HR Business Partner, Digital Legal Delivery (Digital) & AI

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

The primary focus of this role is to act as one of the key HR contacts for the Digital practice group & the AI team across the UK and EMEA, and to pro-actively deliver business-focused HR services to the teams.

• Business partnering and day to day operations: Work closely with Digital & AI teams to understand how HR can support their people and operational priorities. Act as a trusted adviser and sounding board, providing HR advice and expertise on a wide range of generalist issues. Allocate appropriate tasks to the People Operations Team, ensuring effective delivery of day-to-day HR operations. Support change management initiatives and communicate any organisational change to the practice areas/teams as appropriate. Deputise for the HR Manager as required.
• Employee Relations: Act as first point of contact for the Digital and AI teams, providing guidance and support to employees and managers. Proactively identify changes and improvements to employment policies and practices. Advise managers on managing poor performance and lead on straightforward ER issues such as disciplinaries and grievances. Manage all flexible working requests and monitor office sickness absence.
• Joiners and Leavers: Co-ordinate the on-boarding process and update the People Team and leadership/senior management team. Liaise with the Recruitment Team to oversee the effective implementation of the induction process for new joiners. Conduct exit interviews and communicate feedback to the business.
• Secondments: Manage client and intra-office secondments, working closely with the International Mobility Team. Promote secondment opportunities and manage the client secondment process.
• Recruitment: Assist the Recruitment Team with the co-ordination and delivery of lateral recruitment processes. Maintain resourcing plans for designated client groups and work with the Recruitment Team to provide cost-efficient recruitment solutions.
• Reward and performance: Assist the HR Manager to co-ordinate the delivery and communications of moderation, performance review & talent sessions, and salary review processes.
• Development: Attend meetings with Learning and Development Managers for Digital & AI when required. Arrange internal and external coaching for team members.
• General and Project Work: Serve as the first point of contact for all HR issues. Oversee monthly payroll activities and assist with small-scale HR projects for the Digital & AI team.

Qualifications, skills and experience: Sound understanding of current employment legislation. An extremely well organised and commercial HR generalist with a minimum of three years' HR generalist and business partnering experience. Track record of building strong relationships with internal clients. Strong influencing and negotiating skills. Proven track record of case management in relation to performance management, grievances and disciplinary matters. Experience of lateral and retained recruitment at all levels. PC literate (Microsoft Office suite). An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

Competencies: Personal Leadership, Builds Authentic Relationships, Collaborates with others, Enhances the Client Experience, Achieves Results.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding. At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours.

Closing date for applications is Friday 14 August at 12:00pm.