Head of AI-Driven Performance

0400 FBD USA LLP; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Freshfields, a leading international law firm, is seeking a Head of Performance to lead an AI-enabled performance practice across London and Manchester. You will define the strategic vision for continuous, insight-driven performance and oversee governance, data privacy, and the integration of AI across the performance lifecycle.

Reporting within the People function, you will lead a team of three and partner with Reward, Talent, L&D, HRIS, and HRBPs to align performance outcomes with compensation

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in performance management or broader People practices within global orgs.
• Hands-on experience integrating AI into HR/talent processes (generative AI/LLM).
• Ability to define bold, pragmatic roadmaps and drive organizational change.
• Experience leading teams across multiple offices and locations.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management to influence senior leaders.
• Understanding of data privacy, fairness, and governance in AI.
• Familiarity with Workday and collaboration tools like Microsoft 365.

Responsibilities

• Define and own multi-year performance strategy and roadmap.
• Drive AI-first approach across the performance cycle and develop playbooks.
• Partner with Reward, Talent, L&D, HRIS, and HRBPs to link performance to compensation and career development.
• Lead a small team across London and Manchester with a culture of learning and experimentation.
• Establish governance & data privacy safeguards for AI initiatives.
• Oversee systems and analytics for performance tech, incl. Workday modules.
• Champion adoption of new performance methodologies across the firm.

Skills

Performance Leadership

AI Expertise

Strategic Execution

Cross-Location Leadership

Change Management

Data Literacy

Workday

Tools

Workday

Microsoft 365

Job description

Freshfields, a leading international law firm, is seeking a Head of Performance to lead an AI-enabled performance practice across London and Manchester. You will define the strategic vision for continuous, insight-driven performance and oversee governance, data privacy, and the integration of AI across the performance lifecycle.

Reporting within the People function, you will lead a team of three and partner with Reward, Talent, L&D, HRIS, and HRBPs to align performance outcomes with compensation