HR Business Partner

HR Business Partner

Full-Time 51648 - 63126 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support HR initiatives and build relationships to enhance employee experience.
  • Company: Join Pinsent Masons, a leading international law firm with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, bonus schemes, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on people and business while developing your HR career.
  • Qualifications: Extensive HR experience and strong communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 51648 - 63126 £ per year.

Our standard working hours are 35 hours a week, Monday to Friday. We operate a 3 days in the office, 2 days from home working model. As an inclusive employer, we are willing to consider flexible working requests.

Exceptional by design. A career where you can make a meaningful impact on our people and business.

The opportunity:

Join a team where your expertise truly matters. Pinsent Masons is looking for an HR Business Partner (known internally as Group HR Business Partner) to join our HR and Learning team to support our Finance and Projects Practice Group. Working closely with the Senior HR Business Partner, you’ll provide proactive and commercially focused HR support across the Practice Group and wider business. You’ll act as a trusted adviser to partners, line managers and senior stakeholders, building influential relationships and developing a strong understanding of the teams you support.

This is a broad, hands-on role covering the full employee lifecycle. You’ll balance strategic business partnering with operational delivery, including employee relations, talent and performance management, recruitment support, reporting, administration and HR data analysis. This role can be based out of any of our UK offices, excluding London, though semi-regular travel to London will be required.

At Pinsent Masons, your career is exceptional by design - intentionally shaped to support high performance, meaningful development and long-term progression.

What you’ll do:

  • Build trusted relationships with partners, line managers and senior stakeholders, providing credible HR advice, constructive challenge and practical support.
  • Work with the Senior HR Business Partner to understand business priorities and deliver people plans, talent initiatives, career mapping and promotion processes.
  • Support performance review and moderation activity, coach managers and oversee performance improvement plans to encourage excellence and consistency.
  • Manage employee relations matters, including sickness absence, flexible working, grievances, disciplinary processes and other complex or sensitive cases.
  • Partner with specialist teams to support recruitment, new starters, probation reviews, reward activity, learning and development, trainees and newly qualified lawyers.
  • Produce reports, interpret HR data, conduct exit interviews and take ownership of the administration and operational activity required to deliver a responsive HR service.

What you’ll bring:

  • Extensive generalist HR experience, with strong employee relations knowledge and experience managing cases through to resolution.
  • Proven business partnering experience within professional services or a similarly complex, matrix organisation.
  • Experience advising and influencing partners, line managers and senior stakeholders on HR policies, procedures and people matters.
  • Strong technical HR knowledge, including a good understanding of employment legislation and current best practice.
  • Excellent communication, relationship-building, organisation and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and commercially aware approach.
  • Strong IT and analytical skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel, alongside a willingness to undertake detailed administration, reporting and ad hoc data work.

Why Pinsent Masons:

Our “exceptional by design” approach means we’ve deliberately shaped a firm where you can do your best work. We combine meaningful work, clear expectations and the support to build a career that works for you.

Why join us?

  • Meaningful work, real impact – the opportunity to contribute to initiatives and projects that have a genuine impact on our clients and the success of a leading international law firm.
  • A firm that backs your growth – clear expectations, structured development and real investment in helping you reach your potential.
  • A progressive culture – collaborative, inclusive and forward-looking, with the space to innovate and do your best work.

Our benefits package reflects our determination to support our people in achieving their full potential. You know what’s important to you and that’s why we offer flexible benefits where we can, allowing you to choose what matters most. Amongst our benefits are:

  • 25 days holiday
  • Bonus Scheme
  • Pension Scheme
  • Electric car scheme
  • Enhanced Family Leave policies
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Health, lifestyle and wellbeing benefits

What happens next?

Once your application has been submitted and reviewed, our Talent Acquisition team will share the outcome with you by email. We will hold two interview stages, including scenario-based assessment, providing the opportunity to meet different members of the hiring team at each stage. The first stage is typically conducted virtually and the second stage typically in person at the office in which the role would be based. However, we strive to remain flexible depending on the requirements of the role or the candidate.

Our commitment:

At Pinsent Masons, we are committed to recruiting and retaining the best talent and building an inclusive and fair workplace. We value the strength that comes from different experiences and strive to create an environment where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are dedicated to ensuring equitable opportunities throughout our recruitment processes. In line with local laws and cultural contexts across the jurisdictions in which we operate, we encourage people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences to apply. If you need reasonable adjustments or accommodations to participate in our recruitment process or to perform the role, please tell us, we will work with you to identify a suitable approach.

HR Business Partner employer: Pinsent Masons

Pinsent Masons is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or Glasgow, where you can shape the future of technology and digital transformation. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide clear progression opportunities, access to high-profile clients, and a collaborative culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join our market-leading TMT team and be part of innovative projects that drive meaningful change across various sectors.

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Contact Details:

Pinsent Masons Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner

✨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 Pinsent Masons!

✨Leverage Your University Connections

If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.

✨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 Pinsent Masons.

We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner

Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Adaptability
Performance Management
Organizational Skills

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 Pinsent Masons. 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 Pinsent Masons 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 Pinsent Masons. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.

Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Pinsent Masons'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 Pinsent Masons

✨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 Pinsent Masons.

✨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 Pinsent Masons 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 Pinsent Masons and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.