Senior HR Business Partner

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive.

We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services. If you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

This Senior HR Business Partner role is a key strategic advisor to the Corporate Finance practice group. As one of the firm’s largest and most ambitious groups, they require a highly credible, commercially minded HR leader to act as a proactive driver of change, balancing cyclical HR demands with the long‑term strategic agenda.

The role partners closely with Product Group Heads and senior stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions, influencing their people strategy, supporting growth plans, and shaping high‑performing teams. It includes active participation in leadership forums, away days and strategic planning sessions to embed the people agenda at the heart of business decision‑making.

The Senior HR Business Partner will work alongside other Lead and Senior HR Business Partners in the UK and across the international network, ensuring alignment, consistency and collaboration across jurisdictions.

Strategic HR Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor to Practice and Product Group Heads, contributing directly to business strategy, leadership effectiveness and organisational performance.
• Lead the development and delivery of the people strategy for Corporate Finance, ensuring alignment with the firm’s strategic priorities, while collaborating closely with the HR Director to shape and embed key initiatives.
• Act as a senior member of the IO leadership team for these practice groups, contributing to discussions on organisational strategy, growth priorities and talent needs.
• Provide strategic HR insight to Product Group Heads and Stream Leads, influencing people decisions and supporting long term workforce planning.
• Lead and manage international people initiatives and change programmes across both groups.

Talent & Partner Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Corporate Finance Partner group, to enable effective delivery of our people strategy.
• Build strong relationships with pre-Partner talent, providing coaching, support and challenge as they progress in their journey to partnership.
• Oversee lateral Partner integration and ensure a consistent, high quality induction and onboarding experience.
• Drive retention and attraction strategies, working collaboratively with the Talent Acquisition team.

Operational & Cyclical HR Delivery

• Lead all cyclical HR activities, including the global employee review, promotions (including Partner promotions), salary review and budgeting processes.
• Provide expert leadership on complex ER matters across multiple jurisdictions, including making decisions and handling settlement discussions.
• Ensure headcount and budgeting decisions align with business strategy and profitability goals.
• Use people data and analytics to identify risks, opportunities and trends, informing strategic decision making.

Organisational Development & Change

• Challenge and shape team structures to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
• Provide strategic advice, coaching and guidance to leaders and HR colleagues.
• Act as a conduit across geographies to ensure alignment of people initiatives and consistent approaches.
• Proactively identify and drive initiatives to enhance performance, capability and engagement across the groups.

Leadership of the HR Function

• Lead, manage and develop a virtual team of HR Business Partners.
• Role model high performance, coaching others to build capability, confidence and strategic thinking.
• Work collaboratively with the HR Director to ensure a seamless partnership approach across all Partner related activities.