Job description

The HR team at A&O Shearman provides a first-class service to the business, offering strategic HR business advice and operational excellence through business partners and specialist teams in the full range of HR functions such as talent and development, resourcing, reward, employee relations, systems and HR administration.

What you will do

In this role, you will work with the HR team to provide a high level of both HR operational support and HR advice to the Finance & ENRI practice groups in London. The HR generalist teams sit within the global HR function.

This will include:

Acting as a trusted advisor within London Finance & ENRI and deliver a fully integrated HR offering including but not limited to:

Operational HR

Support individual employees on day-to-day HR issues/ policy queries (e.g. maternity/paternity leave, flexible working, leave requests and salary and benefits queries)
Monitor and report on sickness absence, manage occupational health referrals and conduct check-in meetings as appropriate
Provide support to international secondees (international and client) e.g. through check-ins and collecting end of secondment feedback
Manage relationships with trainees, solicitor apprentices and NQ’s upon qualification, ensuring a smooth transition into the practice group
Manage on-boarding and off-boarding processes for new joiners and leavers.

Reward

Provide assistance as required to the Senior HR Manager and HR Manager to deliver the salary and bonus review for associates, counsel, practice professionals, PA’s and ‘support in the line’ staff in London Finance & ENRI
Supporting with Senior HR Manager and HR Manager with monthly payroll checks, ensuring the payroll team are notified of changes and flagging any discrepancies.

Resource Planning and Management Information

Provide administrative support on key management processes and initiatives
Keep up to date with all staff movements to enable effective resource management,
Provide assistance as required to the Senior HR Manager and HR Manager to produce a manpower plan for the practice groups and closely monitor headcount, including monthly and ad hoc reports

Performance management / employee relations

Coordinate and manage the Compass timetable for associates and ‘support in the line’ staff together with the Senior HR Manager and HR Manager
Prepare for and attend quarterly talent discussions, working with the Senior HR Manager and HR Manager to collate and follow up on actions following the discussions
Assist with the coordination of local promotion processes, including Senior Associate, Counsel and support roles
Involvement in performance improvement plans where appropriate
Assist the Senior HR Manager and HR Manager in providing advice and support to managers on ER matters
Provide ad hoc support to the ER team (e.g. supporting with disciplinary and grievance investigations, subject access requests and disclosure exercises)

Talent & Development

Liaise with the Training & Events team to promote associate training programmes and nominate individuals to attend where appropriate
Ensuring the London Finance & ENRI talent pool data and promotion pipelines remain up to date
Arrange internal and external coaching, mentoring or training where developmental needs are identified

Inclusion

Work with the Senior HR Manager and HR Manager to drive forward various inclusion initiatives across London Finance & ENRI

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Work with the Senior HR Manager and HR Manager to embed various mental health and wellbeing initiatives across the department including the Mindful Business Charter, promoting resources and events and engaging with mental health allies to increase engagement

What you will have

Proven HR experience; Ideally CIPD qualified or similar certification
Can demonstrate strong relationship building and influencing skills
Good knowledge of current employment law particularly in relation to performance management
Experience of working with HR systems (we use PeopleSoft), and competent in Excel
Ability to be flexible and work across a wide range of client groups
Excellent attention to detail, prioritisation and organisational skills
Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
Proven ability to combine excellent technical knowledge with sound commercial judgment and to influence decisions
Resilient; able to understand that credibility has to be earned in this environment and may take time

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

Our approach to hybrid working seeks to combine and maximise the benefits of effective remote working with the benefits of being in the office. Our current hybrid working arrangements require office based working for a minimum of 60% of your time (i.e. three days per week for a full time role) in accordance with our hybrid working policy.

#LI

A&O Shearman is a global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in nearly 30 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Apply