up to date.
Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution
Some people-related problems can’t always be solved with a handbook. That’s when a fractional hr consultant can make a big difference to an organization. We bring outside support to deal with conflict the right way, with fairness and calm.
Our conflict support includes help with harassment claims, difficult terminations, and toxic team dynamics. We also offer third-party mediation, manager coaching on empathy-driven leadership, and systems to track and address repeat behavior issues before they escalate.
We don’t take sides. We help find facts, guide the process, and support a better outcome for everyone involved.
Onboarding, Retention & Talent Management
First impressions matter. A weak onboarding process can lead to confusion, low morale, and quick exits. We help businesses fix these early steps so new hires feel welcome and stay longer.
We help improve your talent systems by creating clear welcome guides, building tools to track retention trends, and designing fair performance review processes. We also coach teams on growing talent from within and plan ahead for future hiring needs so you're not caught off guard.
Keeping good people takes more than pay. It takes structure, support, and a workplace they trust. We help you build that from day one.
Interim & Fractional HR Leadership
Sometimes you need HR leadership, just not full-time. We step in when you're between hires, going through significant changes, or want expert help without adding a full-time salary.
Here’s how we help: We step into short-term leadership roles like HR Director or CHRO during times of transition, mergers, or rapid growth. Whether you need hands-on help building HR systems or strategic support without the cost of a full-time exec, we offer flexible plans that fit your needs, part-time, project-based, or on-call.
Whether you need steady support or help through a bumpy patch, fractional leadership provides structure quickly, and only when you need it.
HR Audits & Assessments
Sometimes HR feels “fine,” until something breaks. A good audit helps catch minor issues before they turn into big ones. We make the process smooth and eye-opening.
Our audits include:
Looking at handbooks, hiring steps, and file systems
Checking for compliance with state and federal laws
Talking to staff to understand what’s missing
Comparing your practices to others in your field
Giving you a clear action plan to improve
No long reports full of jargon. Just a clean list of what to fix, how to fix it, and why it matters.
Compensation & Benefits Strategy
If your pay plan feels random or outdated, you’re not alone. Many businesses struggle with setting the right mix of pay and perks. That’s where HR consulting comes in, to give you tools that make sense and save money.
We work with you to benchmark salaries by role and region, build bonus and incentive plans that motivate teams, and review your current benefits to find smart upgrades. We also help ensure everything stays compliant with ACA, ERISA, and state laws, while designing rewards that support both hiring and retention goals.
Total rewards planning also helps your team feel seen and valued. It’s not just about pay, it’s about care, growth, and trust.
DEI & Organizational Culture Development
People work better when they feel like they matter. We help you build a workplace that supports every voice and makes inclusion part of daily life, not just a slogan that gets thrown around.
Here’s how we guide the process: We start with DEI assessments that look deeper than just surface metrics. Then we offer training to help leaders and teams understand each other better. We support fair, inclusive hiring and promotion practices, and build culture programs that strengthen communication and trust across your team.
We also help your team build habits that reduce stress and prevent burnout. A healthy culture doesn’t just attract talent, it keeps it.
HR Policies, Handbooks & SOPs
Clear rules protect your people and your business. We help companies write or update the documents that explain to employees how things work. From how to report time off to what happens when problems come up.
Here’s what we support:
Writing or fixing employee handbooks that match your company culture
Creating step-by-step guides (SOPs) for everyday processes
Making sure policies follow federal, state, and local laws
Reviewing rules for fairness, clarity, and legal safety
Adding digital formats and language options if needed
Your policies help your team feel safe, supported, and informed when done right. They also reduce risk if legal issues come up.
Job Descriptions & Role Clarity
When job roles aren’t clear, teams get stuck. People step on toes, or worse, don’t step up at all. That’s why job descriptions matter.
Here’s what we focus on: aligning each role’s duties with your business goals, writing job descriptions that reflect modern work environments—including remote and hybrid setups—and making sure everything is legally sound under ADA and EEO rules. We also ensure your org chart matches how your team actually works, so roles are clear and easy to understand.
Your people do their best when they know exactly what’s expected. We make that easy.
Custom HR Consulting for Your Business Size & Industry
Every business is different. We help you build an HR plan that fits your team, budget, and goals.
Startups & Small Businesses
Small teams move fast and sometimes skip HR steps. This can lead to stress, mistakes, or legal risks. Our services help small businesses get the basics from the start.
We guide you through key first steps like writing job offers, building a simple policy set, and training your first managers. Our packages are designed to be easy to use, with tools like onboarding checklists and HR templates.
Most of all, our service grows with you. You won’t outgrow us. You’ll just level up your support as you grow.
Nonprofits & Public Sector Organizations
Nonprofits and public agencies have a unique challenge: do more with less. Budgets are tight, but rules are strict. People matter, but so does staying in line with regulations.
That’s where an external hr consultant can help. We provide clear, budget-friendly support that works within your mission.
