HR Business Partner, Corporate Full time NEW

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Key Responsibilities:

The primary focus of this role is to act as the key contact for designated client groups and to pro-actively deliver HR services to those groups.

Business partnering and day to day operations

• Work closely with Corporate fee earner groups to understand how HR can support their people and operational priorities;

• Act as a trusted adviser and sounding board for Corporate fee earners;

• Where relevant attend management meetings for the Corporate fee earner group.

Employee Relations

• First point of contact for Corporate fee earners in relation to HR issues, provide guidance and support to ensure that all employee issues are resolved, with the emphasis on building excellent relationships and instilling trust;

• Management of all flexible working requests;

• Co-ordinate the delivery of performance management, performance review and salary review and bonus processes for each practice area;

• Within the Corporate groups, assist with the successful implementation of new employment policies and practices;

• Support the Ask HR Team with managing the maternity leave process for fee earners;

• Review, co-ordinate and implement the induction process for new joiners;

• Conduct new joiner conversations, collate feedback and communicate to the appropriate people as necessary;

• Conduct exit interviews and communicate feedback to the appropriate people as necessary;

• Oversee the probation review process;

• Work with International team to support secondees in and out of the group;

• Proactively promote secondment opportunities and manage the client secondment process.

Reward and performance

• Co-ordinate the delivery and communications of moderation, performance review, and salary review processes in conjunction with the Reward and Management Information team, with support from the HR Manager as required;

• Maintain resourcing plans for designated client groups and work with the Recruitment team to provide cost efficient and effective recruitment solutions which are in line with the needs of the business;

• Assist with the inbound and outbound international and client secondments movements within the Corporate practice groups and liaise with the International mobility and tax teams on any complex queries.

Development

• Attend meetings with Learning and Development managers for Corporate when required;

• Arrange internal (and where required) external coaching for associates and partners.

Project Work/ ad hoc responsibilities

• Assist and lead (where applicable) small-scale people projects for the Corporate practice groups;

• Support the Practice Manager and other business services teams such as Business Finance with ad hoc requests and projects.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• A minimum of 2 years HR generalist and business partnering experience at the adviser level, preferably with some professional services experience although those with less or more experience will be considered provided they can demonstrate the core skills and experience required for the role;

• Sound understanding of current employment legislation;

• Strong influencing and negotiating skills;

• Good knowledge of employee relations process particularly in respect to performance management;

• PC literate (Microsoft Office suite).

Competencies

Personal Leadership

• Positively impacts those around them, makes quality decisions and develops themselves both personally and professionally

• Demonstrates sound knowledge in their field

• Anticipates potential problems and identifies a range of possible solutions

• Adapts their interpersonal style to suit different audiences in a genuine way

Builds Authentic Relationships

• Takes time to get to know people beyond their role

• Treats people with respect and in a fair and consistent way

• Recognises when colleagues are under pressure and volunteers to assist them where possible

Collaborates with others

• Works within teams and across boundaries to share knowledge and achieve results

• Identifies and builds relationships required to achieve the best outcomes for the firm

• Engages people with the right skills, knowledge and expertise to provide advice and assist with tasks

• Connects other people in the firm who have mutual interests or work objectives

• Generously shares their time, knowledge, expertise and talent to support others’ success

Enhances the Client Experience

• Creates opportunities to enhance the experience of the firm’s clients through their daily tasks

• Behaves consistently with the firm’s values in their interactions with others

• Conducts themselves in a way that reflects positively on the firm’s brand, both inside and outside the firm

Achieves Results

• Maintains focus and drive to achieve quality outcomes

• Focuses their time and efforts on issues that will have the greatest impact on agreed objectives

• Anticipates responses and plans their approach accordingly

• Looks for the most effective way to achieve outcomes

• Maintains perspective and optimism when faced with setbacks

Team

Human Resources

Full time

Location

London

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.