Senior HR BP - Partner Relations

Department/Division: Human Resources

Duration: Permanent

Location: London (with responsibilities covering UK, Ireland and Middle East)

Reports to: Head of HR Operations

Type of Role: Hybrid

Budget Responsibilities: Yes

Reference no: 8039

The Senior HR Business Partner - Partner Relations is a strategic role within our law firm, responsible for managing and enhancing the partner lifecycle. This position involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including the partner hiring team, Divisional HR Business Partners, Practice Managers, and the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The role is pivotal in ensuring effective partner induction, development, performance evaluation, and retirement planning, thereby contributing to the firm's overall success.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the partner hiring team, Divisional HR Business Partner and Practice Managers to lead the successful integration of lateral hires into the Firm.
• Own and manage partner development processes, including 360-degree feedback and the annual performance evaluation cycle, which includes three career conversations per year.
• Work with Divisional Leaders, Practice Managers and HR Business Partners on identifying and motivating top talent, succession planning for key leadership roles.
• Lead and manage Partner Promotions process including supporting the Executive Committee and Partner Admissions group on partner promotions elections.
• Monitor partner retirement plans and collaborate with Divisional HR Business Partners and Talent Development, ensuring consistency of treatment.
• Lead discussions on leaving arrangements with retiring partners to provide relevant support on their glide path and coaching options so they leave positively.
• Analyse partner performance data and collaborate with Divisional HR Business Partners and Practice Managers and Leaders to address underperformance.
• Develop strategies to enhance partner performance and engagement.
• Work with HR Business Partners and OGC on employee relation matters concerning partners.
• Lead discussions with partners in relation to personal matters (e.g. relating to absence through illness or planning to take/ return from parental leave).
• Act as the primary point of contact for the Partners, offering professional guidance, coaching, and pastoral support where needed.
• Champion partner wellbeing by ensuring proactive support and resources are in place to support partners and collaborate with the I&D and Wellbeing Manager to drive awareness and engagement among partners, ensuring a culture that prioritises wellbeing.
• Liaise with the OGC on the administration of changing terms and exit arrangements.
• Ensure all partner-related paperwork is current, compliant and stored appropriately by coordinating with the OGC and HR Solution Centre.

Required experience, skills, and attributes

• Proven experience in an HR business partner role or equivalent, preferably within a professional services environment.
• Experience managing complex HR processes and working with senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret performance data.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and persuasively to senior stakeholders and an ability to influence and drive change at partnership level.
• Able to build good relationships at all levels of the organisation and ability to work seamlessly with colleagues, stakeholders and teams across different departments and regions.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage sensitive issues.
• Proactive and strategic thinker with a focus on continuous improvement.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment.

The role is based in London, but some travel may be required to our other offices.

Firm Profile

Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you.

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate.

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We also offer flexible working hours. During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments or support they require so they are able to perform at their best. Any information you share with us during the application process is treated in confidence.

If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand, please email recruitment.matters@dentons.com. Enquiries only please – applications will not be accepted via email. Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.