Top 10 HR Consulting Firms in Cleveland
Cleveland’s labor force hit a record 1,154,372 in July 2025, a reminder that the people side of business has never mattered more.
Businesses here are competing for talent, adapting to new regulations, and seeking HR systems that can truly scale
According to a global study by McKinsey & Company, organizations that put human capital and workforce systems front and center deliver long-term performance gains. Meanwhile, the global HR outsourcing and consulting services market is projected to reach nearly US $81.7 billion by 2029.
That means choosing the right HR consulting partner can be a game‑changer. The right firm can help you turn your people strategy, culture, and operations into measurable business outcomes like lower turnover, faster hiring, stronger engagement, and smoother compliance. Pick the wrong one, and you’ll get HR activity without meaningful results.
In this guide, you’ll find the top HR consulting firms serving the Cleveland area. We’ll focus on what each offers, the results they deliver, and how they help leaders like you stay ahead of people challenges.
What Is an HR Consulting Firm?
An HR consulting firm is like having a people‑strategy SWAT team on call. They’re experts who step in when your internal HR is stretched too thin, or when you don’t have one at all. They help you fix what’s broken, build what’s missing, and make sure your HR strategy gets you closer to your goals.
In Cleveland, where the unemployment rate dropped to 3.8% in 2025, well below Ohio’s average of 4.4%, hiring and retaining talent have become a major hurdle for companies. That means HR consultants are vital partners in building competitive advantage locally.
Typical services include:
HR audits to uncover compliance risks
Employee handbook development and policy design
Recruiting strategy and hiring process support
Compensation planning and pay benchmarking
Culture assessments and engagement strategies
Conflict resolution and employee relations
Fractional or interim HR leadership
For Cleveland businesses, especially small and midsize companies, HR consulting firms give senior‑level guidance without the full‑time overhead. You can also get local expertise from teams who understand Ohio laws, Cleveland’s workforce trends, and what it takes to build a strong internal culture in this market.
Benefits of Working with an HR Consulting Firm in Cleveland
If you're a business leader in Cleveland, you know the challenges: a competitive labor market, ever-changing regulations, and the constant push to do more with leaner teams.
That’s where a local HR consulting firm can be a serious game-changer.
Local labor expertise. In Cleveland, unemployment rates are low, and talent is in high demand across various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. A Cleveland-based HR firm brings boots-on-the-ground knowledge of the local hiring climate, wage expectations, and where to find (and keep) the right people.
Compliance without confusion. Between Ohio laws, city-specific ordinances, and federal requirements, HR compliance is a moving target. Local consultants know exactly what applies to your business and how to stay ahead so you’re not scrambling when the rules shift.
Scalable support that fits your size. Whether you’re a 20-person shop building your first HR infrastructure or a 200-person company trying to evolve outdated processes, a consulting firm can give you just what you need.
Trusted connections that open doors. Cleveland consultants are deeply rooted in the community. That means they can tap into trusted networks for recruiting, legal support, DEI training, and leadership development to give you faster, warmer access to the resources you need.
TL;DR Top HR Consulting Firms in Cleveland
Alpha Apex Group: Turns HR into a true growth driver using proprietary culture assessments, advanced HRIS tools, and fast-track executive search. Achieves 72-hour candidate delivery, 60% quicker hires, and measurable performance gains.
ERC: Flexible to the core, ERC lets you dial HR support up or down as needed. This makes them ideal for Cleveland leaders who want expert help without the full-time overhead.
Organizational Architecture: They’re pros at translating complex HR strategy into clear, everyday policies your team can actually understand and use, especially when communication is your bottleneck.
Westshore HR Consulting: They dig deep with culture and engagement assessments to uncover what’s really driving disengagement and give you a roadmap to fix it.
Amotec Inc.: Amotec blends recruiting, training, and culture strategy to fix retention fast. They have dropped turnover by up to 40% for Cleveland companies just like yours.
Top 10 HR Consulting Firms in Cleveland
Before you choose an HR partner, it helps to see who’s already shaping Cleveland’s workplaces. These top 10 HR consulting firms are known for helping local companies strengthen hiring, compliance, culture, and overall people performance.
1. Alpha Apex Group
At Alpha Apex Group, we help Cleveland business leaders turn HR into a true growth engine that connects people, performance, and profit. We start with proprietary culture and HR diagnostics to uncover how systems, processes, and leadership behaviors operate within your organization. The insights shape a tailored strategy that closes performance gaps and strengthens retention.
Our consultants combine high-level advisory support with on-the-ground execution. We guide companies through transformation, workforce alignment, and post-acquisition integration to ensure practical solutions that deliver measurable results.
