HR Manager - Europe

Cooley UK LLP; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Cooley LLP is seeking a HR Manager - Europe to lead the UK HR team, shaping HR strategy and supporting business objectives in the London office. The role is a hands-on generalist position focusing on development, performance, succession, HRIS and analytics, and close partnership with practice groups.

The successful candidate will mentor staff, drive engagement, manage payroll-related HR entries, and collaborate on firm-wide HR initiatives.

Qualifications

• CIPD qualification or equivalent required.
• Experience managing and mentoring HR teams.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law.
• Proficient in HRIS and analytics.
• Proficient in MS Office and HR systems.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor UK HR team alongside Senior HR Manager and HR Director.
• Help maintain a cohesive, friendly culture within the HR team.
• Sign off HR payroll entries on a monthly basis.
• Design, develop and deliver learning resources for the London office.
• Oversee learning technology and ensure content is accessible.
• Train personnel in meetings and provide local in-person sessions as needed.
• Collaborate with IS Directors to standardize technology usage firm-wide.
• Stay updated on new HR and L&D trends and best practices.
• Source external training providers and manage approvals and budgets.
• Support diversity initiatives and related events within the firm.
• Undertake additional responsibilities within HR professional staff development.

Skills

People management

Employment law knowledge

HR analytics

HRIS software

Communication skills

Education

CIPD qualification

Tools

Workday

MS Office

Job description

HR Manager - Europe Cooley (UK) LLP is recruiting a HR Manager - Europe to join the Human Resources team.

Position Summary:

The HR Manager will work alongside the Senior HR Manager and HR Director (HR Management) and will have involvement in key HR projects and initiatives to contribute to the HR strategy and overall business objectives. The HR Manager holds a generalist role, with a focus on professional development, talent experience, performance management, succession planning, talent planning, and HRIS and analytics in addition to partnering with assigned practice groups and business support groups. The Human Resources Manager is responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

Position Responsibilities:

• Supervision and Management Together with the support of the Senior HR Manager, act as day-to-day supervisor, coach and mentor to the members of the UK-based HR team
• Work with local HR Management to ensure a cohesive and friendly culture is maintained within the team at all times
• Ensure that the Human Resources Team continues to be held in positive regard within the Firm
• Work with decision makers and key stakeholders as required on HR strategies
• Responsibility for signing off HR entries for payroll on a monthly basis

Business Professionals Staff Development

• Working with the Firmwide L&D Manager and local Director of HR on all aspects of the design, development, delivery, and administration of learning resources for the London office
• Oversee learning technology as it relates to the London office
• Ensure learning resources are grouped and presented to learners in a format that is intentional and supports continuous skill improvement
• Working with the Firmwide L&D Manager, directly train personnel and present in meetings as needed, including providing local in-person training
• Work with IS Directors and Managers on development of standards and procedures for the firm’s use of technology
• Keep abreast of emerging technology/L&D trends
• Researching external training providers and booking all external courses as required
• Obtaining necessary approvals and working to department training budgets
• Assisting with diversity initiatives and events
• Undertake any other tasks or responsibilities that reasonably fall within the remit of business professional staff development

Talent & Engagement Management

• Working with the Director of Employee Relations & Staff Development and local HR Management to ensure the London performance review program is a success and undertaken by all in London.
• Working with HR Management on organisational and engagement surveys
• Promote community engagement, coordinating efforts with local office Cooley Cares committees.
• Focus volunteer efforts across the firm, especially around diversity volunteering
• Create accountability among department management around Diversity & Inclusion efforts
• Promote recognition initiatives for London e.g. internal spot awards, or external recognition awards e.g. rising star awards etc.
• Coach line managers in the planning of informal learning and development programmes
• Undertake any Talent and Engagement Management tasks or responsibilities as necessary

Employee Relations

• Provide support on performance management issues for business professional staff
• Supporting line managers in developing the skills to give feedback, handle difficult conversations and preparing development plans
• Manage the capability process, coaching managers and employees and providing advice and support throughout the process
• Work with Learning & Development Manager and Senior HR Manager to ensure relevant training, coaching/mentoring support is available as required
• With the guidance of the Senior HR Manager, carry out grievance and disciplinary investigations, writing comprehensive and structured reports to facilitate decision making
• With the guidance of the Senior HR Manager, manage grievance and disciplinary processes from end to end, advising and supporting the Chair as required
• When necessary, and supervised by the Senior HR Manager, manage agreed exit conversations sensitively, liaising with the relevant parties to reach an agreement

HRIS & Analytics

• Work with the HR Advisor and HRIS global team on developing and implementing all HR technologies. This includes leading weekly project calls and assisting with testing and troubleshooting as necessary
• Produce regular, consistent and ad hoc management reports to enable appropriate decisions to be made, including but not limited to: Headcount analysis (performance/length of service etc.) Absence analysis (absence cost, absence by department/job level) Turnover analysis (attrition rates, reasons for leaving, mid-career attrition Benchmarking surveys and ad hoc reporting, as required Generalist HR

Generalist HR

• Respond to all HR requirements specific to allocated internal client groups e.g. ER, L&D, Recruitment
• Continually review HR processes and make recommendations for improvements
• Assist with research, HR policy development and updates
• Develop/maintain a detailed knowledge of HR issues through appropriate reading, seminars, networking events and practical experience
• Work closely with US-based CN HR team members to ensure the full team presents a consistent, global HR strategy where feasible and possible
• Undertake any ad hoc projects where necessary

Skills & Experience:

Required

• CIPD qualified
• Experience managing and mentoring a team
• Accomplished HR professional, ideally with direct experience of a partnership or professional services environment
• Excellent understanding of current employment law and HR best practice and proven ability to apply this in the workplace
• Excellent computer literacy including Word, Excel and Outlook

Preferred

• Experience of managing performance, talent and succession planning
• Experience of managing the talent experience
• In-depth knowledge of Workday or similar HR software

Competencies

• Ability to organise and prioritise work, as well as delegate tasks to support departments and HR Assistant when necessary
• Ability to work independently without supervision and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
• Possess excellent written, communication and proofreading skills with strong attention to detail and presentation
• Ability to inspire confidence and function in a professional and polite manner when dealing with co-workers, candidates and external providers
• Proactive, reliable, committed and punctual
• Service delivery focused with ability to recognise pressure points and to offer assistance where needed
• Confident and demonstrates the ability to command respect, gain confidence of lawyers and other staff and engender a team spirit
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic for team and self-development; can drive ideas forward and be innovative
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with good attention to detail and presentation
• Proactive and reliable
• Ability to embrace organisational change and champion as needed
• Ability to deal with confidential situations with tact, diplomacy and discretion

Reporting to this position:

• Senior Benefits and Wellbeing Advisor, HR Advisor, HR Coordinator and HR Assistant

Cooley offers an excellent benefits package and competitive compensation including:

• Enhanced family leave
• Health and dental insurance
• Group income protection
• Life assurance
• Pension
• Fertility benefits
• Wellness programs
• Employee discounts including a fitness and nutrition allowance
• And more! A comprehensive benefits brochure will be provided to all candidates during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

We strive to create an inclusive and rewarding environment that allows our people to thrive both professionally and personally. The Firm does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, promotion, termination, and access to benefits and training.

General Sign-Off:

Specific duties for this position will be assigned; the requirements may vary from time to time, depending on the needs of the Firm.