HR Manager (12-month contract)

About Withers

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 130 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives. 40% of our business comes from Europe, 40% from the US and 20% from Asia and we are one profit sharing partnership globally.

We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle some of the world’s most difficult problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice.

Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests.

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an experienced, detail-oriented and driven HR Manager to provide support, expert advice and guidance across a broad range of HR activities. The role will be responsible for managing key HR processes and compliance requirements, supporting partner lifecycle matters, maintaining HR policies and documentation, and leading projects such as the employee engagement platform. Working closely with stakeholders across the business, the HR Manager will play a key role in ensuring the firm's people practices remain compliant, efficient and aligned with business objectives.

Areas of focus and responsibilities

• Coordinate the preparation of partner-related documentation, including offer letters, changes in status agreements, partnership agreements, and leaving arrangements.
• Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes for partners, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and professional obligations, including SRA requirements.
• Maintain the HR precedent bank, ensuring documentation remains accurate, compliant, and aligned with current legislation and business needs.
• Lead the annual review and update of the employee handbooks globally, coordinating input from key stakeholders across jurisdictions and managing the production of new handbooks where required.
• Develop, review and update HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and best practice.
• Manage the firm's annual anti-money laundering (AML) screening process, including conducting DBS checks, adverse media searches, and other regulatory background screening requirements.
• Support the firm's employee engagement initiatives, including the management of engagement surveys, analysis of feedback, and support the implementation of action plans.
• Develop, maintain and publish the HR guidance pages, resources and tools on the firm's intranet.
• Coordinate HR training sessions to enhance capability and consistency across the generalist HR team.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, recommending and implementing changes to HR policies, processes and documentation as required.
• Lead and contribute to HR projects, process improvements and strategic people initiatives in support of the firm's objectives.
• Undertake additional duties and projects as required to support the wider HR function and business priorities.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Skills and attributes

• Relevant degree-level qualification (desirable)
• CIPD certification (desirable)
• Evidence of relevant HR experience in an HR manager/business partner role – the ideal candidate will come from a professional services background
• High work standards and detail oriented
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with internal clients – must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to build confidence, trust and respect amongst partners and managers
• A team player, with evidence of supporting the wider HR team to deliver a first class HR service to all internal clients
• Demonstrate evidence of ability to work with people at all levels
• Strong service orientation with attention to detail and a sense of urgency
• Ability to manage projects at the same time, using appropriate resources
• First class written and verbal communication skills
• Organised and driven to achieve efficiency
• Proactive, confident, tenacious, resilient and flexible

The Essentials

• 12 month fixed term contract
• 9.30am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• Hybrid working policy with a minimum of 2 days per week worked in the office
• 12 week probation period
• 12 week notice period
• Flexible benefits package including pension, private medical, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, on site café and more

Information for Recruitment Agencies
Withers endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withers operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 
It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion. Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race including colour, nationality and ethnic and national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.