HR Manager, Finance, Real Estate and EPI (12 month FTC)

Herbert Smith Freehills; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in London is seeking an experienced HR Manager to provide HR leadership and expertise. This full-time role involves coaching partners, managing employee relations, and developing talent management strategies. Essential qualifications include at least 5 years of generalist experience and strong influencing skills. The position is a fixed-term contract that focuses on promoting a respectful and inclusive culture within the firm.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years' generalist experience with proven experience of operating at Manager / Business Partner level.
• Sound knowledge of current employment legislation.
• Experience of a professional services organisation would be an advantage, as would experience of working in EMEA or internationally.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR leadership and expertise on generalist issues, talent management.
• Coach partners to deliver strategic and operational objectives.
• Oversee the Partner Performance Review process and support partners in business performance.
• Provide direction for complex HR issues and support Employee Relations.

Skills

Influencing skills

Negotiating skills

Coaching skills

Education

CIPD qualified (or equivalent)

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why many are incredibly longstanding. And we enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 100 years.

We are where you need us to be. We are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. Our international footprint is extensive and committed.

We are at our best tackling complexity and navigating change. We work alongside you on demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, ESG, infrastructure and resources. And we're focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world, including technology and digitalisation.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition - which is to help you achieve yours.

Your goals. Our ambition.

The Opportunity

Primary Responsibilities

Business partnering

Provide HR leadership and expertise on a wide range of generalist issues working with Centres of Expertise (Reward, Recruitment, Operations & Analytics and Projects), where relevant. This includes talent management, succession planning and annual promotions processes for Counsel and Partner.

Coach partners to deliver their strategic and operational objectives.

Work with senior associates identified for partnership and support the firm's talent management programme. Oversee the Partner Performance Review (PPR) process actively supporting the RHoPs with any messaging.

Work alongside and influence key partners to improve business performance by challenging and encouraging change in existing working practices and behaviours.

Influence and support the various change management initiatives underway across the firm and work with senior leaders to communicate any organisational change to the practice groups as appropriate.

Employee Relations

Provide direction and expert guidance to stakeholders when leading and managing complex HR issues.

Support and develop the HR Business Partners to build employee relations capability.

Work closely with the Employee Relations team on relevant cases to support on disciplinary, grievance or capability processes.

Provide expert guidance and act as HR lead for restructures or change initiatives.

Ensure that new policies are effectively communicated and implemented in the practice groups.

Ensure the practice groups are proactively managing performance.

Resourcing

Oversee resourcing plans and work with the Practice Management Leads and Recruitment Managers to provide cost efficient and effective recruitment solutions which are in line with the needs of the business and support the sustainable profitability of the practice groups.

Oversee international and client secondments working with the International Mobility team.

Project Work

Support and deliver projects aligned to our people strategy.

Drive and lead on the People and Culture work streams in the practice groups for HSF Kramer Ambition.

Engage the relevant stakeholders across the business to ensure project deliverables are met.

Work closely with peers and senior leaders on global or firm-wide strategic projects e.g. Diversity and Inclusivity.

Team Leadership

Lead and develop the HR Business Partners to ensure the best possible standards of service delivery and to ensure their actions and advice are in line with best practice

Act as a sounding-board and informally coach the HR Business Partners on problem-solving such as developing commercial solutions.

Reward

Lead the delivery and communication of moderation, performance review, and salary review processes in conjunction with the Reward team.

Learning and Organisational Development

Promote learning and development options with partners to ensure identified development needs for them or their teams are met.

Liaise with L&OD in respect of lawyer development needs and attendance at business skills programmes

Support HR colleagues through knowledge-sharing.

Encourage the use of the Internal Coaching Faculty to deliver high performance.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Essential :

A minimum of 5 years' generalist experience with proven experience of operating at Manager / Business Partner level.

Sound knowledge of current employment legislation.

Strong influencing, negotiating and coaching skills.

Desirable :

CIPD qualified (or equivalent).

Experience of a professional services organisation would be an advantage, as would experience of working in EMEA or internationally.

Previous team management experience.

Competencies

Personal Leadership

Positively impacts those around them, makes quality decisions and develops themselves both personally and professionally.

Demonstrates sound knowledge in their field.

Anticipates potential problems and identifies a range of possible solutions.

Adapts their interpersonal style to suit different audiences in a genuine way.

Builds Authentic Relationships

Takes time to get to know people beyond their role.

Treats people with respect and in a fair and consistent way.

Recognises when colleagues are under pressure and volunteers to assist them where possible.

Collaborates with others

Works within teams and across boundaries to share knowledge and achieve results.

Identifies and builds relationships required to achieve the best outcomes for the firm.

Engages people with the right skills, knowledge and expertise to provide advice and assist with tasks.

Generously shares their time, knowledge, expertise and talent to support others’ success.

Enhances the Client Experience

Creates opportunities to enhance the experience of the firm’s clients through their daily tasks.

Behaves consistently with the firm’s values in their interactions with others.

Conducts themselves in a way that reflects positively on the firm’s brand, both inside and outside the firm.

Achieves Results

Maintains focus and drive to achieve quality outcomes.

Focuses their time and efforts on issues that will have the greatest impact on agreed objectives.

Anticipates responses and plans their approach accordingly.

Looks for the most effective way to achieve outcomes.

Maintains perspective and optimism when faced with setbacks.

Team

Human Resources

Working Pattern

Full time

Location

London

Contract type

Fixed Term Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.