Apply here by 22 August 2021
Freshfields Overview
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a global law firm with a long-standing track record of successfully supporting the world’s leading national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments on ground-breaking and business-critical mandates.
Our people make our firm – we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all canflourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams.
We think and work globally – we don’t just say we areone firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where wehave offices. Cross-border work isn’t just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.
We aim to add value in everything we do – we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience an dcreativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals. Ineverything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.
Location Overview
Our London office is at the heart of our global network, in one of the most exciting world cities.
London is arguably the world’s greatest financial centre: all of the world’s leading financial institutions have a significant presence here. It’s home to the headquarters of more than 100 of Europe’s largest companies.
Our London team has a reputation that’s second tonone. They’re the team the world’s leading businesses turn to for help withtheir most challenging problems. They work with colleagues around the world on complex, cross-border deals and disputes.
Whether you join as a lawyer, a recent graduate or ina business services role, London is a great place to work.
You will have the opportunity to work on challenging, engaging work that will give you the opportunity to make your mark and progressyour career. We believe there is no better place to work.
Function Overview
HR creates value for the firm by attracting and developing the best talent, building a strong and collaborative culture of high achievement and delivering excellent HR processes. Operating within a respected HR team, your role will be to provide insights, advice and guidance on HR programmes, policies and practices and deliver first-class service to colleagues within the London office in line with the firm’s People Priorities.
Role Purpose
The purpose of this role is to provide the full range of HR Generalist support from an operational and strategic perspective to aligned groups. You will be working closely with partners and people managers, acting as a trusted advisor to ensure that the people agenda is reflected in all business decisions. You will also work closely with colleagues in the wider HR team.
All advice and support will require the firm’s core values and its commitment to diversity to be at its heart.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
HR management:
- Collaborate with the partners in aligned practice groups to understand the key business objectives in order to define, create and deliver HR solutions;
- Monitor business and people performance and make relevant recommendations;
- Develop and sustain strong business relationships by giving professional advice and becoming a trusted advisor;
- Provide expertise and advice on HR related issues.
Business improvement:
- Work with the HR generalist team, partners and line managers, to implement business improvement, HR policies and processes;
- Promote the HR Services model and encourage increased usage and efficient, effective ways of working.
Talent management and development:
- Support the identification and development of key talent within designated groups to enable individuals to meet their potential and the departments to meet their business objectives;
- Support the assessment of and collation of development requirements within designated groups;
- Work with the Learning and Development team, in the design, co-ordination and facilitation of off-site and team development activities where appropriate;
- Manage the secondment programme within the department and liaise with the Global mobility team to oversee all the relevant processes.
Engagement and communication:
- Support and facilitate the employee engagement survey process;
- Work with the Senior HR Manager (SHRM), partners and people managers to support communication and initiatives and processes to improve employee engagement;
- Participate in designated groups management meetings as the HR professional and expert;
- Facilitate effective communication and knowledge sharing between departments, the HR team and HR Services;
- Deliver HR related elements of the induction programme to support the new joiner experience.
Performance and reward:
- Advise and coach partners and line managers to build increased capability in good performance management;
- Provide support and advice in relation to the decisions, maintaining objectivity and fairness;
- Develop ways to support a continuous feedback, development and recognition culture within the designated groups;
- Manage the appraisal, salary and bonus review process across designated groups, communicating with and co-ordinate all relevant parties;
- As a key stakeholder, work with HR colleagues to ensure the accuracy of data and that appropriate plans are in place to ensure the successful and timely completion and the annual pay and bonus review process.
Employee relations:
- Keep fully up to date with all developments in terms of employment legislation and employee relations issues and utilise this technical knowledge to provide advice and guidance to people managers;
- Manage performance, grievance and disciplinary issues (including managed exits) within designated groups and support the SHRM in cases across designated groups;
- Manage long term sickness for the designated groups, liaising with Occupational Health and support services where relevant and provide general support to people managers as required.
HR transactions:
- Work with the SHRM and HR Services team to ensure smooth, accurate delivery of HR lifecycle transactions including on boarding, movers, leavers, maternity and other leave, flexible working requests etc.
Data and management reporting:
- Create and utilise management reports to enable informed and appropriate business decisions to be made;
- Use data to highlight potential areas of focus in support of the people agenda;
- Drive and support activities to ensure data integrity.
Key Requirements
- Significant generalist HR experience;
- CIPD qualification or equivalent;
- Strong knowledge and experience of Employee Relations;
- Current knowledge of employee legislation and best practice;
- Experience of working in change intensive environments;
- Good project management skills;
- Previous experience working within a business facing HR Manager role is essential;
- Ideally experience of working within a professional services organisation;
- Proficient IT skills including experience of HR databases, Excel and SAP;
- Proficient English language skills.
Competencies
- The ability to build strong working relationships and to be able to persuade and influence a range of people across levels, cultural and global boundaries.
- Excellent planning ability.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to listen, clarify and share information easily.
- A diplomatic and adaptable working style, works collaboratively with colleagues and demonstrates an empathetic approach when dealing with others.
- Dedicated to meeting and exceeding customer expectations with a commitment to the highest level of integrity.
- Resilient and able to remain calm and positive under pressure and when dealing with ambiguity.
- Is delivery focussed and drives forward quality of service.
- Decisive and mature in judgement and able to resolve complex problems taking a proactive approach to analyse the issues and generate solutions.
Benefits
Our reward package is designed to offer you a competitive salary, a comprehensive range of employee benefits and the potential to receive anadditional bonus each year, recognising the contribution you make to the firm.
You can choose from a variety of insurance policies, services andproducts to help you secure your financial future, protect your health andfitness, and make your life easier. You will receive 26 days’ holiday each year,with the option to purchase additional days, plus free access to market-leadinghealth and wellbeing websites and services.
As you would expect, we will support you through the major events in your life, so we offer competitive maternity, flexible working and leavepolicies.
Inclusion
Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applicationsreceived by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their meritalone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individualsregardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on thecandidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firmwith evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum andNationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing. Please note that, in linewith the requirements of the UK Border Agency, non-EEA candidates may not beappointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled EEAcandidate can fill the position.
Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. Ac onviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.
Apply here by 22 August 2021
