HR Manager

Owen Reed is looking for an experienced, detail-oriented and driven HR Manager to join a leading law firm on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established HR professional to provide expert advice and guidance across a broad range of people-related activities. The HR Manager will oversee key HR processes and compliance requirements, support partner lifecycle matters and lead important projects, including the firm’s employee engagement programme.

Working closely with partners, managers and stakeholders across the business, you will play a key role in ensuring the firm’s people practices remain compliant, efficient and aligned with its wider business objectives.

THE ROLE

As HR Manager, you will provide high-quality operational and strategic HR support across the firm. You will manage a varied workload covering partner documentation, HR policies, regulatory screening, employee engagement, training and process improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate the preparation of partner-related documentation, including offer letters, status-change agreements, partnership agreements and leaving arrangements.

• Oversee partner onboarding and offboarding, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and professional obligations, including SRA requirements.

• Maintain the HR precedent bank, ensuring all documentation remains accurate, compliant and aligned with current legislation and business requirements.

• Lead the annual review and update of employee handbooks globally.

• Coordinate input from stakeholders across different jurisdictions and manage the production of new handbooks where required.

• Develop, review and update HR policies and procedures in line with employment legislation and best practice.

• Manage the firm’s annual anti-money laundering screening process.

• Conduct and coordinate DBS checks, adverse media searches and other regulatory background-screening requirements.

• Support employee engagement initiatives, including managing surveys, analysing feedback and assisting with the implementation of action plans.

• Develop, maintain and publish HR guidance pages, resources and tools on the firm’s intranet.

• Coordinate HR training sessions to improve capability and consistency across the generalist HR team.

• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and recommend changes to HR policies, processes and documentation.

• Lead and contribute to HR projects, process improvements and strategic people initiatives.

• Undertake additional duties and projects as required to support the wider HR function and the firm’s business priorities.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for a confident and proactive HR professional who can build trusted relationships across all levels of the business.

The successful candidate will ideally have

• Substantial HR experience gained in an HR Manager or HR Business Partner role.

• Previous experience within a law firm or professional services environment.

• A relevant degree-level qualification, although this is desirable rather than essential.

• CIPD certification, although this is desirable rather than essential.

• Excellent knowledge of HR policies, employment practices and relevant compliance requirements.

• High professional standards and exceptional attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build confidence, trust and respect among partners and managers.

• The ability to work effectively with stakeholders at every level of the business.

• A collaborative approach and a commitment to supporting the wider HR team.

• A strong service orientation, a sense of urgency and a focus on delivering an excellent internal client experience.

• Proven project-management skills and the ability to manage several priorities simultaneously.

• First-class written and verbal communication skills.

• A highly organised approach with a drive to improve efficiency.

• A proactive, confident, tenacious, resilient and flexible working style.

THE ESSENTIALS

• 12-month fixed-term contract.

• Working hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with flexibility required.

• Hybrid working, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.

• 12-week probationary period.

• 12-week notice period.

• Flexible benefits package, including pension, private medical insurance, season tick