Human Resources Advisor

Lawrence Stephens Limited; City Of London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Stephens Limited in City of London is seeking a capable HR Advisor to support the employee lifecycle, HR systems, people data and employee relations. You will manage routine processes independently while collaborating with the HR Manager on sensitive matters.

This role requires a degree and at least four years' generalist HR experience in a professional services setting. You will handle onboarding, probation, payroll input, absence management and HR reporting in a busy, growing firm.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• At least 4 years previous experience in a generalist HR Advisor role.
• Good understanding of core HR processes and UK employment practices; keen to develop HR knowledge.
• Experience maintaining HR systems and employee records; comfortable learning new systems.

Responsibilities

• Act as first point of contact for routine employee and manager queries; guide on HR policies and processes.
• Coordinate probation reviews and maintain records; flag performance or conduct concerns.
• Support HR projects and process improvements; contribute ideas and implement changes.
• Maintain HR intranet content and support HR self-service systems; resolve access or data queries.
• Coordinate onboarding and leaver processes; deliver HR induction for new starters.
• Support monthly payroll processes by gathering changes and updating payroll records.
• Assist with absence management; act as super user for the absence system (Moorepay).
• Review letters drafted by HR Assistant and produce employee letters as needed.
• Coordinate performance development and improvement processes; arrange meetings and follow up actions.
• Support benefit processing for joiners/leavers in partnership with the business.
• Maintain accurate employee data across HR systems and master spreadsheets; support reporting.
• Be a culture ambassador and develop relationships across the firm.
• Assist with new HR initiatives and occasional delegation to the HR Assistant.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written comms

Organised and prioritises workload

Proactive and self-motivated

Team player and collaborative

Attention to detail

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Moorepay

HRIS / HR systems

Job description

Lawrence Stephens is a fast-growing law firm and the HR function is focused on maintaining a strong service for our employees and fostering a supportive and thriving workplace and culture.

We have a growing team providing proactive, personal advice to people and management, while driving positive change and building new processes at the same time.

This role reports to the HR Manager and provides practical support across the employee lifecycle, HR systems, people data and employee relations. The successful candidate will manage routine processes independently, while working closely with the HR Manager on more sensitive or complex matters.

Key responsibilities

• Act as a first point of contact for routine employee and manager queries, providing guidance on HR policies and processes including sickness absence, family leave, probation, career development, onboarding, leavers and recruitment. Escalate sensitive or complex employee relations matters to the HR Manager.
• Coordinate probation reviews, including sending reminders, supporting managers with the process, preparing standard letters and maintaining accurate records. Flag any performance or conduct concerns to the HR Manager promptly.
• Support HR projects and process improvements, contributing practical ideas and helping to implement agreed changes.
• Maintain HR intranet content and support employees and managers to use HR self-service systems, including resolving routine access or data queries and escalating technical issues where needed.
• Coordinate onboarding and leaver processes, ensuring documentation, systems and employee records are accurate and complete, and deliver the HR induction for new starters.
• Support the monthly payroll process by gathering and checking employee changes, reviewing information against contracts and HR records, updating the firm’s payroll system where appropriate and escalating any discrepancies.
• Support on all aspects of absence management including being a super user of the absence management system, Moorepay, and monitoring sickness absences.
• Review letters drafted by the HR Assistant and produce employee letters where appropriate.
• Coordinate performance development and improvement processes, including arranging meetings, preparing documentation, maintaining clear records and following up agreed actions.
• Support with benefit processing for business partner groups e.g. health cover for joiners and leavers.
• Maintain accurate employee data across HR systems and master spreadsheets, recording joiners, leavers and contractual changes promptly and supporting regular people reporting and recruitment tracking.
• Act as a role model within the firm and as an ambassador for its culture and entrepreneurial focus, proactively developing effective working relationships across the firm.
• Support HR projects, new initiatives and process improvements, contributing practical ideas and helping to implement agreed changes.
• Occasional delegation to the HR Assistant and offer guidance and supervision where appropriate.
• Any other duties reasonably requested by the HR Manager or Chief Operating Officer.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• At least 4 years previous experience in a generalist HR Advisor role required.
• A good understanding of core HR processes and UK employment practices, with an interest in continuing to develop HR knowledge.
• Experience of maintaining HR systems and employee records with the confidence to learn new systems and identify data discrepancies.
• Previous experience working in a law firm or professional service firm.
• Enthusiasm and demonstration of expertise in HR knowledge.
• Previous experience of HR systems is beneficial.
• Proficient in use of MS Office (specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Good understanding of AI in HR and experience acting responsibly when using AI.
• Ability to work within a small and busy team.
• A team player who is confident sharing information across a broader team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Organised manner with ability to prioritise workload.

Personal attributes

• Problem solver able to stay calm and efficient under pressure.
• Excellent administration, organisational and prioritisation skills with ability to manage time efficiently.
• Good attention to detail. Accurate and thorough.
• Self-motivated individual with a proactive approach.
• Consistently deliver high-quality service to stakeholders and employees.
• Sensitivity and discretion handling employee and business data and information.
• Occasional flexibility as regards to time and duties.
• Comfortable asking questions with an ability to interact with people at all levels.