HR Manager (6-month FTC)

LGBT Jobs; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing support

Private medical cover

Life assurance

Cycle to work

Job summary

Bird & Bird in London is seeking an HR Manager on a 6‑month fixed‑term contract to partner with UK business services and delivery teams. You will lead talent management, performance reviews and employee relations, guiding managers and ensuring policy compliance.

The successful candidate will bring CIPD-level knowledge, confidentiality, and discretion, with experience in professional services. The role sits within the London HR team and collaborates with global HR colleagues.

Qualifications

• Experience in professional services HR delivery and partner-based advisory.
• Strong grasp of HR policy, employment law and best practices.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and build trusted relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide first-rate HR advisory support to UK client groups.
• Lead talent management, performance reviews and development planning.
• Coach managers on people management and leadership behaviours.
• Manage employee relations issues including disciplinary and absence matters.
• Ensure compliant and competitive HR policies and processes.
• Support change initiatives and workforce planning.

Skills

Talent management

Performance reviews

Employee relations

Client liaison

Education

CIPD qualification

Job description

HR Manager position in London on a 6-month fixed-term contract

Responsibilities include talent management, performance reviews, and employee relations advice

Desirable experience in professional services and CIPD qualification

Role requires confidentiality and discretion

Comprehensive health and wellbeing support offered

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, including private medical cover, life assurance, critical illness cover, and regular health assessments. In addition, we offer a range of lifestyle benefits designed to help our team live their best lives, such as a cycle to work scheme, access to online GP appointments, discounted gym memberships, and an electric vehicle scheme.

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.