HR Services Specialist — Onboarding & Employee Support

Freshfields; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Freshfields in Manchester is seeking a proactive HR Services Assistant to be the first point of contact for colleagues and to deliver a high level of customer service across the employee lifecycle.

Based in our Manchester office, you will coordinate onboarding, pre-employment screening, HR administration and data accuracy in Workday, supporting performance processes, secondments, leave, retirements and long service awards.

Qualifications

• Previous experience delivering excellent customer service within a professional environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proactive and solution-focused approach to resolving queries.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Continuous improvement mindset and openness to new technologies.
• Confidence working with HR systems and technology.
• Experience in an HR Operations or Shared Services environment.
• Experience supporting process improvement or automation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Act as a first point of contact for HR-related enquiries via telephone, email and online channels.
• Take ownership of employee queries from initial contact through to resolution.
• Process HR administration across key employee lifecycle activities.
• Prepare employment references, mortgage and rental verification letters, and business visa letters.
• Maintain accurate employee records within Workday and other HR systems.
• Support annual HR processes including pay reviews, benefits enrolment and annual leave reconciliation.
• Update HR documentation in line with legislative and policy changes.
• Build effective working relationships across the HR function and wider business.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and enhance service delivery.
• Support HR projects and initiatives focused on operational efficiency and employee experience.
• Handle confidential and sensitive information in accordance with data protection requirements and firm policies.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Teamwork

Continuous improvement

HR systems

Workday

Data accuracy

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

Workday

Job description

Freshfields in Manchester is seeking a proactive HR Services Assistant to be the first point of contact for colleagues and to deliver a high level of customer service across the employee lifecycle.

Based in our Manchester office, you will coordinate onboarding, pre-employment screening, HR administration and data accuracy in Workday, supporting performance processes, secondments, leave, retirements and long service awards.