A fantastic opportunity for an experienced HR professional to join a leading specialist law firm as their HR Manager in this newly created role. The successful applicant will be given scope to develop the existing HR Function and provide strategic and operational HR support and lead on various projects, change management and process improvements.
The main tasks will include:
People:
- Mange the firm’s recruitment for legal and support staff in line with the firms people strategy ensuring that all members of the relevant team are kept informed.
- Draft HR documentation to be in compliance with legislation and best practices.
- Review all current HR policies.
- Work with existing personnel to manage recruitment and termination processes for all joiners and leavers, including orientation presentations, probationary period reviews, regular check-ins and exit interviews.
- Ensure all items for payroll are documented and processed currently.
- Update starter materials including handbook.
- Advise on employee relations matters and participate in review, disciplinary and termination meetings with managers.
- Oversee handling of flexible working requests, leaves of absence, grievances and disciplinary matters to ensure appropriate procedures are followed, deadlines are met, and actions and outcomes are properly documented.
- Regularly review and update the firm’s policies including a stress and mental wellbeing at work policy, menopause policy, fertility policy and environmental policy
Compensation and benefits
- Review the firm’s remuneration package and offer guidance and recommendations on salaries and financial package
- Develop an understanding of health and welfare benefits and pensions, including private medical and dental, group life and income protection
- Ensure continued compliance with automatic pension enrolment procedures and accurate monitoring of opt-in, opt-out and contribution changes
- Communicate benefits information and coordinate annual open enrolment; monitor participation and costs of insurance products and prepare data for annual renewals.
- Ensure all salary, bonus and other remuneration data is fully approved, communicated to individuals, and transmitted to the payroll and pension providers and update staff records accordingly.
- With the Head of Finance identify an integrated payroll system which can be linked to Cascade, the firm’s HR system.
Training and development
- Assist with identifying and developing career pathways for all staff and co-ordinate training requests
- Develop a programme for annual vacation schemes and investigate apprenticeship programmes
- Run vacation schemes including supervisor briefings, briefing senior speakers, distribution of assessed tasks and introducing/speaking at presentations and events during the programme
- Develop good working relationships with contacts from universities, law societies, faculties, charities and livery companies
Compliance
- Collate and publish SRA diversity data
- Renew the firm’s practising certificates annually
- Ensure lawyers comply with SRA Code of Conduct in particular maintaining competence to carry out their roles
Essential experience
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, including the ability to communicate clearly with concisely effective tone
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels and manage expectations
- Ability to prioritise work under pressure and make objective, business-based decisions
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations respectfully
- Ability and knowledge to provide advice, within the responsibilities listed above, with an understanding of the commercial and financial drivers of a people business
Qualifications must include
University degree or equivalent experience required; HR qualification (eg CIPD) preferred.
At least five years' experience in a management-level Human Resources generalist role at a law firm.
Knowledge of employment law in England and Wales and an understanding of the law firm business model, law firm operations and best practices
This job description is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties to ensure the smooth running of the company.
Equal Opportunities
As a responsible business, it is important that we represent the diversity of our people, our clients and our communities. We believe that the firms that thrive are those with the most diverse team; that's why we work so hard to source the best talent from the broadest pool possible. As an equal opportunities employer we strive to accommodate anyone who may have specific needs. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the selection process, please talk to a member of the recruitment team so that any required adjustments can be made in advance.