Senior HR Advisor

DLA Piper; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper is seeking a Senior HR Advisor to provide professional, pragmatic HR guidance across lawyers and business services, aligning with the firm’s objectives in the UK.

You will partner with line managers, resolve complex ER cases, support HR projects, and help upskill managers across UK offices through training and policy reviews.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and managing complex cases to conclusion.
• Experience across core HR areas: recruitment, reward, performance, learning & development, talent management.
• Familiarity with IR35 legislation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication.
• Good commercial awareness and business acumen.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Professional qualification (CIPD or equivalent) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provides primary source of line manager advice on HR policies and practices.
• Coaches line managers to improve communication and issue resolution.
• Advises and delivers employee relations casework including disputes, disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, redundancies and appeals.
• Leads on high-risk ER case work with guidance from external employment law consultant as needed.
• Acts as escalation for ER case work across HR Advisors and mitigates risks.
• Keeps HR Business Partners informed of case activity and risks.
• Supports HR projects and calendar activities, including line manager upskilling across the UK.
• Identifies themes from casework and proposes root-cause solutions.
• Monitors and reviews HR policies with specialist areas and GSC.

Skills

UK employment law knowledge

HR management

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Organizational skills

MS Word/Excel/Outlook/PowerPoint

Education

CIPD or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

As a Senior HR Advisor, you will deliver professional, commercial and pragmatic HR advice across all lawyer and business service professionals.

To support the achievement of the business and people objectives within the Firm, by providing a client focused service.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provides the primary source of line manager advice and guidance on HR related policies and practices
• Provides coaching to line managers to encourage effective communication & objective problem resolution
• Partner with line managers, employees and Partners, to advise and deliver employee relations casework including dispute resolutions, disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, redundancies and appeals. Drive resolution in line with legislation and internal policies
• Lead on complex and high-risk ER case work, seeking guidance from external employment law consultant where required and keeping relevant HRBP, HR Advisory Manager and key stakeholders informed throughout
• Act as escalation, alongside the other Senior HR Advisor, for HR Advisors across all ER case work, providing guidance and support where required and ensuring any risks are minimised
• Keeps HR Business Partners updated with case work activity within their practice groups / offices, highlighting risks and issues
• Supports HR Business Partners in the delivery of people projects and HR calendar activities
• In conjunction with the HR Advisory Manager, develop and deliver line manager upskilling training across the UK
• Proactively identifies themes / trends arising from casework and operational activities, completes root cause analysis and develops solutions
• Continuously monitors and reviews HR policies and processes and proposes changes where necessary, working with specialist areas and GSC

About you

The ideal candidate must have:

• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law, procedures and processes and proven experience in managing complex cases through to conclusion, balancing the needs of the business and the individual
• Good level of understanding and experience in Human Resources Management across all core areas of HR - recruitment, reward, performance management, learning & development, talent management
• Good knowledge and experience of IR35 legislation
• Strong stakeholder management, including the ability to influence and communicate effectively
• Good level of commercial awareness and business acumen
• Excellent organisational skills including attention to detail, multitasking and ability to deal with a demanding workload and conflicting priorities
• High proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• Professional qualification (CIPD or equivalent) is desirable

About us

We’re a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre‑engagement screening checks prior to your first day.

At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long‑term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre-Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre‑engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career.

Staying in touch with like‑minded people is important to us. Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm.

We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.