Head of Human Resources in London

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (‘COO’), this is a strategic role for Allsop LLP, a partner owned, market leading property consultancy and auction business. Leading the HR team, the role is broad, requiring a strong strategic understanding of the employee life cycle and experience of delivering the needs of a regulated, LLP business. The Head of HR will have a key role in helping the firm grow successfully whilst retaining its friendly culture, reputation for developing talented advisors and building strong client relationships based on honesty, integrity, knowledge and expertise.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• HR Strategy: work closely with the Firm’s People Management Group (‘PMG’), COO, Managing Partners and Senior Partner playing a key role in development and delivery of the Firm’s HR strategy, including having regards to the firm’s IDE strategy.
• Membership of PMG and of the firm’s Operations Board and People Management group.
• Establish a strong trusted relationship with all relevant stakeholders, for example, Equity Partners and other team heads, meeting them regularly, to understand their team needs, priorities and people concerns. Provide advice, challenge and recommend solutions.
• Performance management: provide expert advice and support/coaching for line managers helping them to address issues and support (in)formal processes, delivering agreed outcomes whilst ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.
• Appraisals and promotions: develop and manage the firm’s appraisal and promotions processes, working closely with team heads and line managers. Includes supporting the Senior Partner with Equity partner appraisals.
• Recruitment: work closely with teams to understand their recruitment needs; agreeing recruitment strategy, job descriptions, contracts, compensation packages, participating and supporting interviews etc.
• Responsible for delivery of key people related activities, for example: maternity and paternity process end to end; manage restructures, redundancy and other consultations. Manage complex cases to tribunal or settlement agreement, including liaising with external advisors as appropriate.
• Responsible for people aspects of on/off boarding, working closely with team heads/other operations teams/hiring managers to ensure a good employee experience, risks mitigated and all compliance obligations are met.
• Training: work with the firm’s training lead to develop/deliver the firm’s training strategy, including training for partners and employees (e.g. new policies, legislation etc). Work closely with the firm’s Change Manager as required.
• Compliance and processes: ensure HR policies, processes and contracts remain compliant with current legislation making recommendations for change having regards to benefits/risks/cost etc. Prepare revised documentation and communicate changes to stakeholder groups.
• Employee well-being: in consultation with PMG/COO and other relevant stakeholders, develop and deliver the firm’s employee well-being response, supporting and coaching managers, helping them deal with issues.
• Reward and benefits strategy: provide recommendations and advice to PMG/COO with respect to the firm’s reward and benefits, undertaking benchmarking exercises from time to time.
• Communications: responsible for development, maintenance and delivery of comprehensive suite of HR contracts and other collateral relating to people matters. For example, writing relevant documents, contracts, templates, intranet articles, blogs etc working closely with relevant stakeholders.
• Employee engagement: develop a draft holistic employee engagement plan for review by PMG/COO, including for example, employee surveys etc. Once plans agreed lead delivery including interpreting results, writing reports, internal communication and making recommendations based on feedback.
• Employee Forum: work alongside the Employee Forum helping to drive engagement, well-being and their understanding of the firm’s people strategy and plans.
• HR team: manage the firm’s small HR team. Provide a sounding board for the HR team within ALM, a subsidiary of the firm.
• Industry bodies and groups: represent Allsop at relevant forums and meetings helping ensure Allsop is sighted on trends, future policy and regulatory changes etc.
• Procurement: complete the HR sections of tender documents.
• Projects: deliver other ad hoc people related projects.

MAIN CAPABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• HR generalist experienced in leading a team, with strong knowledge of employment law, technical HR skills and best practice. Keeps own CPD and knowledge up to date.
• Experience of providing counsel to leadership teams and advice and support to managers across the whole employee lifecycle.
• Experience of working in a regulated professional services organisation. Understanding of the reward structures of an LLP a real advantage.
• Strong communication skills with proven ability to advise senior stakeholders and staff at all levels in a persuasive and credible manner; developing a “trusted advisor” relationship.
• Acts as the ultimate culture carrier for the organisation.
• Strong problem-solving skills; comfortable analysing data as evidence to develop recommendations.
• Proactive and responsive with strong listening skills.
• Resilient and calm under pressure with strong organisation, prioritisation and delivery skills.
• Collaborative approach to working, open and approachable; exhibits sound judgment.
• Ability to integrate systems to underpin the employee life cycle.
• Experience of working in the property industry is desirable.

WHY WORK WITH US?

Our approach at Allsop can be summed up as extremely efficient and professional with a lively and open working environment. We recognise the importance of helping individuals develop and we ensure that they have the expert knowledge and skills to provide a first-class service to our clients. We know that our staff are our main asset and with a firm belief that people should enjoy what they do, we go to great lengths to look after them.

An owner managed business. We have around 250 staff operating in London, Leeds and Manchester. One of the UK’s most successful property consultancies. No 1 UK Property Auction House with dedicated commercial and residential teams. Friendly and fun place to work. Non bureaucratic. We are not a corporate style firm; we have a friendly culture, and we like to think we are all one big team. Our offices are completely open plan with our Senior, Managing and Equity Partners sitting within their teams to encourage open communication and collaborative working. This role will be based in our London West End office however it is expected that the Head of HR will work regularly from our other offices in The City and Regionally. Initially we would expect the Head of HR to be in the office 5 days per week so they can build relationships and get to know the business. Once more established in role greater flexibility would be available.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A key role in leading the firm’s HR function working closely with the firm’s partners, team heads and COO.
• Genuine scope through your membership of PMG and Operations Board to influence the culture, policies and employee experience as the most senior in-house HR expert.
• Opportunity to represent the firm in industry forums, building your own knowledge and peer network.
• Competitive base salary plus discretionary bonus. OTE £75k-100k.
• Annual leave: 23 days per annum plus bank holidays and office closure over Christmas (3-5 days with colleagues “on leave” but not having to take annual leave to enjoy these days off).
• A full range of benefits including BUPA private healthcare, pension scheme with 5% employer contributions, life insurance, season ticket loans, nursery scheme, cycle to work scheme, daily office fruit, plenty of social events and more.