The Firm
Reed Smith is a global law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 30 offices throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.
UK Job Description
Operating as one global partnership, we represent leading international businesses from FTSE 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises; advising clients on cross‑border transactions, international commercial disputes and regulation. We specialise in industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, energy and natural resources, entertainment and media, shipping and real estate.
We all share a common culture, with core values supporting the firm’s commitment to add value, achieve excellence, and promote professional development. London is our largest office with approximately 700 people, including over 350 fee earners across the full range of commercial practice areas. Consistent with the firm’s strategy, the office has grown significantly over the past five years. Key to this growth has been our ability to successfully integrate new hires into our business and give them a platform to flourish. We place a huge significance on listening to our people and incorporating their ideas wherever possible.
Role
We are seeking a Fixed Term Contract HR Manager to cover a period of maternity leave. This role will be part of our HR Advisory team supporting fee‑earning client groups across London (predominantly) and our EME offices. The HR Advisory team is part of a wider EMEA HR Team including Recruitment, HR Admin, Compensation and Benefits and HR Systems.
Responsibilities
* Provide pragmatic and commercial HR guidance to Partners and managers, including people partners and practice/industry group leaders on all people matters.
* Build strong relationships across legal client groups understanding business needs and delivering tailored HR solutions.
* Coach managers on performance related matters.
* Lead on ER matters including performance, capability, absence, and formal investigations providing expert guidance on complex matters ensuring compliance with employment law and SRA regulations, whilst providing commercial solutions.
* Where required, lead HR aspects of firm change, including restructures and talent management initiatives.
* Advise and manage international secondments/office transfers, including preparation of paperwork, consideration of visa/work permit requirements, tax implications and general compliance with local labour laws.
* Work collaboratively with Business Services teams (including Risk, Compliance, IT, Payroll, Tax etc) where appropriate in relation to business processes.
* Oversee the annual performance review processes - supporting partners/managers with talent discussions.
* Identify associate development needs and work with L&D to deliver relevant training for fee‑earners and support teams.
* Manage the annual compensation review process for fee‑earner client groups, working with teams on their proposals and aligning with firmwide principles.
* In conjunction with the HR Advisor, oversee the onboarding of new joiners, and offboarding of leavers.
* In conjunction with the HR Advisor, manage the full employee lifecycle ensuring high quality day‑to‑day operational service.
* Maintain and update HR policies to reflect employment law, SRA requirements, and best practice.
* Challenge existing HR processes and ways of working to drive efficiency across all day‑to‑day activities.
* Lead and contribute to HR projects such as systems implementation and process improvements, as necessary.
* Line manage and support the development of the HR Advisor.
* Join Partner and Associate meetings, occasionally leading on topics and delivering training / supporting presentations.
Experience
* Proven experience working at the HR Manager level, in a legal environment and ideally supporting fee earners, or able to demonstrate knowledge of fee‑earner client groups.
* Experience of building credibility and working effectively with senior internal stakeholders.
* Solid understanding of UK employment law across the employee lifecycle.
* Experience of working with client groups across EME (specifically UAE and KSA) would be desirable.
* Strong client service skills and resilient when dealing with demanding clients.
* Team player with a collaborative and supportive working style.
* Flexible and adaptable with a willingness to take on additional responsibilities as required.
* Organised and able to juggle multiple priorities and projects effectively.
* Detail conscious.
* CIPD qualified preferred.
Other Information
At Reed Smith, we welcome direct applications either in response to one of our advertised vacancies or on a speculative basis. Please click on the “Apply Now” button to submit your details and we will be in touch.
No search firms/agencies please.
Reed Smith's success depends heavily on the effective utilisation of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran's status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.
We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long‑term health conditions. If you have a disability or a long‑term health condition and require adjustments to be made for you within the recruitment process, please contact a member of the Recruitment team. For more information on our approach to diversity and inclusion please visit our website.
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