HR Manager (6-month FTC)

Freshlystaged; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical cover

Life assurance

Critical illness cover

Health assessments

Cycle to work scheme

Online GP appointments

Discounted gym memberships

Electric vehicle scheme

Job summary

Bird & Bird in London is recruiting an HR Manager on a 6-month fixed-term contract. The role partners with UK business services to deliver the firm's people strategy and provide expert employee relations guidance across client groups.

Reporting into the Head of HR for London, you will lead talent management, performance reviews and change initiatives while ensuring HR policies stay compliant. A CIPD qualification is highly desirable and collaboration with global HR teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in professional services environment and CIPD qualification highly desirable.
• Ability to influence within a partnership environment and communicate effectively.
• Knowledge of recruitment systems and HR databases is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Heads of Department to drive talent management and employee engagement.
• Lead the performance management cycle, including reviews and objective setting.
• Coach and develop managers on people management best practices.
• Provide expert employee relations advice on complex matters.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of HR strategy and policy.

Skills

People management

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Talent management

HR policy compliance

Change management

HR strategy

Education

CIPD qualification

Tools

ATS

HR databases

Job description

HR Manager role in London HR team on 6-month contract

Partner with UK business services departments to deliver firm's people strategy

Provide advice, guidance and support in aspects of people management

Offer expert employee relations advice and ensure HR policies remain compliant

Participate in development and implementation of HR strategy

We have an exciting opportunity for an HR Manager to join the London HR team on a 6-month fixed-term contract.

Working as part of the UK HR team, the HR Manager's role is to business partner with their client groups (UK-based business services departments) to deliver the firm's people strategy.

The post-holder will work in a collegiate environment with colleagues from Partner HR, Talent Acquisition, Reward & Benefits, Early Careers, HRIS and Diversity, Inclusion & Corporate Responsibility teams. Strict confidentiality and discretion are key requirements of this role. A genuine interest in Human Resources and a desire to learn are essential.

In London, the team comprises of HR professionals across all areas from graduate and lateral recruitment, learning & development to teams specialising in generalist HR, our HR system, partner HR, corporate social responsibility and diversity: all working alongside our international colleagues in supporting our 33 offices. Collaborative and committed to creating a valuable service to the firm, we are focused on providing the best service to all Bird & Bird employees and partners.

Key Responsibilities

The Generalist HR team is headed by the Head of HR (for the London office). Working alongside a Senior HR Manager, this role is supported by a Senior HR Officer and the HR admin team. The team reports into, and works closely with, the Chief People Officer to provide global client groups with a high quality, responsive and proactive HR service. A focus on service delivery and an ability to communicate and build relationships at all levels is key.

The successful candidate will work alongside the London HR team, with the main objective to provide first-rate advice, guidance and support to our business services departments, including the Heads of Department, line managers, and business services employees in all aspects of people management. Key areas of responsibility include:

• Partner with Heads of Department to drive talent management, performance, career development and employee engagement across Business Services teams.
• Lead the performance management cycle, including performance reviews, moderation processes, objective setting, feedback culture and follow-up actions.
• Coach and develop managers and leaders on people management best practices, employee development and effective leadership behaviours.
• Provide expert employee relations advice on complex matters including disciplinary, grievance, absence management, family leave, flexible working, restructures and managed exits.
• Ensure HR policies and practices remain compliant and competitive, applying employment legislation in a commercially focused and pragmatic manner.
• Support organisational change initiatives, partnering with stakeholders to manage change, employee wellbeing and workforce engagement.
• Analyse HR metrics and management information, providing insights and recommendations to support attraction, retention, workforce planning and business decision-making.
• Lead reward and recognition activity within designated client groups, including annual salary and bonus reviews, benefits guidance and market benchmarking.
• Partner with business leaders on workforce planning and recruitment, including headcount forecasting, role design, recruitment approvals, talent acquisition support and immigration matters.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of HR strategy, collaborating with UK and international HR teams to drive continuous improvement, operational excellence and alignment with business objectives.

About you

• Experience in professional services environment and CIPD qualification highly desirable.
• Able to demonstrate a deep understanding of current HR issues and willingness to continuously develop own role to improve HR delivery to clients.
• Knowledge of recruitment applicant tracking systems and HR databases is desirable, although an agile approach to systems is preferred as HR systems may change over time.
• Ability to influence within a partnership environment.
• Actively seeks to improve lines of communication internally and externally to the department.
• Works with other managers to promote a 'one team' ethos.
• People and performance management experience is essential.
• The ability and willingness to share best practice knowledge and experience is a key success factor.
• A deep understanding of matrix organisations and ability to manage within their structures.
• A strong sense of clients' needs and the ability to tailor a best practice approach to suit a wide range of different client groups and styles.
• Determination, discretion and tact as well as a strong sense of personal pride and responsibility for delivering a first-class service.

What's in it for you

We provide comprehensive support for our colleagues' health and wellbeing.

• private medical cover
• life assurance
• critical illness cover
• regular health assessments
• cycle to work scheme
• access to online GP appointments
• discounted gym memberships
• electric vehicle scheme

Bird & Bird opens up a world of possible for lawyers and professionals everywhere. Working for a leading international law firm like Bird & Bird means working alongside people who are truly collegiate in the way they work with everyone. We work as one global team, with over 70% of work involving people from across the firm. And that's only increasing! It's this common purpose and shared approach that makes for a more productive and collaborative place to work. Your firm. Your future.

As a disability and neurodiversity inclusive employer we want to ensure that you have a barrier-free recruitment experience at Bird & Bird. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please provide details to your recruitment contact who will be in touch to discuss any details provided and understand more about your individual adjustment needs.

If this job opportunity is not suitable, then check out the other LGBT friendly jobs across UK!