At a Glance
- Tasks: Support legal teams with HR advice, employee relations, and talent management.
- Company: Dynamic professional services firm with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: 28 days leave, bonus scheme, private healthcare, and gym membership contribution.
- Other info: Opportunity for travel and involvement in innovative HR projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people strategies while growing your HR career.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR roles and strong interpersonal skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and confident HR Business Partner to be based in one of our East Region offices (Cambridge, Northampton, London, Norwich) where you will have a regular presence. This is an autonomous role, supporting a number of legal teams across the firm which will be suited to an individual with HR Manager or junior HRBP experience who is comfortable working independently and building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders. Working as part of a small, collaborative team of HR Business Partners and reporting into the Head of HR, this role offers the opportunity to be involved in the full employment lifecycle, from talent management and strategic workforce planning to day‑to‑day advisory and employee relations. You will play a key role in supporting the firm’s continued growth while ensuring a consistent, commercial and people‑focused approach.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic HR Partnership: Build strong, credible relationships with Partners, Heads of Team and managers across the East Region, acting as a trusted advisor on people matters. Provide commercially‑aware HR advice aligned to business objectives and the firm’s people strategy. Contribute to and support strategic people initiatives, enabling effective decision‑making at senior level.
- Employee Relations & Advisory: Lead and manage a wide range of employee relations matters, including performance management, capability, absence, disciplinary and grievance processes. Provide clear, pragmatic and legally sound advice on UK employment law and best practice. Coach and support managers to build confidence and capability in managing people issues effectively.
- Talent & Performance Management: Support talent identification, succession planning and career development across supported legal teams. Partner with managers on appraisal cycles, promotion processes and performance calibration. Contribute to retention strategies and engagement initiatives within the region. Work closely with Recruitment to support workforce planning, hiring decisions and senior hires.
- HR Projects & Continuous Improvement: Support firm‑wide HR initiatives and projects, contributing ideas, insight and practical delivery. Ensure HR policies and processes are applied consistently, while allowing for regional and team nuances. Identify opportunities to improve ways of working and enhance the employee experience.
About You
Person Specification: Proven experience in an HR Manager, Senior Advisor or junior HR Business Partner role, ideally within a professional services or similarly commercial environment. Strong, hands‑on experience managing the full employment lifecycle. Experience of working with senior stakeholders and supporting matrix or geographically dispersed teams. Demonstrable ability to work independently and manage a regional remit.
Skills & Attributes: Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively. Able to use data to support business decisions and confident in the changing role of technology to support the development of HR in supporting the business. Commercially minded, pragmatic and solutions‑focused. Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands. Comfortable working remotely from the wider HR team while remaining collaborative and connected. Willingness to travel regularly across both the allocated region, as well as other locations to support teams as needed.
Benefits of working with us as a HRBP include:
- 28 days annual leave (plus public holidays)
- Bonus scheme
- Life Assurance
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
- Private healthcare
- 1/3 gym membership contribution
- Electric vehicle scheme
- Happy People/Perks at Work benefits portal
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Flu vaccination
Human Resources Business Partner employer: HCR Law
As a Human Resources Business Partner with us, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment that values collaboration and professional growth. Our East Region offices, located in vibrant cities like Cambridge, Northampton, London, and Norwich, offer a unique opportunity to engage with senior stakeholders while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, private healthcare, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Join our team to make a meaningful impact on our people strategy and contribute to the firm's ongoing success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Human Resources Business Partner
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the HR field! Attend industry events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with employee relations and talent management. Use real examples to demonstrate how you've made an impact in previous roles.
✨Be Prepared for the Unexpected
Interviews can throw curveballs, so be ready for situational questions or role-playing scenarios. Think about how you would handle specific HR challenges, like managing a grievance or coaching a manager, and practice your responses.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Human Resources Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in managing the full employment lifecycle and working with senior stakeholders. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've built trusted relationships and provided strategic HR advice in previous positions.
Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills:In HR, strong interpersonal skills are key. Make sure to highlight instances where you've influenced decisions or coached managers effectively. We love seeing candidates who can communicate well and build rapport!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at HCR Law
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK employment law and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've handled employee relations matters in the past, as this role will require you to provide clear and pragmatic advice.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working closely with senior stakeholders, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to build trusted relationships. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with managers or partners in previous roles.
✨Show Your Commercial Mindset
This position is all about aligning HR strategies with business objectives. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to support decision-making and how you've contributed to talent management and performance initiatives in a commercial environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage competing demands. Think through some potential challenges you might encounter in this role and how you would approach them.
