Human Resources Assistant

Freshfields is hiring an HR Assistant to support our Asia HR team. You’ll handle HR queries, employee lifecycle admin, visa processing, and diversity initiatives—all in a fast-paced, global environment.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree + 1-2 years’ HR/admin experience
• Fluent English; Cantonese/Putonghua highly desirable
• Strong MS Office and organizational skills

Why Join Us?
Work with a world-class law firm, collaborate across borders, and grow your HR career.

Apply now and shape your ambition into impact.

____________________________________________________________

JOB DESCRIPTION

The HR Assistant is a first point of contact for all HR related queries from the business.

The HR Assistant based in Hong Kong will be an extension of the HR Operations team in Manchester.  They will predominantly be responsible for the provision of administrative support for the Asia HR team, covering all aspects of the employment lifecycle. Case escalation will be to the relevant HR Executives and HR Managers based in Asia. 

This role will also support our Senior Manager, Diversity & Responsible Business with reporting, research and administration relating to events and seminars.

This role will report to the HR Services Manager (Manchester) and the Senior Human Resources Manager (Hong Kong).

Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Responding to telephone, email and on-line enquiries and providing answers; managing the enquiry from initial contact to closure and ensuring a high level of client service. The job holder will ensure that correct and timely advice is provided and escalate issues when appropriate.
• Providing transactional processing and administration for all main HR processes including on-boarding, pre-employment checks, appraisals, performance management, salary and bonus review, secondments and leavers.
• Provide administrative support for our Diversity & Inclusion and Responsible Business initiatives, research and liaising with charities/third parties where required.
• Manage all new employment visa applications and visa extensions.
• Updating documents in response to new legislation or policy changes.
• Actively participate in regular team meetings to ensure information is shared.
• Involvement in HR projects.
• Updating and maintaining accurate information on the firm’s HR System (Workday) and other filing systems.
• Assist with the running of system report in Workday.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with the other members of the HR team.
• Actively participating in process improvement discussions and implementing necessary changes.

Key requirements (Communication/skills/experience)

Essential

• The ideal candidate is a bachelor’s degree holder, with at least two years of experience supporting office management, human resources functions or secretarial support functions in a professional services firm or multi-national corporation.
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills.  Candidates with the ability to speak Cantonese or Putonghua are preferred.
• Good organization and time management skills, including excellent skills in databases and high level of familiarity with Microsoft Office.

Competencies

• Clear and concise written and oral communication skills.
• The ability to build working relationships with a range of people at all levels.
• Proactive approach with a 'can-do' attitude.
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to improve the way that work is done.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage tasks efficiently sand with a high attention to detail.
• Positive attitude with strong team skills, sharing knowledge, collaborating with and supporting colleagues.
• Excellent customer service skills with a helpful and responsive approach.
• Flexible in approach and adaptable to change or changing deadlines.
• Resilient and calm under pressure.
• Strong attention to detail and good at prioritising workload
• Takes ownership and actively looks for personal learning and development opportunities.
• Demonstrates sound judgement.
• Commitment to the highest level of integrity/
• Focus on finding the right solutions and problem solving.
• An understanding of working across cultural boundaries.