Lead Senior HR Advisor

Lead Senior HR Advisor

Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead HR initiatives, support employee lifecycle, and mentor a dynamic HR team.
  • Company: Join a reputable firm committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on people strategies and enhance workplace culture.
  • Qualifications: CIPD qualified with experience in HR advisory roles, preferably in legal or professional services.
  • Other info: Flexible working environment with a focus on personal growth and high standards.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

The HR function is split across several key areas: Business Partnering, Talent and Culture which includes Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Reward & Benefits; Services & Policy; and Organisational Learning & Development, all working collaboratively together and with the wider business to deliver the people aligned Firm strategy. Providing a trusted, high-quality service and delivery in line with our Firm values is key to the professional reputation of the function.

Role Purpose

Reporting into the Lead HR Business Partner, this role will supervise the central team of HR Assistants and oversee the team of HR Advisors, providing advisory and administration support across the employee lifecycle, ensuring service excellence, operational efficiency and compliance with processes. This is a hybrid role, with responsibility as Senior HR Advisor for a designated client group(s), working closely with the HR Business Partners to deliver people priorities aligned to the Firm’s people agenda. As well as being a trusted advisor to key stakeholders, you will cover a range of HR activities including advisory and reporting. You will assist with many of the HR processes, such as talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, employer relations, talent management, diversity, equity and inclusion and wellbeing as well as ad hoc people projects.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Comply with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations, and Principles.
  • Deliver an effective, efficient and friendly HR support service to the business, implementing and ensuring delivery against SLA’s where required.
  • Support the team in delivery of the end-to-end employee lifecycle, driving efficiencies and improvements.
  • Effectively manage the HR Assistants and HR Advisors, providing guidance, coaching and mentoring.
  • Coordinate management of the HR Shared inbox’s and ensure timely execution of requests, managing efficient and effective workflow.
  • Ensure that Toolkits and processes are up to date and being used to drive improvements in administration.
  • Ad hoc production/ amendments of job descriptions.
  • Conduct job evaluation of new roles and liaise with Reward Centre of Excellence (CoE) for reward guidance.
  • Take responsibility for drafting strategic business cases for Intention to Hire forms for role approvals.
  • Work closely with the Talent Acquisition team, oversee the recruitment process, from job posting to onboarding, ensuring a seamless experience for new hires.
  • Participate in interviews and ensure compliance with hiring practices.
  • Be a trusted advisor to managers on employee relations issues and identify early interventions.
  • Lead on Employee Relations issues such as performance and sickness absence processes.
  • Coach the Advisors and Assistants to develop their knowledge, skills and experience, providing regular and in the moment developmental feedback.
  • Respond to queries and provide guidance and advice in line with our policies and procedures.
  • Lead on investigations and conflict resolution, ensuring fair and consistent outcomes.
  • Resolve employee queries and issues, ensuring fair and consistent resolution and improve management capability of people matters through coaching practices.
  • Stay updated on employment laws and regulations to ensure practices are compliant.
  • Keep all relevant teams, such as Payroll, HR Systems etc. updated with any employee changes within the employee life cycle.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of performance management processes, including appraisals, feedback, and development plans.
  • Address performance concerns and work with managers to identify improvement opportunities.
  • Utilise HR data to provide insights and analysis for managers.
  • Monitor HR metrics to inform decision-making and strategy development.
  • Assist the HR Business Partnering team to embed the Firm's people priorities.
  • Work with HR Business Partners and Reward CoE, to execute the year end compensation processes.
  • Conduct exit interviews, using exit themes to highlight key issues to HR Business Partners that will drive change to attract, retain and motivate talent.
  • Proactively lead and coordinate HR projects.
  • Develop, review, and update HR procedures and templates.

Skills and experience

  • CIPD qualified (or equivalent professional body or experience) is essential.
  • Proven track record in a Senior HR Advisor role, ideally within the legal sector or professional services.
  • Experience of supervising and mentoring others and a genuine interest in developing others.
  • Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.

Person Specification

  • Flexible and effective interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to interact and influence at all levels.
  • The ability to deal with a variety of potentially sensitive issues as and when they arise will also be required as well as a high level of confidentiality.
  • Confidence and ability to deal with situations where there is conflict.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure with excellent attention to detail.
  • Proficiency in HR software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Working together

  • Integrity and respect
  • Inclusive
  • Personal impact and growth
  • Driving high standards
  • Client‑centric
  • Responsible Business

Hybrid working

We adopt a hybrid and flexible working approach, dependent on the requirements of the role and subject to manager approval.

Lead Senior HR Advisor employer: Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

As a Lead Senior HR Advisor at our firm, you will thrive in a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises professional growth and employee wellbeing. With a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we offer comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring you can advance your career while contributing to meaningful HR initiatives. Our hybrid working model provides the flexibility to balance your professional and personal life, making us an exceptional employer in the legal sector.
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Contact Detail:

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Senior HR Advisor

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field, attend industry events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their people agenda. Remember, they want to see how you can contribute to their team!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence. Focus on articulating your experiences clearly and demonstrating your problem-solving skills in HR scenarios.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Senior HR Advisor

CIPD qualified
Senior HR Advisory experience
Supervisory skills
Mentoring and coaching
Employment law knowledge
HR best practices
Interpersonal skills
Communication skills
Conflict resolution
Attention to detail
HR software proficiency
Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
Project management
Data analysis
Stakeholder management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead Senior HR Advisor role. Highlight your experience in HR functions like talent acquisition, employee relations, and compliance to show us you’re the right fit.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about HR and how your values align with ours. Don’t forget to mention specific examples of your past achievements that relate to the job description.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves supervising a team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've mentored others or led projects, as we value strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence at all levels.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

✨Know Your HR Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of employment law and HR best practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific HR functions mentioned in the job description, like talent acquisition and employee relations. This will show that you're not just a generalist but someone who understands the nuances of the role.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since this role involves supervising HR Assistants and Advisors, be ready to discuss your experience in mentoring and developing others. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or handled conflicts, as this will demonstrate your capability to manage and inspire your future colleagues.

✨Be Client-Centric

The firm values a client-centric approach, so think about how you've delivered high-quality service in previous roles. Prepare to share specific instances where you’ve gone above and beyond for stakeholders or clients, highlighting your commitment to service excellence.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect to face scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about potential HR challenges you might encounter in this role, such as handling sensitive employee issues or managing multiple priorities. Practising your responses will help you articulate your thought process and problem-solving skills effectively.

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