HR Adviser (no agencies)

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

You can expect:

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• The opportunity to support the firm's charity through volunteering leave
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
• Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
• We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives

The HR and T&D department comprises of 50+ people globally and is responsible for the effective management of all matters concerning the employment and development of people within Stephenson Harwood. This involves carrying out appropriate initiatives, providing guidance and support to partners, managers and all employees alike, as well as supporting the creation of an environment which enables people to make the best use of their capabilities and realise their
potential to the benefit of the firm and themselves. This means that we are involved in a wide range of activities including:

• Implementing our people and talent strategy in line with business objectives
• Recruitment of all partners and employees, including graduate 'trainee' recruitment
• Talent and career management
• Reward strategy and salary review
• Supporting the appraisal and performance management process
• Employment and personnel administration, including payroll and benefits
• Policy and procedures setting and the practical application of these across the business.

Role Overview:

A key member of the HR team, this role will support the wider HR team in the provision of a consistently high level, seamless service to our internal clients. Reporting to and working closely with the HR Managers, the adviser will be involved in advisory and consultancy work, primarily to assigned client groups (mix of fee earner and business support groups) as well as supporting our international offices as and when required, which will involve working closely with the wider HR and T&D teams and other support departments. The role will also be supported by and be the line manager of an HR Assistant.

Main responsibilities:

• Supporting and advising defined client groups based on the people strategy
• Employee life cycle, including onboarding, supporting with probation reviews, managing flexible working requests, advising on client secondments and international assignments, immigration management, absence management
• Leading on regular processes such as the annual appraisal and salary review process, including market research
• Conducting exit interviews and summarising any trends and making recommendations
• Advising on performance management
• Working closely with the relevant stakeholders to drive forward diversity and inclusion as well as change managements

Employee relations (ER)

• Acting as the first point of contact for ER, taking responsibility for ER issues
• Handling ER issues including disciplinary hearings, grievances and performance discussions and supporting the HR Manager with more complex cases
• Supporting recruitment where appropriate
• Policies, knowhow and developing the HR function, including acting as an SME on defined topics
• Leading or assisting with HR projects related to the firm’s people strategy
• People management and development of an HR Assistant

Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

• Significant relevant experience of working in an HR role, either at assistant/coordinator or adviser level
• Experience of employee relations (supporting disciplinaries, grievances and performance management conversations) and global mobility (including dealing with immigration issues and supporting visa applications)
• Experience of working in a professional services firm is desirable and using an HR information system to effectively support an advisory role
• Previous supervisory experience in either a formal or informal capacity would be desirable
• Strong IT skills in Word, PowerPoint and Excel (formula and analysis)
• Service focused attitude, with an approachable and professional manner
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with people at all levels of the business
• Ability to create strong relationships and use influencing skills when appropriate with stakeholders
• Ability to work autonomously and see key HR processes through from beginning to end
• Resilient and pragmatic with the ability to respond in a timely manner to requests
• Manage time and stakeholders effectively whilst remaining clam under pressure
• Results focussed with the ability to deliver results to a consistently high standard
• Proactive, well organised and able to structure and prioritise own work
• Commercially focussed in understanding and approach
• Able to use initiative and make suggestions to improve or change processes
• Able to handle sensitive situations and information in a confidential and discreet manner

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex andever-changing world.

Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.

With more than 1,400 people, including 210+ partners, across eight offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Our brand strengths:

• GO FAR, GO TOGETHER
• EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW
• CAN DO PERSONALITIES
• ALWAYS READY