People Operations Advisor (6 month contract) in Birmingham

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive.

For business professionals, our environment is highly collaborative with value being placed on diversity of ideas, skills and mindsets. It’s energetic, fast-moving and there’s always something new to get involved in. You will get exposure across geographies and the firm as a whole. The future is a place of opportunity.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a People Operations Advisor to join the International People Operations team normally based in Birmingham city centre. This is a hybrid role, with a current requirement of working 3 days on site in the Birmingham Office.

Eversheds Sutherland prides itself on being a great place to work. The Business Services team is a HR Shared Service which is at the very heart of the employee experience. You will work as part of a professional and energetic team that is at a pivotal point of change, introducing new technology to enhance our HR service delivery. You can expect to get involved right across the spectrum of HR activity to make a real difference to our business.

The purpose of the role will be to provide seamless advisory support to the People function covering all parts of the employee lifecycle. We constantly look for new and smarter ways of working so your thoughts and ideas will always be heard. You will be expected to work closely with the HRBP team and will need to have an excellent ability to manage relationships and expectations.

This is a 6 month fixed term contract role. The role of People Operations Advisor will include and not be limited to:

• Supporting our firm with our ‘one step further’ approach
• Advising colleagues on policies and various queries
• Working with the Employee Relations team on cases which include (but is not limited to) probation, capability, absence management, lifestyle requests cases and FTC dismissals
• Provide high-quality, technical advice, guidance, and professional support to all stakeholders
• Maintain high quality output of work whilst providing first line service excellence
• Strive to provide a seamless advisory service to the firm, ensuring all queries and processes are managed to completion whilst ensuring the stakeholder is updated at all times
• Take ownership of queries ensuring SLAs are met
• Provide support across all international offices
• Work on multiple tasks & projects
• Provide general administrative support as and when required

We are looking for:

• Strong technical ability in excel, word, PowerPoint and IT systems such as SAP
• The ability to advise line managers on a variety of HR queries with strong generalist HR experience
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to handle high-volume tasks to deadlines
• A creative problem solver, who finds ways to support team members and bring a positive focus to remove obstacles when possible
• Experience of working in a fast paced team, ideally globally and in a HR Service Centre environment
• Solid communication skills, with the ability to coach, empower and upskill line managers
• Process and system-focused, with a passion for efficiency and simplification
• Customer first mindset with a depth of thinking that anticipates and exceeds customer requirements
• Experience with ER queries / cases is essential
• Previous HR Advisor experience is essential
• Proficiency in German, Dutch or French is desirable but not essential

Key Competencies:

• Effective communication
• Confident
• Organised
• Proactive
• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to multitask
• Great communication skills
• Stakeholder Management
• Relationship Building

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We’re fair, transparent and equitable
• We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working
• We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure
• We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement
• We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.