HR Advisor

About Withers: A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration. For the past 130 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives. We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm.

We are seeking a bright, ambitious and capable HR Advisor to provide generalist HR advice and support to our legal divisions and business services teams. The role will also contribute to key HR processes in the UK and, where relevant, globally, offering an excellent opportunity for someone with HR Advisor-level experience.

This varied role provides important support within a business partner model, working with one of our legal divisions, business services teams and the wider generalist HR team. It is a business-facing position requiring regular stakeholder engagement and the ability to build strong relationships across the firm.

Areas of focus and responsibilities:

• Work with the HR Managers to provide day-to-day HR advice and guidance to legal and business services teams.
• Respond to ad hoc HR matters, providing advice and mediation support on employee relations issues as needed.
• Support HR Managers and their client groups in designing and delivering effective HR solutions.
• Play a key role in annual HR processes, including coordinating and preparing materials for appraisals, promotions, salary review and bonuses, and attending meetings with HR Managers, Partners and Regional Divisional Leaders.
• Support talent management and succession planning by producing, maintaining and collating relevant information with the HR Managers.
• Act as the main HR contact for the British Virgin Islands (BVI) office.
• Review regular HR correspondence drafted by the HR Assistant to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Draft more complex correspondence, including bespoke contracts, flexible working arrangements, and disciplinary, grievance and performance management documentation.
• Review and analyse management information, including the monthly staff report, and flag key issues to the HR Managers.
• Act as the point of contact for employees taking parental leave, conducting relevant meetings and ensuring the required paperwork is provided.
• Manage the employee flexible working application process.
• Proactively manage absence by monitoring absence levels, supporting long- and short-term sickness cases, arranging occupational health referrals and liaising with the Reward team on PHI claims.
• Manage the end-of-probation review process, including attending meetings, addressing issues, making recommendations and ensuring paperwork is completed.
• Conduct exit interviews.
• Support an HR Manager with the firm’s immigration process, ensuring compliance with Home Office requirements and reporting obligations.
• Support ad hoc projects, including policy drafting, research, and system or process updates.

Skills and attributes:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence others and build confidence and trust.
• Collaborative team player with a flexible approach.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work with urgency.
• Methodical and organised approach to work.
• Commercially minded.

Qualifications required:

• CIPD qualified, with previous HR Advisor-level experience in a professional services environment.
• Highly PC literate, with strong systems skills.

The essentials: Usual working hours are 9.30am to 5.30pm, with flexibility required. Hybrid working. 12-week probation period. 8-week notice period. Flexible benefits package including pension, private medical insurance, Denplan, season ticket loan, subsidised gym membership, lifestyle discounts, holiday buy and sell, flu jabs, doctor consultation service, cycle to work scheme, on-site café and more.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement: It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion. Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race including colour, nationality and ethnic and national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.