HR Advisor

The role

We are looking for an HR Advisor to join us on a permanent basis.  You will play a key role in delivering proactive, end to end HR support, working closely with the HRBPs (HR Business Partners) in providing support across our fee earning and business services departments on the full spectrum of HR services.

This is a hands-on and varied role in a collaborative team of 10.  You will enjoy a varied workload ranging from handling day-to-day employee relations matters, to collaborating with the HRBPs on strategic HR initiatives and project work.

Role responsibility

Acting as a trusted advisor for managers and employees on a wide range of HR matters, including:

• Independently handling routine  ER issues, as well as supporting HRBPs on more complex ER matters (note taking, investigation and document support);
• Managing complex maternity and other family leave processes, before and after return, advice on policies, arranging coaching and re-integration plans, preparing associated paperwork, etc;
• Managing flexible working requests, discussing proposals with managers, and other changes to work patterns;
• Conducting exit interviews and analysis of exit interview data;
• Managing probation extensions and similar scheduled performance check-ins; supporting managers with capability conversations as required
• Managing sickness absence, including pay-related discussions, OH referrals, return to work meetings, phased return to work planning, etc;
• HR data analysis and reporting across key people metrics, including sickness absence trends, probation and performance review outcomes, tenure and attrition, identifying themes, risks and improvement opportunities and escalating insights to HRBPs;
• Managing contractual changes and associated paperwork;
• Proactive management of fixed term contracts, flagging end dates, discussing extensions and agreeing term;
• Contributing to the review, development and implementation of HR policies and best practice guidance;
• Supporting with the annual consultants review process, including drafting relevant letters;
• Actively engaging in firm-wide DEI, wellbeing and responsible business initiatives;
• Any other reasonable HR‑related duties as required.

About you

Ideally, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Proven relevant previous experience, ideally gained with legal/professional services;
• Strong listening and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide pragmatic, commercially aware HR advice;
• Excellent interpersonal, organisational and administrative skills; attention to detail is critical;
• An enthusiastic and proactive approach with the confidence to manage a varied HR caseload independently;
• The desire to work in a collaborative team, supporting others when required.

At Howard Kennedy we believe that everyone deserves the space to thrive. We’re committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience that reflects the diversity of both our people and our clients.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, and we’re committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and accessible to all.

We understand that every candidate’s needs are different If there’s anything we can do to make your application journey more comfortable— whether for interviews, assessments, or onboarding—please let us know. We’ll work with you to remove any barriers and ensure our recruitment process is comfortable for you. 

Contact our recruitment team at recruitment@howardkennedy.com to discuss any support you might need.

Agency Introductions

Please note that we are not accepting applications via agencies for this role at this time. Before sharing any named candidate CVs, please contact your recruitment representative. If any named CVs are sent from agencies without approval from our recruitment team, they will not be deemed valid introductions, and no agency fee will be paid.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual holiday
• Permanent Health Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Interest free Season Ticket Loan
• Private Healthcare
• Pension Scheme
• Staff Introductory Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

About us

With almost 200 lawyers in one location, we ensure our clients have the right team to help them get from where they are to where they want to be. We advise major corporates and institutions as well as entrepreneurial, ambitious enterprises which are often privately or family owned, or private equity backed. As well as our significant business law capability, we are one of only a few London-based law firms with a large private wealth offering. Our clients find our straightforward approach a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.

Whether you are an ambitious and talented individual wanting to hit the ground running from day one, or an established professional looking for a new opportunity, Howard Kennedy is the firm where you can really make it happen.

We have earned a strong reputation for our exceptional and uniquely talented people who between them deliver outstanding results for clients. In a firm of our size, our strong team dynamic creates a thriving culture of creativity and entrepreneurialism. Howard Kennedy is a pragmatic and non-hierarchical environment where success is shared, and you are proactively encouraged to thrive at your own pace.

Our distinctive culture is built on fairness and respect. Guided by the firm’s values of talk straight, think smart and be yourself, everyone in the firm holds equal value, and everyone plays their role in supporting, encouraging and inspiring colleagues to do their best work.

At the same time, we recognise and reward individualism, celebrating the diversity of our people and supporting them to grow their practice and drive their own career advancement.

As well as client work, there is opportunity to broaden your horizons at the firm with fulfilling pro bono and charity projects. We have a regular social calendar full of wellbeing activities, charitable and social events too.