HR Manager; FTC)

HR Manager role in London HR team on 6-month contract

Partner with UK business services departments to deliver firm's people strategy

Provide advice, guidance and support in aspects of people management

Offer expert employee relations advice and ensure HR policies remain compliant

Participate in development and implementation of HR strategy

We have an exciting opportunity for an HR Manager to join the London HR team on a 6-month fixed-term contract.

Working as part of the UK HR team, the HR Manager's role is to business partner with their client groups (UK-based business services departments) to deliver the firm's people strategy.

The post-holder will work in a collegiate environment with colleagues from Partner HR, Talent Acquisition, Reward & Benefits, Early Careers, HRIS and Diversity, Inclusion & Corporate Responsibility teams. Strict confidentiality and discretion are key requirements of this role. A genuine interest in Human Resources and a desire to learn are essential.

In London, the team comprises of HR professionals across all areas from graduate and lateral recruitment, learning & development to teams specialising in generalist HR, our HR system, partner HR, corporate social responsibility and diversity: all working alongside our international colleagues in supporting our 33 offices. Collaborative and committed to creating a valuable service to the firm, we are focused on providing the best service to all Bird & Bird employees and partners.

The Generalist HR team is headed by the Head of HR (for the London office). Working alongside a Senior HR Manager, this role is supported by a Senior HR Officer and the HR admin team. The team reports into, and works closely with, the Chief People Officer to provide global client groups with a high quality, responsive and proactive HR service.

A focus on service delivery and an ability to communicate and build relationships at all levels is key.

The successful candidate will work alongside the London HR team, with the main objective to provide first-rate advice, guidance and support to our business services departments, including the Heads of Department, line managers, and business services employees in all aspects of people management. Key areas of responsibility include:

• Partner with Heads of Department to drive talent management, performance, career development and employee engagement across Business Services teams.
• Lead the performance management cycle, including performance reviews, moderation processes, objective setting, feedback culture and follow-up actions.
• Coach and develop managers and leaders on people management best practices, employee development and effective leadership behaviours.
• Provide expert employee relations advice on complex matters including disciplinary, grievance, absence management, family leave, flexible working, restructures and managed exits.
• Ensure HR policies and practices remain compliant and competitive, applying employment legislation in a commercially focused and pragmatic manner.
• Support organisational change initiatives, partnering with stakeholders to manage change, employee wellbeing and workforce engagement.
• Analyse HR metrics and management information, providing insights and recommendations to support attraction, retention, workforce planning and business decision-making.
• Lead reward and recognition activity within designated client groups, including annual salary and bonus reviews, benefits guidance and market benchmarking.
• Partner with business leaders on workforce planning and recruitment, including headcount forecasting, role design, recruitment approvals, talent acquisition support and immigration matters.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of HR strategy, collaborating…