Human Resources Manager

My client, a leading technology and media law firm, with offices across the globe, are looking to hire a HR Manager to cover a 6 month maternity leave FTC.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced HR professional to join a highly regarded international organisation, partnering with senior leaders and business services teams to deliver a best-in-class people agenda. Working within a collaborative and high-performing HR function, you will act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders, providing strategic and operational HR support across a broad range of people matters.

The successful candidate will enjoy working in a fast-paced, professional environment and will have the confidence and credibility to influence stakeholders at all levels. This role offers significant exposure to senior leadership, people strategy, employee relations, talent management, organisational change, and workforce planning.

As HR Manager, you will partner closely with department heads and business leaders, providing proactive HR support and helping to drive employee engagement, performance, and organisational effectiveness.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Acting as a trusted HR Business Partner to a range of business services functions.
• Coaching and supporting managers on all aspects of people management and leadership.
• Providing expert advice on employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, performance, absence management, flexible working, family leave, restructuring, and exit processes.
• Supporting talent management and succession planning initiatives across designated client groups.
• Leading annual people processes, including performance reviews, calibration discussions, salary reviews, bonus cycles, and promotion processes.
• Partnering with leaders to improve employee engagement, retention, and development initiatives.
• Supporting organisational change projects and helping leaders navigate change effectively.
• Using HR data and management information to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, providing meaningful recommendations to stakeholders.
• Contributing to workforce planning, recruitment activity, headcount management, and organisational design discussions.
• Supporting reward and recognition initiatives, including salary benchmarking and market analysis.
• Ensuring HR policies and procedures remain compliant, commercially focused, and aligned with business objectives.
• Working closely with specialist HR teams including Talent Acquisition, Reward, Learning & Development, HR Systems, and Inclusion & Diversity colleagues.
• Contributing to broader HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

To be successful in this position, you will be a commercially minded HR professional with strong generalist expertise and a genuine passion for partnering with the business.

You will ideally possess:

• Previous experience operating at HR Manager or Senior HR Advisor level within a professional services environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Significant employee relations experience, including handling complex and sensitive cases.
• Proven experience partnering with senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making.
• Experience supporting performance management, talent development, succession planning, and organisational change.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery.
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence interpreting people data and metrics.
• High levels of discretion, professionalism, and commercial awareness.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent experience.

Why apply?

• A 6-month fixed-term contract within a highly respected international law firm.
• Exposure to senior leadership and strategic HR initiatives.
• A collaborative, supportive, and high-performing HR team.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, wellbeing support, gym discounts, cycle-to-work initiatives, and additional lifestyle benefits.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a globally connected and people-focused organisation.
• This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional seeking a broad, business-facing role where they can utilise their advisory and partnering skills while supporting an ambitious and dynamic professional services business.