What strategic HR does

Clark Schaefer Strategic HR, doing business as strategic HR, is a Cincinnati-based professional services firm founded in 1995 that delivers outsourced human resources solutions to organizations of all sizes. Since 2021 it has operated as the HR Solutions practice of Clark Schaefer Hackett Business Advisors. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of HR services — Outsourced HR, Outsourced Recruitment, Contract/Interim HR, Training & Development, Benefits & Compensation, HR Communications, Employee Relations, HR Compliance and Recordkeeping, Health Safety & Security, and Virtual HR Hero — alongside an e-Learning catalog developed in partnership with MYCA Learning and a free HR JobShop job board.

The firm's core technology footprint is modest: cloud-based HR tooling, an e-learning platform via MYCA Learning, and a free job board (HR JobShop). There is no proprietary AI/ML, no public API, and no software product of scale; technology exists to support service delivery rather than as a standalone product. Strategic HR operates as a high-touch services firm where the deliverable is consultant time and expertise rather than licensed software.

Revenue is generated through customized, scope-based pricing across managed-services engagements (multi-year outsourced HR contracts), professional-services work (recruitment on retained, contingency, or hourly terms; training delivery; contract HR placements), and freemium community assets (HR JobShop, HR Insights, SHRM PDCs) that function as marketing channels. The go-to-market is consultative and sales-led, anchored in free HR consultations, thought-leadership content, SHRM event participation, and referral-driven growth. The primary customer segments are business owners and organizations with lean or no internal HR department, alongside HR professionals seeking interim or project support, predominantly in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Dayton Ohio markets.

Name

strategic HR

Legal name

Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co.

Website

https://strategichrinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Clark Schaefer Strategic HR is a Cincinnati-based outsourced HR professional services firm serving organizations with lean or no internal HR function. Founded in 1995, it delivers customized HR management, recruitment, training, and compliance services across the Greater Cincinnati region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Resources Outsourcing

NAICS

Human Resources Consulting Services (541612), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131), Employment Services (5613)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

HR Shared Services Centers (Captive/Managed) (BPACAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recruiting Administration Outsourcing (Recruitment Support, Scheduling, Onboarding Ops) (BPACAKAG), HR Operations Administration (HRIS Admin, Records, Employee Data Mgmt) (BPACAKAC)

Keywords

• Outsourced HR services
• HR consulting firm
• Recruitment services
• Training and development
• HR compliance management

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Outsourced HR Services: Comprehensive HR outsourcing where Clark Schaefer Strategic HR manages some or all of a client's HR functions as a seamless extension of their staff, without adding headcount to the client organization. Pricing is customized based on scope of services.
2. Outsourced Recruitment: Full-cycle recruiting support with flexible pricing options including retained, contingency, and hourly rates. They offer on-demand recruiting services for entry-level to executive roles, functioning as an extension of the client's staff.
3. Training & Development: Customized training programs for employees, supervisors, managers, and leaders. Training is delivered in three key areas: Supervisor/Management, Organizational Culture, and Emerging Topics. Can be delivered at client location or company facility.
4. Contract/Interim HR Services: Short-term or long-term HR professionals placed with clients during transitions, heavy workloads, or extended team member absences. Provides coverage for Contract HR, Recruiting, Payroll, and Benefits positions.
5. HR JobShop Platform: Free job board platform connecting HR employers with qualified candidates. Revenue is not generated directly from this platform; it serves as a free resource to promote the HR field and empower HR career pursuers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Clark Schaefer Strategic HR is a full-service outsourced human resources firm that manages some or all of an organization's HR functions as a seamless extension of the client's staff, without adding internal headcount. Core offerings include outsourced HR management, full-cycle recruiting, interim/contract HR support, customized training and development, benefits and compensation advisory, HR compliance and recordkeeping, employee relations, and health/safety/security services, complemented by a free HR JobShop job board and e-learning courses delivered through MYCA Learning.

