HR Projects & Operations Manager in England

The HR Operations & Projects Manager– UK is a key member of the London HR team, responsible for designing, leading, and delivering a range of HR projects and cyclical processes across the UK Legal Services business. The main objective is to coordinate, embed, and enhance people‑focused initiatives that underpin the delivery of the firm’s UK People Strategy—including performance, talent, reward, learning, development, and workforce planning.

This role reports to the Strategic Projects Lead & Senior HRBP, works closely with the broader UK HR team and Legal Services leadership, and partners across Centres of Excellence and HR teams to ensure UK projects are implemented effectively and to a high standard. The role requires high levels of project management, stakeholder engagement, and advisory skills to deliver outcomes that drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key responsibilities and deliverables:

• Lead and deliver a portfolio of HR projects and cyclical processes for the UK Legal Services business, ensuring timely and seamless execution aligned with business and people strategy priorities.
• Take ownership for coordinating, monitoring, and improving annual HR cycles—such as performance management, pay and bonus review, and talent management—ensuring consistency, compliance, and effective communication.
• Employ data to design & drive the implementation of UK‑wide people initiatives across the employee lifecycle, supporting business growth, employee engagement, and the retention and development of top talent.
• Work closely with HRBPs, Legal Services leadership, and HR Centres of Excellence to ensure projects and processes are business‑aligned, appropriately resourced, and responsive to emerging needs.
• Use data and analytics to monitor progress, evaluate project effectiveness, and proactively identify risks or areas for improvement, presenting findings as needed to HR and business stakeholders.
• Facilitate sharing of best practice across the UK HRBP team, ensuring project learnings and process enhancements are embedded across Legal Services.
• Provide expert support in managing employee relations issues, policy implementation, and compliance with employment legislation and firm values as needed.
• Participate in wider UK HR projects and change programmes, supporting the promotion of a high‑performance, inclusive, and collaborative working environment.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in COE and HR Ops to deliver a joined up, seamless People experience for our colleagues.

Key requirements:

• Substantial experience delivering HR projects and/or operating in a professional HR function within a complex organisation.
• Strong track record of managing cyclical processes and project plans to completion, preferably in a partnership, professional services, or law firm environment.
• Familiarity with HRBP or project delivery models and all core people processes (performance, reward, talent, employee relations, policy, data management).
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills—able to build quick credibility, effectively collaborate with stakeholders, and communicate complex information clearly.
• Advanced project management skills; strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple concurrent deliverables.
• Data‑driven mindset; proficient in HR systems (e.g., Workday) and comfortable producing management information reports for decision‑making.
• Discrete, resilient, solutions‑oriented, and able to maintain the highest standards of professional integrity.
• Relevant experience in a legal or professional services environment, but the firm will equally consider candidates from other industries providing they can demonstrate an understanding and aptitude for a partnership environment.

Influencing and Relationship Building: Effectively influences, builds, and maintains strong relationships at all levels, collaborating and sharing knowledge across the business, putting our colleagues at the centre of what we do.

Communication: Communicates clearly and empathetically, adapting verbal and written messages for diverse audiences.

Commercial and Data Acumen: Applies commercial understanding and strong analytical skills, using data‑driven insights to support decisions.

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Proactively identifies issues, analyses root causes, challenges constructively, and applies sound judgment to generate effective solutions.

Organisation and Time Management: Manages multiple priorities efficiently with meticulous attention to detail, strong planning, and task management skills.

Adaptability and Resilience: Maintains flexibility and remains calm, positive, and objective under pressure and through change or ambiguity.

Professionalism and Integrity: Upholds the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and objectivity in all interactions and decisions.

Self‑Development and Ownership: Takes responsibility for delivering results and personal development, seeking opportunities for continuous improvement.

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered on the basis of their merit alone. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account.