About us
Legal 500 was founded by John Pritchard in 1987 as the original clients’ guide to law firms, the first of its kind. It is now a data-driven, AI-optimised research platform which benchmarks, informs and connects providers and users of legal services in over 100 countries worldwide.
Our research and data are trusted and relied upon by corporate clients globally as an essential part of the process, both of instructing law firms with new mandates, and when reviewing existing mandates or panels.
We exist to empower both buyers and sellers in the international legal marketplace to make better decisions and have improved outcomes for their organisations. This is achieved by leveraging a trusted, comprehensive research process with a unique, vast, proprietary and constantly updated set of client-supplied data, unrivalled in the market.
On the supply side of the legal market, every year Legal 500’s team of over 150 researchers, technologists, data analysts, journalists and content specialists collate and review 60,000+ data-submissions from law firms and conduct interviews with thousands of leading law firm partners. On the demand side, Legal 500 analyses confidential data from 300,000+ commercial law firm clients to benchmark law firms and lawyers by practice area; industry; jurisdiction; as well as by proprietary client satisfaction metrics, NPS, and other qualitative and quantitative criteria.
Legal 500 is the only source of this depth of global research and data on law firms, lawyers and their clients.
Job Purpose
We’re hiring a People Operations Manager to help professionalise and elevate our HR function.
This role is the go-to expert for operational HR matters - bringing clarity, consistency, and care to everything from employee relations to process design. This position exists to help build the infrastructure and day-to-day rhythms that enable a high-quality employee experience while keeping us compliant, efficient, and scalable, particularly within a unionised context.
Combining strategic understanding with hands-on delivery, this role leads on policy and process development, acts as a key partner to the business on ER matters, and supports the implementation of effective tooling across the employee lifecycle.
Job Responsibilities
Lead the review, development, and implementation of HR processes across the employee lifecycle (e.g. onboarding, performance, leavers, change processes)
Own the creation and maintenance of compliant, user-friendly HR policies, manager guides, and documentation
Scope and implement a fit-for-purpose HRIS to drive automation, accuracy, and data integrity
Support the rollout of new tooling and HR operational initiatives that improve efficiency and employee experience
Own key processes including payroll, benefits management, pay and performance reviews, vendor relationships etc.
Act as the first point of contact for advanced or sensitive employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, absence and performance
Build trusted relationships with union reps and manage formal processes in line with collective agreements and best practice
Act as the senior operational lead and escalation point for all People Ops matters—ensuring day-to-day delivery is consistent, compliant, and high quality.
Contribute to strategic people initiatives (e.g. policy overhaul, culture programmes, change plans), translating ideas into practical delivery plans.
Ensure core operations run smoothly and predictably, with clear ownership, cadence, and expectations across key activities.
What we're looking for
Extensive HR generalist experience, ideally working in a startup, SME and/or scaling organisation
Practical experience working in a unionised environment, with a good understanding of collective consultation and representation
Demonstrated experience leading or heavily contributing to HR process improvement, documentation, and HRIS implementation
Strong, confident experience handling complex employee relations issues end-to-end
A self-starter mindset, comfortable taking ownership and making improvements in a relatively unstructured environment
High attention to detail, ensuring documentation, data, and processes are accurate, clear, and reliable
Organisation and dependablilty
Pragmatism and a focus on the solution with the ability to balance legal compliance with practical business needs
A collaborative mindset, showing you can work effectively with the wider team, business leaders, and other departments to get things done
Other information
3 days per week in our office, 2 days remote
Office is based on Fleet Street, Central London
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