Head of HR France

freshfields; Paris; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Professional development

International exposure

Job summary

Freshfields in Paris seeks a Head of HR France to lead the people strategy, partner with the Paris partnership, and shape organizational initiatives that support business priorities.

You will oversee the local HR team, manage talent, performance and reward, recruitment, employee relations, and HR operations, ensuring compliance with French employment law and delivering a high-quality service to the firm.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in a comparable HR leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of French employment law and employee relations.
• Professional HR, legal or equivalent qualification required.
• Credibility to advise senior stakeholders in an international firm.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the France people strategy in line with firm priorities.
• Lead and develop the local HR team and provide high-quality service.
• Oversee talent planning, performance, and reward processes.
• Manage end-to-end recruitment and graduate strategy in France.
• Provide senior-level ER advice and ensure compliance with French law.
• Oversee HR operations, payroll governance, and data reporting.

Skills

HR leadership

Strategic HR

French employment law

Stakeholder management

People analytics

Change management

Bilingual FR/EN

Education

HR or legal qualification

Tools

HRIS (Workday)

Job description

The Head of HR France is a strategic HR leader and trusted adviser to the Paris partnership and leadership team, responsible for shaping and delivering the people agenda in support of the firm's business priorities. Acting as a key business partner, the role drives talent, culture, and organizational initiatives to enable business success. The Head of HR France reports directly to the Paris Managing Partner and the Head of HR Continental Europe.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

HR Strategy and Leadership

• Partner with the partnership and business leaders to define and deliver the France people strategy in line with firm and Paris office priorities.
• Lead, develop and prioritise the local HR team, ensuring an effective, responsive and high-quality service.
• Advise leaders on organisational change, workforce priorities and people-related risks, and lead the local implementation of strategic HR programmes and systems.

Talent, performance and reward

• Lead workforce and succession planning, identifying capability gaps and developing short- and long-term talent plans.
• Drive talent, performance and development processes, enabling individuals and teams to perform at their best.
• Oversee annual appraisal, salary and bonus reviews, ensuring fair, consistent and timely decision-making supported by accurate data.

Recruitment and workforce planning

• Translate business demand into clear resourcing plans and ensure recruitment needs are met efficiently and inclusively.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment for fee-earning and business services roles, and ensure the firm's employer brand is represented consistently.
• Set the local graduate recruitment and law student internship strategy, working closely with relevant stakeholders.

Employee relations and French labour relations

• Provide senior-level advice on complex performance, disciplinary, grievance and other employee relations matters.
• Ensure HR policies and practices meet firm standards and comply with French employment law and local regulatory requirements.
• Lead constructive relationships with employee representatives and the CSE, including required negotiations, consultations and elections.

HR operations, data and change

• Oversee effective local HR operations, payroll governance, mobility processes and collaboration with HR Shared Services and centres of expertise.
• Use people data and management reporting to support informed decisions, while ensuring the compliant handling and integrity of HR data.
• Champion employee engagement, inclusion, communication and knowledge sharing across the Paris office and wider HR community.

Key requirements

Essential

• A minimum of 8 to 10 years' experience in a comparable role, including leading and developing an HR team.
• Strong knowledge of French employment law and employee relations.
• A relevant HR, legal or equivalent professional qualification.
• Commercial judgement and the credibility to advise and influence senior stakeholders and notably partners in a complex, international environment.
• Strong organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and handle sensitive matters with integrity and discretion.
• Fluent French and English.

Desirable

• Experience in a legal, partnership or other professional services environment.

What we offer

This is an opportunity to take on a highly visible HR leadership role at the heart of our Paris office. You will work closely with the partnership and senior leaders, lead a talented local HR team and help shape the people agenda for France within an international firm. We offer a collaborative and inclusive environment, international exposure, opportunities for continued professional development, and a competitive compensation and benefits package.