Alpha Apex’s proprietary toolkits include culture audits, engagement diagnostics, and process redesign frameworks. These resources help leadership teams make faster, data-driven decisions that lift productivity and morale across the organization.
We also lead in HR recruitment and executive search, with over 2,000 successful placements worldwide. Clients receive curated candidate shortlists within 72 hours, enjoy hiring cycles 60% faster than the national average, and reach an average time-to-fill of 43 days for full-time roles.
Key Services
HR outsourcing tailored to your company’s structure and growth goals
HRIS Consulting for system selection, customization, and optimization
Culture diagnostics and transformation programs that improve engagement
HRIS Implementation Consultant services for seamless integration and secure data migration
Leadership alignment and change management workshops
Compliance and risk management frameworks
Workforce analytics and talent strategy
Why work with Alpha Apex Group?
We build HR systems that work in the real world, practical, strategic, and built to perform when things get messy. Our team delivers measurable impact through speed, precision, and strategy, with 72-hour candidate turnarounds and advanced HRIS expertise that help you scale, stay compliant, and stay ahead.
2. ERC
ERC provides practical HR support that helps Cleveland companies solve everyday people challenges and stay compliant. The team assists with employee handbooks, compensation reviews, and process assessments to identify what works and what needs improvement. Their process begins with a discovery session to understand your business and define priorities.
Then they build a clear, customized scope of work with assigned consultants focused on measurable outcomes. Areas of expertise include compliance, compensation strategy, fractional HR, and I-9 audits. ERC’s flexible model allows you to choose project-based help, such as job description updates or pay structure reviews, or longer-term fractional HR partnerships.
But if you need deeper executive-level guidance, culture transformation, or hands-on help executing strategy that goes beyond advice, Alpha Apex Group delivers a more comprehensive solution.
Key Services
Compensation consulting (market pricing, salary structures, strategy)
HR compliance audits and I-9 reviews
Fractional HR support to fill day-to-day gaps without hiring full-time
HR strategy consulting, including process optimization and employee feedback
Employee handbooks and policy development that actually reduce risk
Why work with ERC?
They stand out for their flexible support models, so you get exactly what you need: no more, no less.
3. Organizational Architecture
Organizational Architecture (OA) is one of Ohio’s longest-standing independent HR consulting firms, and it shows in the way they approach people operations. They bring decades of hard-earned experience helping companies build clear org structures, set up smart compensation plans, and get real about performance.
They also offer guidance around executive comp, employee handbooks, organizational design, and coaching systems. Their process includes a comprehensive discovery and audit phase, followed by the design and implementation of hands-on tools, such as updated job descriptions, market-based compensation plans, or clearer coaching systems, so that your HR function operates like a reliable system.
Key Services
Compensation consulting (base, incentive, executive pay strategies)
Training & development for supervisors and staff
Performance management systems, coaching, and development plans
Org design: structure, role clarity, and capacity planning
Talent acquisition strategies and employer branding
HR audits, policies, and employee handbook development
Why work with Organizational Architecture?
They create employee communications, like handbooks, policies, and internal messaging, to translate HR strategy into clear, everyday guidance your team can easily follow.
4. Westshore HR Consulting
Westshore HR Consulting helps Cleveland-area businesses that want to level up their people strategies. They specialize in translating complex HR challenges, like disengaged teams, outdated policies, or unclear employee relations, into real, workable plans that improve engagement and keep your operation running smoothly.
They start by getting to know your team’s strengths and weak spots through deep-dive culture and engagement assessments. From there, they design policies, training, and communications. Westshore also offers fractional and interim HR pros, so if you’re in a leadership gap, scaling fast, or managing through change, they can slot in right where you need them with no long-term commitment required.
Key Services
Culture and engagement assessments that reveal what’s working and what’s not
HR policy and practice reviews to streamline systems and improve compliance
Employee and labor relations strategies that reduce conflict and build trust
Training strategy development to upskill teams and close performance gaps
Small business HR solutions, including checklists and scalable toolkits
Fractional and interim HR support for projects, transitions, or temporary gaps
Why work with Westshore HR Consulting?
Westshore HR Consulting culture and engagement assessments are excellent at pinpointing key issues as well as giving you a clear, customized action plan to fix them.
5. Amotec Inc.
Amotec Inc. brings a full-spectrum people strategy that helps Cleveland companies tighten operations, retain talent, and build the right teams. They specialize in aligning HR practices with your culture, team dynamics, and operational efficiency. Their consultants also work with HR generalists, managers, and executive leadership to strengthen internal capability and ensure consistent performance across departments.
