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- Tasks: Join our HR team to provide top-notch support and advice on employee relations and HR policies.
- Company: Kennedys is a global law firm known for its innovative approach and expertise in dispute resolution.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive culture, opportunities for development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values diversity, inclusion, and professional growth.
- Qualifications: Previous HR experience, strong communication skills, and knowledge of UK employment law are essential.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and offer flexible working options to support your lifestyle.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Kennedys is looking for a HR Advisor to join our supportive and forward-thinking HR team in our Manchester office.
As part of our HR Business Partnering team, you will provide an excellent standard of service to your allocated business divisions and play a key strategic role in supporting your stakeholders to achieve their commercial goals. You will have strong HR experience, ideally gained within a partnership environment, with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. You will also be well versed with key HR processes (including reward, performance and appraisals), with demonstrable experience of handling employee relations matters.
You will also support on wider HR initiatives and projects, including an ongoing HR transformation project to improve the way we work as a global HR team.
Team
Kennedys HR team support the firm around the world with all people related matters.
The HR team is based in Chelmsford, London and Manchester for the UK, Dublin for EMEA, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia for APAC, Basking Ridge for US and London/LATAM for LATAM. The areas of HR that we have responsibility for are Business Partnering, Recruitment (including partners and early careers), Reward, HR Systems and Analytics, Learning and Development, Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity and Inclusion. The HR function is also responsible for the Secretarial function in the UK, Singapore and Thailand.
Key responsibilities
- Work closely with HR Business Partnering team to deliver high quality HR support to the firm
- Advise on and manage employee relations matters including disciplinaries, investigations, absence management, performance management, grievance and redundancies
- Provide support and advice on HR policies, procedures, and best practice
- Act as a point of contact for employee queries and escalate to HR Business Partner as required
- Support on projects within the team as well as wider HR initiatives when required.
Required experience
- Previous HR Advisor experience, preferably within a Business Partnering team
- Understanding of key HR processes, including reward, performance and appraisals
- Understanding of UK employment law with experience supporting or leading on Employee Relations issues, including but not limited to absence management, performance management, disciplinary and grievance.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to build credibility and relationships quickly
- Ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor
- Strong multi-tasking and time management skills
- Strong organisational skills with a focus on high quality delivery.
Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to be made in order to submit your application to Kennedys.
*where a level of experience is indicated, this is a guideline only and represents the amount of time we would usually expect a candidate to accumulate the requisite level of experience. This does not preclude applications from candidates with more or less experience.
About Kennedys
Kennedys is a global law firm with expertise in dispute resolution and advisory services. With over 2,750 people worldwide across 47 offices in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and America we have some of the most respected legal minds in their field.
Our lawyers handle both contentious and non-contentious matters, and provide a range of specialist legal services, for many industry sectors but we have particular expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, especially in defending insurance and liability claims.
We\’re a fresh-thinking firm, and we\’re not afraid to bring challenging new perspectives to the table way beyond the traditional realm of legal services. We empower our clients with a diverse range of ideas, tools and technology to make their lives easier, as well as delivering exceptional results, every time.
What do we have to offer?
We welcome high-performing lawyers, business services professionals, secretaries, graduates and apprentices to join our rapidly expanding global firm. Whatever your role at Kennedys, you\’ll be involved in exciting and stimulating work, where your input will make a difference.
Our culture and values form a big part of who we are and we take them seriously. We make a difference by being approachable, straightforward, supportive and distinctive. Our values are at the core of who we are and what make us a great firm to work with and for.
The Firm recognises the value of investing in our people\’s development and believes our culture and values contribute to the quality of our work and of our client relationships. With a culture of on-the-job and experiential learning, peer to peer learning, mentoring, resources and tools that enable you to drive your career, we can support your development in your current and future roles. A variety of other opportunities are available including secondments to clients and our global offices.
We strive to celebrate diversity, empower our people and ensure everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. We\’ve created a culture based on client service, professional excellence, hard work and trust, where diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) is a key priority. We recognise that many of our people want to work for an employer that is aligned to their values, which is why we are building an inclusive culture, decarbonising our operations and supporting our people to thrive at work. Our people are the key to driving this change and helping us to make a difference to our clients, our people and the communities in which we live and work.
Kennedys is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. We expect all employees to be aware of and comply with all relevant policies and procedures within their jurisdiction, including those relating to Information Security, Data Protection and Quality Management, refer any breach promptly to Risk & Compliance and to complete all mandatory training when requested.
Reach out to Ben Gilbey to find out more
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HR Advisor - Business Partnering employer: Kennedys Law LLP
Contact Detail:
Kennedys Law LLP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor - Business Partnering
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Kennedys' culture and values. Understanding their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate that you share their commitment to these principles.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Kennedys, especially those in HR roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company’s expectations and the nuances of the HR Business Partnering team, which can give you an edge in discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed employee relations issues in the past. Being able to discuss real-life scenarios where you've navigated complex situations will showcase your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on UK employment law and recent changes that may affect HR practices. Demonstrating your knowledge of current legislation during interviews will highlight your commitment to compliance and best practices in HR.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor - Business Partnering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your HR experience, particularly in Business Partnering. Emphasise your skills in employee relations, performance management, and your understanding of UK employment law.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, explain why you are passionate about the HR Advisor role at Kennedys. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to support stakeholders and manage employee relations effectively.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is key for this role, ensure your application reflects your strong oral and written communication skills. Use clear and concise language, and provide examples of how you've built relationships with stakeholders.
Highlight Relevant Projects: If you've worked on HR initiatives or transformation projects, be sure to mention these in your application. Discuss your role and the impact of these projects on the organisation, showcasing your ability to contribute to wider HR goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kennedys Law LLP
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the HR Advisor role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with key HR processes like performance management and employee relations, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is crucial for this position, prepare to demonstrate your ability to convey information clearly. Think of examples where you've successfully managed stakeholder relationships or resolved employee queries.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific HR situations, such as disciplinary actions or grievance procedures. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Research Kennedys' Culture and Values
Familiarise yourself with Kennedys' culture and values, especially their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their supportive environment.