At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Workday projects, enhance systems, and drive automation in a global law firm.
- Company: Join Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, a top global law firm with a rich history.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic, fast-paced environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising technology that supports people and processes.
- Qualifications: 3+ years of Workday experience and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
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.
At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas. We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world. All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.
The Opportunity
- Act as a senior Workday subject matter expert within the global People Technology team, providing technical leadership across active Workday modules.
- Lead the design, configuration and delivery of complex system enhancements, optimisation initiatives and large-scale People Technology projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives, governance standards and best practices.
- Serve as the technical lead for Workday projects and enhancements, owning solution design, impact assessments, configuration approach and delivery outcomes.
- Lead testing activities for projects and system changes, including the development of test strategies, scenarios and scripts, whilst ensuring successful execution by business SMEs.
- Partner with senior People, IT and business stakeholders to understand strategic priorities and translate them into scalable technical solutions that drive automation, simplification and self-service.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships across People, Technology and the wider business, acting as a key advisor on People Technology solutions and capabilities.
- Contribute to the development and prioritisation of the People Technology roadmap, identifying opportunities to enhance processes, improve user experience and maximise value from the Workday platform.
- Act as the escalation point for complex issues, leading troubleshooting, root cause analysis and resolution activities across the People Technology estate.
- Partner with internal Technology teams to assess downstream impacts, manage dependencies and support successful delivery of system changes.
- Develop and maintain custom reports, calculated fields and dashboards to support operational and business needs.
- Provide oversight and guidance on Workday security, governance and data integrity controls.
- Develop and maintain training materials, knowledge articles and user guidance to strengthen Workday capability across the firm.
- Mentor and support People Technology team members, promoting best practices and helping to build technical capability across the team.
- Proactively seek opportunities to leverage new Workday functionality, industry best practices and Workday Community resources to improve platform effectiveness.
- Lead the evaluation of bi-annual Workday releases, assessing new functionality, coordinating regression testing and communicating relevant impacts and opportunities to stakeholders.
Qualifications, skills and experience
- Minimum of 3 years' experience supporting, configuring and optimising Workday.
- Strong practical expertise in Workday Core HCM and Recruitment and at least two additional Workday modules such as Compensation, Advanced Compensation, Talent & Performance, Peakon, Time Tracking, Benefits or Payroll.
- Demonstrable experience leading large-scale Workday optimisation projects and complex system enhancements from requirements gathering through to configuration, testing and deployment.
- Strong understanding of Workday reporting, calculated fields and dashboard development.
- Experience analysing business requirements and translating them into scalable, sustainable system solutions.
- Strong understanding of HR processes, data governance and the practical application of technology to improve operational effectiveness.
- Experience working with Workday security concepts and role-based access controls.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging and influencing senior business leaders and balancing competing priorities.
- Strong organisational skills, with experience operating incident and service management processes.
- Proven ability to mentor, coach and develop less experienced team members.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on identifying root causes and delivering sustainable solutions.
- Clear and confident communicator, capable of engaging effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences across global teams.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
- Ability to thrive in a global, fast-paced and often virtual working environment.
Team People
Working Pattern Full time
Location London
Contract type Fixed Term Contract
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.
Senior People Technology Specialist in London employer: Herbert Smith Freehills
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Belfast that fosters professional growth and development. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are encouraged to thrive while contributing to meaningful projects within a globally recognised law firm. The supportive culture, coupled with opportunities for involvement in early careers programmes and recruitment initiatives, makes this an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior People Technology Specialist in London
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Herbert Smith Freehills!
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✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Herbert Smith Freehills.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior People Technology Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Herbert Smith Freehills. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Herbert Smith Freehills and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Herbert Smith Freehills. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Herbert Smith Freehills's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Herbert Smith Freehills
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Herbert Smith Freehills.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Herbert Smith Freehills will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Herbert Smith Freehills and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
