HR Assistant [Recruitment Team] Full time NEW

The role:

We have a new opportunity for a HR Assistant to join our Bristol HR team on a 12 month fixed term contract.

The role will sit within the Recruitment team, providing administrative assistance for the end to end recruitment process of qualified lawyers, paralegals and secretaries in our UK and Dublin offices.

The successful candidate will also be part of the HR Operations team, supporting key functions of the HR department, both in the UK and internationally.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and supportive team, working with market leading stakeholders in a fast paced, dynamic and innovative environment.  

What will you do:

• Supporting the end to end recruitment cycle, including ensuring timely and effective administration of the recruitment system (Workday).

• Co-ordinating candidate interviews for Associate, Paralegal and Secretarial roles and liaising with Hiring Managers, Recruitment and agencies as requested.

• Producing internal and external correspondence and documents related to the recruitment process, as required e.g. offer paperwork and new joiner packs.

• Managing the onboarding and offboarding process for contingent workers, ensuring accurate tracking and a smooth joiner and leaver experience.

• Updating and maintaining the key documents utilised by the team e.g. on-boarding tracker, interview tracker and new starter checklists.

• Meeting new starters on the day of their induction and certifying Right to Work.

• Day to day co-ordination of pre-employment screening process, liaising with our outsourced suppliers.

• Work as part of the HR Operations team providing day to day operational support to the wider UK and International HR teams as required. 

• Taking an active role in team projects as required.

• Establishing and maintaining good relationships with candidates, stakeholders and agencies.

What we are looking for:

• Previous administrative experience, ideally within a professional services environment.

• Experience within recruitment or HR would be advantageous.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Ability to work quickly and effectively in a fast paced environment.

• Excellent IT skills including Outlook, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

• Willingness and aptitude to learn new systems and technologies, including AI-driven tools.

• Ability to deal with highly confidential and sensitive HR issues.

Career Level:

The career level assigned to this role is level 2. The career level framework provides a formal structure for the business services functions at the firm. The framework, which ranges from level 1 to level 7, clearly defines the responsibilities, skills and competencies required at each level.

Here at Simmons & Simmons:

At Simmons, we are proud of our collaborative, open and non-hierarchical culture, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity and the wellbeing of our people is paramount. Our dynamic minds work as one integrated team, partnering with leading organisations on inspirational and thought-provoking projects that matter. From day one, irrespective of job title, qualification or background, everyone’s voice is heard, and you are encouraged to have an enquiring mind and share ideas that drive the firm forward. Through innovative learning and development opportunities, you will have a platform to excel, exceed your career ambitions, and achieve things you never thought possible.

Some key information: 

• We offer a competitive package including bonuses dependant on role/level, private medical insurance and pension contribution.

• Our global skills academy provides our people, regardless of their role and location, with excellent learning opportunities (including live workshops, podcasts, short videos and practical learning experiences).

• We have adopted a hybrid working approach with a requirement for a minimum of three days in the office with flexibility dependant on role/team/client demands.

• We are proud to rank as a Times Top 50 Employer for Gender Equality, a Stonewall Top Global Employer, and a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility.

• We have a range of social and sports committees, summer and winter parties and monthly get togethers.

• We have a range of diversity networks to connect people and celebrate our differences which is integral to our inclusive culture.

• All UK offices have their own artwork collections – including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin pieces in the London office. We have a long-standing history in supporting the art community especially up-and-coming artists.

• We have recently introduced a Strategic Advisory Council which is a mix of associates and business services who will propose strategic initiatives that align with our firm's mission and support the delivery of our business plan, shaping the future of our next-generation law firm.

• Our in-house generative AI tool, Percy, won the ‘Innovation in Automation and AI Tools’ category at the 2024 FT Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards. This achievement highlights our commitment to technological innovation and client service.

• We have been commended in The Times Best Law Firms 2026 across three categories: construction, employment, and intellectual property. Our profile is highly positive, highlighting our sector specialisms and notable case and transactional work.

Equal opportunities:

We are committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion within our firm and to ensuring equal employment opportunities. We believe that this commitment creates a vibrant and rewarding work environment. We are therefore committed to: 

• Upholding equal opportunities, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity, marital status, or pregnancy, including maternity and paternity. This commitment extends to addressing any instances of perceived or associative discrimination and harassment. We also ensure fair treatment during recruitment and selection processes for those who are serving or have served in the armed forces, along with their families. 

• Accommodating requests for flexible working arrangements whenever possible. We encourage you to discuss your needs with us if this is something you require. 

• Making our roles accessible to individuals with diverse abilities. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can meet your needs. 

• We offer a range of employee networks to support our colleagues. More information about these networks can be found in the D&I Information booklet that candidates are sent when invited to interview.

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. We are looking for individuals who are passionate and eager to learn and grow with us. Your unique experiences and perspectives could be a great addition to our team.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this position, please contact the Recruitment Team. To apply for the role, click on the link at the top of the page or visit our careers page for more details.