HR Manager/Talent Management

Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that provides economic, financial, and business management expertise to major law firms, corporations and governments around the world. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its combination of industry experience and rigorous, fact-based analysis that provide clients with clear, implementable solutions to complex business concerns.

The Human Capital team comprises about 25 professionals committed to attracting, developing, and retaining excellent colleagues across the firm. Our culture embraces a growth mindset: inspiring excellence and bringing expertise and innovation to the role every day. The Global Talent Management and Development team is central to CRA’s success by creating an employee‑centred work experience. This position will be located in London, and will report to a Human Capital Director.

As a key member of our Global Talent Team, the Human Capital Manager plays a pivotal role as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, delivering proactive, high quality HR support across the full employee lifecycle. Blending hands‑on employee relations expertise with strategic talent and performance initiatives, this role helps drive a high‑performance culture in a fast‑paced professional services environment. The role requires comfort operating at both strategic and operational levels – shaping forward‑looking people initiatives while remaining closely involved in day‑to‑day execution.

Working closely with HR colleagues in European and US offices, the role spans employee relations, HR operations, performance management (including the annual review cycle), and forward‑looking talent initiatives. You would have a global remit alongside responsibility as the go‑to HR contact for our European offices. You must have excellent communications, attention to detail, analytical and problem‑resolution skills, and an ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization, as well as an employee‑centered mindset. As importantly, you must be able to navigate difficult and sensitive circumstances with tact, sensitivity, and excellent judgement.

Typical responsibilities of the Human Capital Manager include:

• Serve as a trusted, pragmatic, and commercially‑focused adviser to managers and leaders, building strong relationships across client groups to understand business needs and deliver tailored HR solutions;
• Lead complex employee relations matters globally, including performance, restructures and formal investigations, ensuring compliance with employment law regulations while delivering practical, commercial outcomes;
• Coach and support managers on performance related matters, including difficult conversations and decision making;
• Project manage the firm‑wide annual performance review cycle, supporting managers with talent discussions and outcomes;
• Oversee global HR transactional processes, including employee transitions, contractual changes and off‑boarding, ensuring a high‑quality, consistent employee experience;
• Partner with the HRIS team to develop, maintain, and enhance regular and ad hoc management reporting (e.g., attrition, exit insights, performance and advancement metrics, feedback tool usage);
• Apply a continuous‑improvement mindset to processes to enhance efficiency and operational effectiveness;
• In partnership with the L&D Manager, drive a strong feedback culture across the firm through effective communications, technology enablement, and coaching and training for managers;
• Maintain a strong external perspective on HR best practices through ongoing professional development, networking, and market awareness;
• Maintain and update HR policies to ensure alignment with employment law and best practice;
• Provide strong leadership and oversight of HR initiatives by effectively project‑managing multiple, often concurrent, priorities, guiding and developing the HR team, and driving steady progress against soft or evolving deadlines (designing and rolling out global manager training, for example).

Desired Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree, master's degree preferred;
• Minimum 5‑8 years relevant work experience in a professional services firm, employee relations and talent development experience expected;
• Advanced knowledge of Excel (v‑lookups, pivot tables) preferred; intermediate skills in Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word;
• Experience working with an HRIS (Workday) desirable;
• Demonstrated track record of productivity, able to advance tasks with diplomacy and tact, and a willingness to take ownership of work;
• Strong interpersonal communication that promotes relationship‑building across stakeholders;
• Strong problem‑solving skills, able to find creative solutions without getting flustered, and willing to dig for an answer;
• Exceptional attention to detail, focused ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks with tight turnarounds across multiple time zones;
• Good judgement, aware of confidentiality expectations, and discreet with sensitive information.

To Apply:

To be considered for this position, please submit:

• CV/Resume – please include current address, personal email and telephone number;
• Cover letter – please describe your interest in CRA and how this role matches your goals.

Career Growth and Benefits:

CRA’s robust skills development programs, including a commitment to offering training annually through formal and informal programs, encouraging you to thrive as an individual and team member. Training includes technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities. We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well‑being, and in‑house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

CRA offers a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility requirements, which may include: medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; life and disability insurance; paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays); paid parental leave; wellness programmes and employee assistance resources; and commuter benefits.

Work Location Flexibility:

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realise a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently ask that individuals spend 3 to 4 days a week on average working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team.

Our Commitment to Diversity:

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (Equality Act 2010). As part of our focus on equity and inclusion, we work to ensure a fair and consistent hiring process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.