Human Resources Manager

Owen Reed; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Pension

Private medical

Season ticket loan

Gym memberships

Lifestyle discount scheme

On site café

Job summary

Owen Reed is seeking an experienced HR Manager to provide guidance across HR activities for a top London law firm on a 12‑month fixed-term contract. The role involves partner lifecycle support, policy updates and leading HR projects.

The ideal candidate will have a degree-level qualification and CIPD-desirable certification, with strong stakeholder management and a proactive, detail‑focused approach. Hybrid working with office presence required.

Qualifications

• Evidence of HR experience in an HR manager/business partner role – ideal from professional services.
• CIPD certification is desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate partner-related documentation including offer letters and partnership agreements.
• Oversee onboarding and offboarding for partners, with SRA compliance.
• Maintain the HR precedent bank to reflect current laws and needs.
• Lead annual reviews and updates of employee handbooks across jurisdictions.
• Develop, review and update HR policies and procedures.
• Manage AML screening, DBS checks, and regulatory background checks.
• Support employee engagement initiatives and action plans.
• Publish HR guidance pages and intranet resources.
• Coordinate HR training sessions across the generalist team.
• Monitor regulatory developments and implement policy changes.
• Lead HR projects and process improvements; take on ad hoc duties.

Skills

HR experience

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Organised

Education

Degree-level qualification (desirable)

Job description

Owen Reed is looking for an experienced, detail-oriented and driven HR Manager to join a top law firm in London on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

What Are We Looking For?

We are looking for an experienced, detail-oriented and driven HR Manager to provide support, expert advice and guidance across a broad range of HR activities. The role will be responsible for managing key HR processes and compliance requirements, supporting partner lifecycle matters, maintaining HR policies and documentation, and leading projects such as the employee engagement platform. Working closely with stakeholders across the business, the HR Manager will play a key role in ensuring the firm's people practices remain compliant, efficient and aligned with business objectives.

Areas of Focus and Responsibilities

• Coordinate the preparation of partner-related documentation, including offer letters, changes in status agreements, partnership agreements, and leaving arrangements.
• Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes for partners, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and professional obligations, including SRA requirements.
• Maintain the HR precedent bank, ensuring documentation remains accurate, compliant, and aligned with current legislation and business needs.
• Lead the annual review and update of the employee handbooks globally, coordinating input from key stakeholders across jurisdictions and managing the production of new handbooks where required.
• Develop, review and update HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and best practice.
• Manage the firm's annual anti-money laundering (AML) screening process, including conducting DBS checks, adverse media searches, and other regulatory background screening requirements.
• Support the firm's employee engagement initiatives, including the management of engagement surveys, analysis of feedback, and support the implementation of action plans.
• Develop, maintain and publish the HR guidance pages, resources and tools on the firm's intranet.
• Coordinate HR training sessions to enhance capability and consistency across the generalist HR team.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, recommending and implementing changes to HR policies, processes and documentation as required.
• Lead and contribute to HR projects, process improvements and strategic people initiatives in support of the firm's objectives.
• Undertake additional duties and projects as required to support the wider HR function and business priorities.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Skills and Attributes

• Relevant degree-level qualification (desirable)
• CIPD certification (desirable)Evidence of relevant HR experience in an HR manager/business partner role – the ideal candidate will come from a professional services background
• High work standards and detail oriented
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with internal clients – must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to build confidence, trust and respect amongst partners and managers
• A team player, with evidence of supporting the wider HR team to deliver a first class HR service to all internal clients
• Demonstrate evidence of ability to work with people at all levels
• Strong service orientation with attention to detail and a sense of urgency
• Ability to manage projects at the same time, using appropriate resources
• First class written and verbal communication skills
• Organised and driven to achieve efficiency
• Proactive, confident, tenacious, resilient and flexible

The Essentials

• 12 month fixed term contract
• 9.30am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• Hybrid working policy with a minimum of 2 days per week worked in the office
• 12 week probation period
• 12 week notice period
• Flexible benefits package including pension, private medical, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, on site café and more