HR Manager - Corporate

A&O Shearman; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an HR Manager to join their London office. This role will focus on supporting the Head of HR in delivering strategic and operational HR advice across various Practice Groups. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in HR management, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively within a dynamic environment. You'll be instrumental in advising on recruitment and retention strategies, managing employee engagement initiatives, and ensuring compliance with HR policies. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about fostering a positive workplace culture, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Occupational Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Mental Health Resources

Onsite Gym

Wellbeing Centre

GP Service

Holiday Trading

Season Ticket Loans

Emergency Back-up Care Support

Parental Leave

Qualifications

• CIPD or similar certification required.
• Significant HR experience in corporate or professional services.
• Ability to influence strategic thinking and direction.

Responsibilities

• Implement HR strategy for Practice Groups and support leadership.
• Advise on recruitment, development, and retention of staff.
• Manage initiatives linked to employee engagement and wellbeing.

Skills

HR Management

Employment Law

Strategic Planning

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Team Collaboration

Commercial Acumen

Problem Solving

Education

CIPD Certification

Degree in Human Resources or related field

Job description

Job Description

We are currently recruiting for an HR Manager to join our London office to support the Head of HR in the provision of strategic and operational advice to relevant client groups and to assist in the delivery of the strategic HR plan for the Practice Groups within our Corporate department, which include:

• Compensation, Employment, Pensions & Governance
• Environment & Sanctions
• M&A
• Tax

Role and responsibilities
Working closely with the Head of HR to implement HR strategy for the Practice Groups including:

• Contribution to the strategic planning process
• Implementation of talent and succession plans
• Facilitation of culture through HR initiatives
• Support of the leadership of the Practice Groups
• Advising in all HR matters (particularly in relation to risk and cost) related to the management of the Practice Groups

Work as a fully integrated and trusted advisor to the partners within the Practice Groups including:

• Advising on HR matters related to the recruitment, development and retention of individuals within the Practice Groups and facilitating issue resolution through the Central HR teams and other Support Departments
• Identification and proactive resolution of group issues/ themes
• Supporting partners to deliver effective staff management processes and messages
• Being responsible for the successful execution of the annual review process for fee earners and support staff, ensuring that reviewers and reviewees are appropriately briefed and trained
• Ensuring that development outcomes arising from reviews are assessed and actioned, including preparation for attendance on Career Management programmes
• Responsible for the successful implementation of the salary and bonus review process
• Co-ordinate the client and international secondment planning process including identification of suitable secondees
• Collaborating and liaising with the other Support teams in the Practice Groups to provide a coherent and co-ordinated service to the practice group and the firm, including Business Development, Finance, Know-How and the Group Managers.
• Analysis and action planning following MySay Engagement survey
• Working with the finance team to supply data for the budgeting and resource planning process
• Responsibility for agreeing career breaks and other periods of unpaid leave and flexible working arrangements
• Undertaking exit interviews, analysing feedback and responding as appropriate.
• Supporting the Counsel and PSL Counsel Promotion processes for the Practice Groups, including, as appropriate, briefing and preparing candidates and their sponsors, design and implementation of the panel and assessments and supporting newly promoted Counsel/ PSL Counsel into the business
• Supporting the Senior Associate Promotion process
• Managing initiatives and projects linked to employee engagement, mental health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion.

Key requirements

• CIPD or similar certification
• Technical competence in all aspects of employment law, compliance practices and policies with significant HR experience
• Will have worked successfully as an HR practitioner in a corporate, finance, professional services, consultancy or law firm
• Excellent track record of working with senior management within a complex international organization
• Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to influence strategic thinking/direction through creative and pragmatic issue resolution
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the Partner community, building and developing strong client relationships
• Collaborative team player with the ability to nurture and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
• High energy individual who enjoys both the operational and strategic sides of this role and shows great flexibility
• Resilient; able to understand that credibility must be earned in this environment and may take time
• A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility in the organisation and act as a trusted advisor to Management
• Ability to deal sensitively with difficult issues and personalities.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office. Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.