Their work often begins with recruitment, improving job descriptions, attracting qualified candidates, and refining interview processes to help clients hire faster and smarter. Beyond hiring, Amotec assists with training initiatives, policy updates, and culture-focused consulting that supports long-term growth.
Key Services
Full-cycle recruitment and hiring process support
Custom employee training and development programs
HR audits and policy revamps for compliance and clarity
Culture strategy and employee engagement planning
Workforce alignment for productivity and retention
HR support tailored for startups, mid-sized, and growing companies
Why work with Amotec Inc.?
They focus on helping Cleveland companies build reliable, high-performing teams through structured hiring, targeted training, and HR systems designed around real business needs.
6. Connected HR
Connected HR delivers an “HR‑in‑a‑Box” model where dedicated HR pros become part of your organization’s rhythm on‑site (or closely aligned) so you get both strategy and hands‑on execution. They start by reviewing policies, procedures, compliance gaps, pay practices, talent acquisition, and engagement.
After diagnosing issues, they implement targeted fixes like updating handbooks, aligning pay structures, refining recruiting and onboarding, embedding metrics and dashboards. Their flexible model allows project-based consulting, interim HR leadership, or ongoing partnerships that adapt as your company grows or transitions. Connected HR primarily supports small and midsize businesses that need professional HR systems without hiring a full internal team.
However, if you're looking for a partner that combines deep diagnostic tools with executive-level change management, especially during high-stakes growth or restructuring, Alpha Apex Group brings a broader, more strategic edge.
Key Services
HR audits that surface compliance issues and workflow gaps
Legal and regulatory reviews, including I-9s and wage/hour compliance
Employee handbooks that are clear, current, and legally sound
Compensation and benefits strategy tied to business goals
Full-cycle recruiting help: job descriptions, sourcing, and onboarding
Culture diagnostics and engagement tracking
Fractional HR professionals embedded directly into your team
Why work with Connected HR?
Because they wrap full‑service HR operations into one adaptable package so you get expert HR leadership and execution at a predictable cost.
7. Barnes Wendling CPAs
Barnes Wendling might be best known as a CPA firm, but their HR consulting arm offers smart support for companies that need to tighten up compliance, improve hiring, and get more out of their people operations. They audit your current HR setup, flag any gaps or legal exposure, and help clean things up, whether that’s your handbook, your hiring process, or how you define roles.
They’ll even step in during the recruiting process to handle screening and first interviews, so you only spend time with serious candidates. Their approach emphasizes optimizing HR operations to save time, reduce overhead, and ensure a better return on investment in employees
Key Services
HR audits to identify risk and streamline operations
Recruiting support, including early screening and interview coordination
Job description development and hiring process optimization
Employee handbook creation and policy reviews
Why work with Barnes Wendling CPAs?
Barnes Wendling combines HR expertise with compliance-first thinking, so your people practices are audit-ready from day one.
8. Your Partner in HR
Your Partner in HR takes a hands-on approach to supporting growing Cleveland businesses with practical, senior-level HR guidance. The team assists with compensation planning, organizational restructuring, and long-term people strategy, then stays involved through execution to ensure results stick.
YPHR also provides fractional HR services, giving companies flexible access to experienced professionals without the cost of a full-time team. Their expertise extends to leadership and performance coaching, helping organizations strengthen management capabilities, enhance culture, and build a sustainable coaching mindset across teams.
Key Services
Fractional HR support that feels like in-house leadership
Compensation strategy and pay benchmarking
Recruiting and talent optimization, from job design to assessments
Outplacement and retirement planning for smoother transitions
Training and leadership development programs
Legal and compliance advisory tied to local and federal laws
Why work with Your Partner in HR?
YPHR combines HR strategy and wealth‑/retirement‑planning services in one firm, so on top of fixing HR problems, you build financial security for your people and leaders, too.
9. RS HR Consulting
Ryan Sheehan, Principal Consultant at RS HR Consulting, is a seasoned Human Resources and Talent Management professional with over 18 years of experience aligning people strategies with business goals. He has built and improved HR programs, processes, and technology frameworks that drive measurable organizational impact.
Ryan also brings deep expertise in talent acquisition by helping employers connect with high-performing candidates through effective recruiting strategies, training, and leadership development. The RS HR Consulting team includes specialists with decades of real-world HR experience across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
Key Services
Development of policies, procedures, systems, and tools
Talent acquisition and management
Organization development, like workforce planning and change management
Compensation and total‑rewards consulting
HR systems services
Fractional & interim HR leadership
Why work with RS HR Consulting?
