Senior HR Manager (18 month contract)

Allen & Overy LLP; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior HR Manager to join their London office on an 18-month contract. This role involves providing comprehensive HR support to finance and innovation teams, driving strategic HR initiatives, and advising senior management on HR matters. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial acumen and a proven track record in HR within a corporate environment. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the HR strategy, managing talent development, and ensuring compliance with employment laws. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are passionate about HR, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Significant HR experience in corporate or professional services.
• CIPD or similar certification preferred for this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR initiatives and support senior management in strategic planning.
• Manage annual HR processes and promote talent development.

Skills

HR Management

Employment Law

Strategic Planning

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Commercial Acumen

Problem Solving

Education

CIPD Certification

Degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

Compass (performance management tool)

Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Senior HR Manager to join our London office on an 18 month contract to be responsible for providing (through facilitation and delivery) implementation of all aspects of Human Resources support for some Finance fee-earning groups as well as our Advanced Delivery & Solutions and Innovation business areas. This role is to provide cover for an internal secondment.

Role and responsibilities
Work closely with the Global Head of HR to define and implement the business strategy for the Practice Groups/AD&S and Innovation businesses including:

• Contribute to the strategic planning process
• Lead and execute the groups salary and bonus review process
• Identification and mapping of talent and succession pipeline
• Facilitation of the Groups’ culture through HR initiatives
• Support and provide advice to the leadership of the Groups
• Attendance at management meetings for HR initiatives
• Analysis and translation of global business reporting to aid business decisions

Work as a fully integrated and trusted senior advisor to the Partners and Directors within the Groups by:

• Advising on all HR matters (particularly in relation to risk and cost) related to the recruitment, development, movement (client or international secondments) and retention of individuals within the Practice Groups and across AD&S and the Innovation teams, facilitating issue resolution through the Central HR teams and other Support Departments
• Providing strategic input to influence the design of London wide projects for the benefit of the Groups and working with Central HR/ other Support departments to ensure smooth implementation in the Groups
• Identification and proactive resolution of group issues/ themes
• Supporting partners and directors to deliver effective employee management processes and messages
• Working with and supporting the directors on implementing KPI’s, and the monitoring of KPI’s
• Providing advice and supporting the team strategy and change management plans
• Supporting a number of sub-groups on day-to-day HR issues, including attendance and input to regular partner/management meetings
• Being responsible for the successful execution of Compass (performance management tool) / talent discussions and check-ins, salary and bonus process for fee earners, AD&S and business teams employees
• Ensuring that development outcomes arising from talent discussions are assessed and actioned, including preparation for attendance on development and leadership programmes and tailored development plans
• Support the talent and inclusion agenda
• Support and deliver on the wellbeing initiatives for the Groups
• Collaborating and liaising with the support leads in the Groups in provision of a coherent and co-ordinated service to the Groups and the firm, including Business Development, Finance, Knowledge, Innovation and the Group Manager
• Analysis and action planning following employee engagement surveys (i.e MySay / Ways of working)

Implementation of the annual global HR processes for the Practice Groups/AD&S businesses including:

• Managing relevant senior promotion processes for the Groups together with the HR Manager and HR specialist, including briefing and preparing candidates and their sponsors and supporting newly promoted candidates embed into their new roles
• Leading the headcount and HR-related financial budgeting process
• Leading the annual promotion and reward review process
• Lead the talent meeting and Compass process
• Oversee the AD grad programme (with support from the HR specialist)

Key requirements

• CIPD or similar certification preferred
• Technical competence in all aspects of employment law, compliance practices and policies with significant HR experience
• Will have worked successfully as a HR practitioner in a corporate, finance, professional services, consultancy or law firm
• Excellent track record of working with senior management within a complex international organization
• Strong commercial/business acumen with the ability to influence strategic thinking/direction through creative and pragmatic issue resolution
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface at all levels and particularly to win the respect of the partner community, building and developing strong client relationships
• Collaborative team player with the ability to nurture and work in a fast paced, intellectually rigorous environment
• High energy individual who enjoys both the operational and strategic sides of this role and shows great flexibility
• Resilient; able to understand that credibility has to be earned in this environment and may take time
• A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility in the organisation and act as a trusted advisor to senior management
• Ability to deal sensitively with difficult issues and personalities