Head of HR (12 month FTC)

The role

As Head of HR you will play a crucial role in leading and managing the HR function. Taking responsibility for developing and implementing HR strategies and initiatives to support the firm's goals and objectives.  You will work closely with the firm's leadership team providing guidance and support on all HR related matters.

Our HR team work closely with the business in order to attract, retain and develop the very best legal and business services talent, while ensuring compliance with relevant employment law and regulation.

The HRD team is a close-knit team of 13. You will manage a team of eight, with five direct reports, including the Support Services Manager. The role offers real ownership and the opportunity to work at a strategic level. We are looking for someone who can lead the team to challenge and encourage change and excellence in existing working practices and behaviours.

Role responsibility

HR Strategy and planning

• Developing and executing HR strategies aligned with the firm's overall business objectives.
• Building strong relationships with and collaborating with the firm's Partners and senior management to identify HR priorities.
• Conducting regular assessments of HR policies to ensure their effectiveness and compliance.

Talent acquisition and management

• Supporting and supervising the Senior Recruitment Manager in managing the firm's recruitment strategy and delivery.
• Implementing performance development policies and procedures to promote employee development and growth.
• Managing the annual talent review process.
• Developing and implementing retention strategies to encourage increased employee engagement.
• Developing and implementing succession strategies and working closely with senior leaders to deliver.

Compensation & benefits

• Overseeing the annual salary review and bonus process, ensuring consistency and fairness, managing the overall pay review and bonus budget.
• Supervising and supporting the Senior HR Analyst in salary benchmarking activity.
• Supervising and working closely with the Senior HR Analyst to ensure the firm's salary and benefits package is competitive.

Other responsibilities 

• Leading on Partner HR issues including Partner ER.
• Providing guidance and support to the HR Business Partners in managing employee relations issues, including investigations and conflict resolution.
• Management and oversight of the HR budget.
• Management and development of the HR team, taking a coaching and mentoring approach.
• HR reporting, including working with financial information to look at utilisation and issues around resourcing.
• Using experience, skills and knowledge of the HR industry to make an impact in key areas such as change management, organisational design, engagement and talent.

About you

You will be able to demonstrate;

• Proven progressive HR experience operating at a senior strategic level, preferably in a law firm or professional services / partnership environment. 
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent relationship and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong problem solving and decision making abilities.
• Strong knowledge of employment law.
• Experience of solving strategic people and organisational barriers to performance.
• Ability to facilitate change initiatives.
• Ability to coach people managers.
• Enthusiastic and proactive in approach.
• Enjoys and thrives working in a collaborative team, supporting others when required.

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

We are a London based, full-service law firm, specialising in providing straightforward advice to entrepreneurial businesses and individuals on domestic and international matters.

We have grown substantially in recent years, including two mergers and an office move. We’ve also matured in terms of our approach to providing advice to our clients, seeking to simplify and improve the experience of working with a modern, independent law firm.

We’re proud of our journey. Without losing sight of where we’ve come from, we are focused on where we’re going. We are evolving and growing every day. And just like our clients, we are ambitious and moving forward. Many of our clients are entrepreneurial, ambitious enterprises who are often privately or family owned, or private equity backed. We are one of the only London based law firms with a large private wealth offering alongside significant business law capability.

The firm also advises major corporates on particular specialist legal matters who find our straightforward approach a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.