Human Resources Adviser

We are recruiting for an experienced HR Adviser to work within the HR Advisory team. The role is a permanent, full-time position and will report into one of the team’s HR Managers. Human Resources (‘HR’) is responsible for supporting and developing the firm’s people to help drive and shape the future success of the firm. The HR Adviser will be responsible for providing support to the HR Managers for Legal Groups and Business Services departments to ensure a comprehensive, proactive, and considered HR service to the firm. Our HR Advisory team offers a comprehensive range of HR support, partnering with Partners and Business Services leaders to develop and implement people strategies that drive organisational success. Working closely with the broader HR function—including Early Careers Development, Early Careers Recruitment, Recruitment, Diversity and Inclusion, HR Systems and MI, Global Mobility, and Reward and Benefit—this role ensures an integrated, proactive, and high-impact HR service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working alongside the HR Managers in providing comprehensive HR support for all aspects of the employee lifecycle.
• Building strong working relationships with partners, directors, managers and employees, as well as the wider HR team.
• Being a trusted advisor who provides high quality, proactive advice and guidance.
• Managing and assisting with employee relations cases, including but not limited to, probation, health and well-being, sickness absence, performance management, disciplinary, and grievances.
• Liaising closely with Occupational Health and the team’s Head of Employee Relations when necessary.
• Managing flexible working requests and changes to terms and conditions of employment.
• Managing the family leave process alongside the other HR Advisers, including processing any requests for family leave, proactively working with groups and departments to support employees on/returning from family leave, keeping abreast of updates and making suggestions for policy improvements.
• Managing and supporting with the running of the performance review processes for all populations.
• Carrying out exit interviews and completing relevant analysis and recommendations.
• Collating and analysing management information, e.g. headcount data, liaising closely with the HR systems team.
• Managing fixed-term contracts, and contractors, including extensions.
• Working with the HR Managers with internal moves, visas and international secondments, including the visiting lawyers and Referendare programmes.
• Overseeing the client secondment and visiting barrister processes.
• Managing and running the onboarding of the visiting lawyer population.
• Supporting on any requirements for HR Advisory audits.
• Supporting the development and ongoing review of HR policies and procedures.
• Supporting the annual salary and discretionary and/or performance related bonus reviews for all populations.
• Maintaining full and accurate HR records and keeping the HR system up to date.
• Working alongside the other HR Advisers to ensure consistency of approach.
• Working closely with the HR Managers and the wider HR team to support the implementation of HR projects and initiatives.

General

• Keeping abreast of industry trends and developments, through a strong network of external contacts both within and outside the legal sector and making recommendations for change within the firm where appropriate.
• Working closely with the wider HR team, providing support and guidance where required to provide a seamless service to the business.
• Any other duties that fall within the parameters of this role.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Experience working in a similar role within a professional services environment.
• Preferably CIPD qualified or part qualified.
• Client focused with the ability to adapt approach and service.
• Good working knowledge of employment law and best practice HR Management.
• Experience of using HR systems and producing management information.
• The ability to build strong business relationships with internal and external contacts and the resilience to deal with demanding individuals.
• Proactive, prepared to take a hands-on approach to managing their workload using their own initiative.
• Comfortable accepting instructions and guidance from different team members and managing several priorities at one time.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team but comfortable working on their own.
• A willingness to provide feedback, share information, contribute ideas and suggestions as necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written, spoken and presentational, including strong influencing skills.
• Ability to express views clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to multi-task, keep calm under pressure and work to tight deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Skilled in data analysis and HR systems, with the ability to interpret trends and suggest appropriate next steps.
• Experience of handling confidential matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Experience of working in a diverse team whilst fostering an inclusive team culture.
• High level of professionalism and integrity; displaying the highest standard of professional ethics.

We welcome applications irrespective of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, belief or marital status.