Senior HR Business Partner - ACT, P&R and Tax (London)

The purpose of this role is to develop and lead the people strategy for the aligned practice group and associated business services teams within London. The senior HR Business Partner (SHRBP) will provide the full range of HR generalist support from both a strategic and operational perspective.

The SHRBP will work closely with partners and people managers, acting as a trusted advisor to ensure that the people agenda is reflected in all business decisions. They will also work closely with colleagues in the wider HR team.

The SHRBP will provide coaching and mentoring to the HRBP, for whom they have line management responsibility, and the HR advisor ensuring consistently high standards of HR service delivery for their stakeholders.

Location Overview: London

Our London office is at the heart of our global network, in one of the most exciting world cities. London is arguably the world’s greatest financial centre: all the world’s leading financial institutions have a significant presence here. It is home to the headquarters of more than 100 of Europe’s largest companies.

Our London team has a reputation that is second to none. They are the team the world’s leading businesses turn to for help with their most challenging problems. They work with colleagues around the world on complex, cross-border deals, and disputes. Whether you join as a lawyer, a recent graduate or in a business services role, London is a great place to work.

You will have the opportunity to work on challenging, engaging work that will give you the opportunity to make your mark and progress your career. We believe there is no better place to work.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

• HR strategy and solutions: Collaborate with the aligned client group stakeholders and understand the key business objectives in order to develop and deliver a comprehensive people strategy.
• Proactively monitor business performance and initiate discussions with client groups about the relevant recommended HR action when necessary.
• Actively participate in client group management meetings; advise, challenge and support the client group partners and leaders on HR matters.
• Develop and sustain strong business relationships within client groups to become a trusted advisor on all HR related issues.
• Actively champion the embedding of Workday across the employee lifecycle.

Business improvement:

• Collaborate with HR colleagues on developing and delivering on various local and global HR initiatives.
• Work with the HR generalist team, partners and line managers, to implement business improvement, HR policies and processes within client groups.
• Promote the HR operating model and encourage increased usage and efficient, effective ways of working.
• Challenge partners and leaders within client groups on the culture, values and working practices within their teams and lead any change processes that are required as a result.

Talent management and development:

• Drive the identification and development of key talent within client groups to enable individuals to meet their potential and the departments to meet their business objectives.
• Lead and support designated client group partners and leaders with talent management and succession planning.
• Work with the talent COE, in the design, co-ordination and facilitation of development activities as needed within client groups.

Engagement and communication:

• Work with the partners and line managers to support communication, initiatives and processes to improve employee engagement relating to employee feedback.
• Develop positive and effective working relationships with HR operations and HR centres of expertise (such as talent, reward, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing) to deliver a seamless HR service to the business.

Performance and reward:

• Lead the overall management of the appraisal and remuneration processes for client groups.
• Coach partners and line managers to increase performance management capability.
• Drive the development of a culture of continuous feedback and recognition within client groups.

Employee relations:

• Act as an escalation point to manage complex and contentious performance, grievance and disciplinary issues in collaboration with employee relations.
• Keep fully up to date with all developments in terms of employment legislation and employee relations issues and utilise this technical knowledge to provide advice and guidance to partners and line managers.

HR transactions:

• Oversee the delivery of HR lifecycle transactions including onboarding, movers, leavers, maternity and other leave, flexible working requests etc.

Key requirements

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of working in a generalist HR role working at a strategic and senior level.
• Good understanding of how HR positively impacts the success of the firm.
• Able to efficiently resolve operational matters whilst also progressing the longer term people strategy.
• Experience of delivering change with complex stakeholders and a consensus culture.
• A strong relationship builder and influencer.
• High degree of personal resilience and ability to overcome resistance to change.
• Proficient English language skills – written and verbal communication.
• Proficient IT skills including experience of HR databases, Excel.

Desirable:

• CIPD qualification or equivalent.
• Good project management skills.
• Workday experience.
• Experience of working within a professional services organisation/Partnerships.

Competencies:

• Able to delegate and deliver work through others.
• Ability to coach individual team members and create a high performing team.
• Will actively manage personal learning and development and that of others.
• Excellent leadership skills and the ability to inspire confidence, particularly in an environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
• The ability to build strong working relationships and to be able to persuade and influence a range of people at all levels and across cultural and global boundaries.
• Excellent resource allocation and planning ability.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to listen, clarify and share information easily.
• A diplomatic and adaptable working style, works collaboratively with colleagues and demonstrates an empathetic approach when dealing with others.
• Dedicated to meeting and exceeding customer expectations with a commitment to the highest level of integrity.
• Resilient and able to remain calm and positive under pressure and when dealing with ambiguity.
• Is delivery focused and drives forward quality of service.
• Decisive and mature in judgement and able to resolve complex problems taking a proactive approach to analyse the issues and generate solutions.

Freshfields Overview:

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it most matters, wherever in the world that may be. The Firm has over 2,400 lawyers in 28 offices around the world, providing a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments.

Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams.

Freshfields is committed to promoting equality and diversity and to developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds make important and positive contributions to our business and how we service our clients.