Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer – Digital & AI HR Partnership role – Belfast
Key Responsibilities
* Act as a primary HR contact for the Digital practice group and AI team across the UK and EMEA, delivering business‑focused HR services.
* Business partnering and day‑to‑day operations: work closely with Digital & AI teams to understand how HR can support their people and operational priorities.
* Provide trusted HR advice on a wide range of generalist issues, taking into account operational impact, and allocate tasks to the People Operations Team.
* Support change‑management initiatives and, with the HR Manager, communicate organisational change to practice areas and teams.
* Deputise for the HR Manager when required, attending management meetings and handling ad‑hoc management requests.
* Support the Practice Manager and other business services teams such as Business Finance with ad‑hoc requests and projects.
* Employee Relations: act as first contact for Digital & AI teams, guiding employees and managers on resolving issues, policy improvements, and new policy implementations.
* Advise on performance management, conduct straightforward disciplinary and grievance processes, manage flexible working requests and monitor sickness absence including Occupational Health referrals.
* Manage maternity, shared parental leave and adoption processes; support People Operations in long‑term sickness and PHI claims.
* On‑boarding and off‑boarding: coordinate induction for new joiners, conduct exit interviews, oversee probation reviews, and manage client/in‑office secondments in collaboration with the International Mobility Team.
* Recruitment support: coordinate and deliver lateral recruitment processes, interview candidates, and manage the Belfast trainee recruitment cycle.
* Reward and performance: partner with the HR Manager to deliver moderation, performance review, talent sessions, salary reviews, and bonus processes.
* Learning & Development: work with L&D to arrange internal and external coaching, and generally act as first point of contact for all HR issues.
* Monthly payroll oversight and project management: ensure accurate payroll processes and lead small‑scale HR projects for the Digital & AI team.
Qualifications, skills and experience
* Sound understanding of current employment legislation for Northern Ireland and England & Wales.
* Minimum of three years’ HR generalist and business‑partnering experience at adviser level, preferably in professional services.
* Track record of building strong client relationships with technical HR knowledge and excellent interpersonal skills.
* Project and stakeholder management skills – confident in advising, influencing and negotiating with a wide range of stakeholders.
* Strong influencing and negotiating skills, with a thorough understanding of employee relations legislation and performance management processes.
* Experience in case management involving performance, grievances, disciplinary matters and health & well‑being.
* Experience in lateral and retained recruitment at all levels.
* PC literate (Microsoft Office suite).
* Innovative mindset, curiosity about AI and emerging technologies.
Competencies
* Personal Leadership– positively impacts colleagues, develops personally and professionally, builds authentic relationships, treats people with respect and fairness, and collaborates across the firm.
* Client Experience– creates opportunities to enhance the client experience and behaves consistently with firm values.
* Results Orientation– maintains focus and drive to achieve quality outcomes, anticipates responses, and seeks effective solutions while maintaining optimism.
Additional Information
* Team: People
* Working pattern: Full time
* Location: Belfast
* Contract type: Permanent contract
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 25June2026 at 12:00pm.
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