Product overview

Clark Schaefer Strategic HR is a professional services firm offering outsourced HR solutions rather than a software product. The core offering is a comprehensive suite of HR services that can be customized to manage some or all of an organization's HR functions without adding headcount. The service portfolio includes: Outsourced HR Solutions (the primary service), HR Strategy, Outsourced Recruitment, Contract HR Services, Training & Development, Benefits & Compensation Services, HR Communications, Employee Relations, HR Compliance and Recordkeeping, Health Safety & Security, and Virtual HR Hero. Two complementary platforms serve as resources: the HR JobShop (a free job board for HR professionals) and Client Job Openings (connecting candidates with client positions). An e-Learning platform (developed with MYCA Learning) provides digital training courses on topics including harassment prevention, workplace safety, and professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Outsourced HR Solutions Comprehensive outsourced HR management service enabling organizations to delegate some or all of their HR functions without adding internal headcount, providing experienced HR professionals as a seamless extension of the client's team.
• HR Strategy Aligns HR strategy and initiatives with overall company strategy, including establishing new HR functions for organizations without dedicated HR staff.
• Outsourced Recruitment Full-cycle recruiting support with flexible pricing options (retained, contingency, and hourly rates) for entry-level to executive roles, acting as a seamless extension of the client's staff.
• Contract HR Services Interim HR support for short-term or long-term needs during transitions, heavy workloads, or extended team member absences, providing contract HR, recruiting, payroll, and benefits coverage.
• Training & Development Customized training programs covering supervisor/management development, organizational culture, and emerging topics, delivered at client facilities or company locations.
• Benefits & Compensation Services Expert assistance ensuring that total compensation packages are competitive, affordable, and appropriate for the organization and its employees.
• HR Communications Development of effective communication vehicles to engage and inform employees, including handbooks, employee surveys, and newsletters.
• Employee Relations Support for nurturing employee satisfaction and retention, including expert assistance for challenging situations such as conflict, harassment, or bullying.
• HR Compliance and Recordkeeping Audit of recordkeeping and HR programs to improve efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with employment regulations.
• Health, Safety & Security Workplace safety risk minimization, OSHA recordkeeping compliance, incident response planning, and wellness program development.
• Virtual HR Hero On-demand HR support providing flexible access to HR expertise without the commitment of a full-time hire.
• e-Learning Courses Interactive on-demand digital training developed in partnership with MYCA Learning covering harassment prevention, drug-free workplace, workplace violence, active shooter preparedness, safety certification, unconscious bias, workplace diversity, and knowledge transfer.
• HR JobShop Free job board platform exclusively for HR positions where employers can post jobs and HR candidates can post resumes, with both standard and confidential profiles and job postings expiring after 60 days.
• Client Job Openings Job board connecting job seekers with positions from Clark Schaefer Strategic HR's client companies across various industries in the Cincinnati area and nationally.

Quantifiable outcome

• Employee turnover reduced from ~75% to 25% over 9-12 months for a startup manufacturer client (Amantea Nonwovens)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MYCA LearningcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with MYCA Learning to offer e-learning courses for company-wide training and development. Interactive on-demand digital training covers topics including harassment prevention, drug-free workplace, workplace violence, active shooter preparedness, safety certification, unconscious bias, workplace diversity, and knowledge transfer. Courses are delivered through MYCA's platform with certificates upon completion.
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHRM Recertification Provider status allows Clark Schaefer Strategic HR to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification activities. This partnership enhances credibility and provides continuing education value to HR professionals.
• CincySHRMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsorship of HR events and networking opportunities including spring happy hours and educational sessions. Collaboration on community-building events for HR professionals in the Greater Cincinnati area.
• NKY SHRM (Northern Kentucky SHRM)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosting events including DisruptHR presentations and civility index discussions. Partnership for professional development events serving the Northern Kentucky HR community.
• PaycorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosting webinars on HR topics including performance management lifecycle, stronger HR practices, delegation, and employee benefits. Joint marketing efforts for HR educational content.
• Dinsmore Shohl LLPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsorship of Government Affairs HR Legal Update events featuring attorneys from Dinsmore Shohl LLP's Dayton office. Partnership for compliance and legal update content.
• Leadership Council of NonprofitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosting Quarterly Nonprofit HR Forums covering topics like neurodiversity in workplaces, culture and flexibility. Partnership serves the nonprofit sector with HR expertise.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Justworks: PEO and HR technology platform targeting SMBs with bundled payroll, benefits, and HR compliance. Comparable in PEO/co-employment positioning and small-business target customer; tech-enabled delivery model.
• Gusto: Tech-led HR, payroll, and benefits platform for small businesses, increasingly offering HR support and compliance advisory. Represents the SaaS-plus-services model threatening traditional outsourced HR providers like Strategic HR.

Broad incumbents

• Insperity: Large-scale PEO and HR outsourcing provider serving SMBs and mid-market companies across the U.S. Comparable to Clark Schaefer Strategic HR in core outsourced HR, benefits administration, and HR consulting offerings, but operates at vastly greater national scale.
• TriNet: PEO providing full-service HR, benefits, payroll, and risk management to small and mid-sized businesses. Directly comparable outsourced HR/PEO model serving similar client segments, though at national scale with proprietary technology.
• Paychex: Large payroll, HR, and benefits services provider with PEO (Paychex PEO) and HR outsourcing for SMBs. Comparable in HR outsourcing and benefits administration but with national scale and proprietary technology platform.
• ADP TotalSource: PEO arm of ADP providing co-employment HR outsourcing, benefits, and compliance support for SMBs. Comparable core outsourced HR offering backed by a global payroll/HR technology platform.

Direct peers

• G&A Partners: Mid-market PEO offering HR outsourcing, benefits, payroll, and risk management. Closely comparable business model (co-employment/outsourced HR for SMB and mid-market) with a similarly consultative, multi-state service approach.
• XcelHR: Mid-sized PEO/HR outsourcing firm delivering payroll, benefits, HR consulting, and recruiting services to SMBs. Closely comparable service mix and customer profile, including multi-state HR consulting.
• FrankCrum: PEO and outsourced HR firm providing payroll, benefits, workers' comp, and HR support to small and mid-sized businesses. Comparable outsourced HR service portfolio and customer segment.

Regional players

• Hibbert Group: Outsourced HR, payroll, and benefits provider serving mid-sized employers, with a strong Mid-Atlantic and national presence. Comparable outsourced HR service model and target customer profile.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CSHCO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clark-schaefer-hackett/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/clarkschaeferhackett

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about strategic HR