We help with compliance for grant-funded roles and union environments, while also building fair, people-first policies that meet legal requirements. Our team sets up performance systems that reflect your organization’s values and trains managers to lead with both care and clarity.
You don’t need a big budget to have strong HR. You just need the right support.
Mid-Sized Companies
Growth is exciting, but it brings new HR challenges. With more people on the team, you need structure, training, and a way to track how things are going.
We help you standardize hiring, training, and performance steps so everything runs smoothly as you grow. Our team adds tools and extra capacity to support your in-house HR, while also helping you strengthen your culture and build retention plans that keep top talent engaged.
If you're feeling the stretch between growing fast and staying organized, we bring the balance back.
Professional Services & Healthcare
In fields like law, medicine, and finance, the pressure is high and the talent pool is tight. These roles demand strong onboarding, legal compliance, and systems that support skilled, often stressed, teams.
We support hiring processes that align with credentialing and licensure requirements, and build onboarding systems that work for detail-heavy roles. We also create retention plans tailored to high-burnout, high-skill positions, while helping you stay compliant with HIPAA, OSHA, and other key regulations.
We know that one missed step in these industries can be costly. That’s why we bring clarity, structure, and speed.
Why Choose Our HR Consulting?
Good HR doesn’t come from a template. It comes from listening, learning, and staying close to your people's real needs.
Personalized, Hands-On Support
We build real connections with our clients. Before we suggest anything, we learn your goals and how your team works day-to-day.
Your consultant wont be a distant advisor, they’re someone who checks in, answers fast, and stays involved. Whether it’s a big project or quick advice, we’re there.
You can count on:
Direct access to your consultant when you need it
Tailored support, not generic plans
A partner who sees the big picture, but handles the details too
This is what a true partnership looks like to us.
Benchmarking & Industry Best Practices
What works for one company may not work for another. But innovative businesses still learn from what others are doing well. Your consultant will use real data to help you grow with purpose.
We bring:
Market surveys for salaries, bonuses, and perks
Benchmarks for hiring speed and staff retention
Insights from companies with similar goals
Then we tailor what we’ve learned to fit your team, not just the trend.
Meet Jessica D. Winder — Your Fractional Chief People Officer
Proven HR Leadership with a Modern Edge
Jessica D. Winder is the Founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching and a certified SPHR and SHRM-SCP. With over 10 years of HR experience, she knows how to build systems that support both people and performance.
She has built HR departments from scratch, improved hiring results by 30%, and helped companies find and keep better talent. Her style is people-first and practical, “not afraid to challenge outdated HR norms,” as one client put it.
Through Jessica’s HR consultant services, Hidden Gem brings smart structure to fast-moving teams. Whether your company is scaling fast or rebuilding after turnover, she’s been there, and knows what works.
Strategic, Flexible Support for Growing Organizations
Growth brings pressure. Jessica helps ease that pressure with smart, flexible consulting designed for busy leaders. Her work is grounded in results, not red tape.
She works part-time or project-based, whatever fits your needs. And instead of giving out advice from the sidelines, she works alongside you.
She helps with:
Culture changes during growth or restructuring
Leadership coaching for new or stretched managers
Keeping your top people through better systems
Building DEI and retention programs that scale
Our plans feel custom because they are, built with your team’s pace, pain points, and future in mind.
A Human-Centered, Results-Driven Philosophy
Jessica’s HR style blends care and clarity. She knows that a great workplace lifts people up — and helps them perform at their best.
As an external hr consultant, she focuses on both: employee well-being and business health. Her certifications in inclusive workplace practices help her design systems that are fair, clear, and practical.
Case Study: HR Consulting in Action
Our clients come to us with real problems. We stay until we’ve helped fix them.
At Refine Labs, Jessica D. Winder helped reshape how career growth worked. She rolled out a leadership development program that gave employees real chances to move up—and it showed. Internal promotions jumped by 40%. Alongside that, she pushed for a fairer pay structure by setting a minimum salary across the board. That change alone helped cut turnover by 25%, giving the company a more stable, motivated team.
Frequently Asked Questions About HR Consulting
Working with an HR pro from outside your company may feel new, but it doesn’t have to be confusing. Here’s what clients usually want to know.
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They help you solve problems, build systems, and improve how you manage people. This can include training, hiring help, compliance, or culture work.
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Yes. Many small teams use a freelance hr consultant to avoid the cost of a full-time HR hire — but still get expert support.
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Both. We can build plans, and we can help put them into action. It depends on what you need.
Ready to Strengthen Your HR Function?
Strong HR means fewer problems, happier teams, and more time to focus on growth. We’re ready when you are.
Get a Free HR Health Check
Start with a free consultation, a quick conversation that gives us more insight into your HR setup. We’ll learn where you’re solid and where things could use some work.
From there, we can build a plan together, or leave you with ideas to work on in-house.
Talk to an HR Consultant Today
Have a question? Want to get a second opinion? Reach out and speak with Jessica today.
We’re here to listen, not to sell. Just tell us what’s going on, and we’ll go from there.