They bring senior-level HR expertise with real-world experience across private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
10. Tru Art HR
Tru Art HR helps Cleveland businesses strengthen teams, stay compliant, and manage HR with clarity and consistency. Their consultants offer end-to-end support, including talent acquisition, employee relations, compliance management, compensation planning, performance development, and organizational design.
They focus on simplifying HR through practical, customized systems that align people strategy with business goals. From short-term projects to ongoing partnerships, Tru Art HR builds processes that reduce risk, improve retention, and enhance engagement. Based in Ohio, their team stays ahead of changing employment laws and workplace trends to help you create positive, compliant, and growth-ready work environments.
Key Services
Employee handbook development and policy updates
Recruiting and onboarding strategy and support
Performance management frameworks and coaching systems
Employee relations and conflict resolution guidance
Compliance advisory with a focus on Ohio labor law
Ongoing or project-based HR consulting customized to your needs
Why work with Tru Art HR?
Because they specialize in turning chaotic or outdated HR setups into smooth, compliant systems.
How to Choose the Right Cleveland HR Consulting Firm
When you’re picking the right HR consulting partner in Cleveland, here’s what to look for and what to watch out for.
Can they flex between strategy and execution?
Some firms love building strategy decks. Others are great at boots-on-the-ground HR work like hiring, policy rollouts, and employee relations. The best can do both, or bring in partners who can. If you’re only getting vision with no support to implement, you’ll be stuck. Ask: “Who will actually be executing the work, and what happens after the initial plan is built?”
Do they work well with non-HR leaders?
Not every company has an in-house HR team. If your firm works mostly with HR professionals, they might struggle to communicate with CEOs, COOs, or founders who need clarity. If your consultant can’t explain concepts like compensation benchmarking or FMLA changes in plain English, keep looking. Ask: “How do you support companies that don’t have a full HR department in place?”
Do they build around your business model?
You shouldn’t have to jam your company into someone else’s framework. A strong consultant asks about your goals, growth plans, and org structure before recommending solutions.
Be cautious of anyone who pushes a standard 12-month retainer or cookie-cutter onboarding template right out the gate. Ask: “Can you share an example where you adapted your process to fit a company like ours?”
Are they proactive about compliance without being fear-based?
Yes, staying legal matters, but if every conversation starts with horror stories about fines and lawsuits, you’re being sold fear rather than solutions. Look for firms that offer compliance confidence while helping you build a healthy culture. Ask: “How do you help clients stay compliant without slowing down the business?”
Partner with Alpha Apex Group for Smarter, Scalable HR Solutions
Choosing the right HR consulting partner can help you unlock clarity where your team needs it most. Whether that’s cleaning up compliance gaps, restructuring for scale, or building a culture that retains talent, the firms on this list offer real tools to move the needle. But not all partners are built the same. For Cleveland-based leaders trying to grow without the usual growing pains, the difference often comes down to strategic follow-through.
That’s where Alpha Apex Group stands out. We blend executive-level strategy with hands-on culture transformation, change management, and real performance lift.
Our proprietary diagnostic tools, proven talent frameworks, and post-M&A culture playbooks are especially powerful for leaders dealing with growth, change, or complexity.
If you want a partner that delivers boardroom credibility and floor-level traction, contact us.
FAQ: Find the Right HR Partner in Cleveland
What does a Human Resources Consulting firm actually do?
HR consulting firms help you build smarter people systems, from compliance and hiring to performance management and employee experience. For companies in Cleveland, Ohio, that means tapping into local expertise to solve real-world problems with tailored support.
How can HR consulting improve our talent management strategy?
The right partner, such as Alpha Apex Group, helps you attract, grow, and retain top talent by aligning hiring, onboarding, training, and leadership development into one seamless workforce strategy so your people drive performance instead of stalling it.
Is Human Resources Consulting just for large companies?
Not at all. Many Cleveland, Ohio, businesses, especially fast-scaling small to mid-sized ones, use HR consultants to fill gaps, upgrade processes, or fix culture issues without hiring full-time staff.
How does Alpha Apex Group improve employee experience during rapid growth?
AAG uses proprietary culture diagnostics and custom HR systems to help growing companies in Cleveland, Ohio, reduce burnout, clarify roles, and build an employee experience that boosts retention and engagement at every level.
What makes Alpha Apex Group’s workforce strategy different?
Unlike generic consultants, AAG ties every workforce strategy directly to business outcomes, using hands-on tools, coaching, and real-time data to fix talent gaps and build long-term systems that scale with you.
