Senior HR Business Partner, Global Practice Groups

​Overview of the Function

The People function partners with all areas of the business to deliver against our core strategic priorities of providing a culture we care about; outstanding career development; an inclusive working environment; and a rewarding deal for all. We promote a culture of continuous improvement and embrace innovative ways of working to ensure we keep pace and remain competitive within the rapidly evolving market we operate within.

HR Business Partnering creates value for the firm through direct business engagement, building a culture of high achievement through delivering excellent people strategy initiatives and processes

Role summary/purpose of job

This role will focus on the development and implementation of a progressive people strategy globally for three legal areas of practice: Dispute Resolutions (DR), Antitrust, Competition & Trade (ACT) and People & Reward (P&R). This will include providing operational and strategic support to the Global Practice Group Leaders and working with the Strategic HR Projects team to successfully deliver change initiatives.  The role holder will be responsible for effecting people change, working closely with the Global Practice Group Leaders for all significant people priorities, and drawing on expertise from specialists in the Global Centres of Expertise to build strong relationships and help deliver a consistent experience for Freshfields colleagues worldwide.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Play an active and highly participative role as a member of the Global Practice Group management team, contributing effectively at the highest level.

• Provide strategic HR support and advice to the Global Practice Group Leader, Local Practice Group Leaders and partners.

• Collaborate with the Practice Group HR Business Partners across the Firm’s offices, resulting in regular engagement with HRBPs across the Practice Group and take the necessary action to ensure knowledge sharing.

• Ensure global alignment across Practice Groups Develop on the delivery of Firm’s HR strategy by working closely with regional and local colleagues for a coordinated approach.

• Drive people and organizational initiatives that contribute actively to a ‘one firm’ approach across Freshfields.

• Develop ways to reinforce important elements of our culture with a view to continually striving to improve behaviors, encourage respect, modernizing the way we work and further supporting progressive working practices.

• Provide strategic oversight and ongoing management of Practice Group-led mobility programs.

• Facilitate effective workforce planning and decision-making based on reliable core people data.  Make recommendations for changes to reflect future business plans and the need to attract, retain and develop top local and international talent.

• Support the internal promotions process for Partnership and Counsel.

• Facilitate the delivery of an effective performance management approach that drives excellent performance. 

• Build relationships with the People Leadership team, connecting on a regular basis.

• Work closely with colleagues in the Strategic HR Projects team and contribute to, and on occasion lead, global HR projects.

• Facilitate the implementation of the Firm’s approach to diversity and inclusion both in its attraction of new talent and in retention and development of existing staff.

Key requirements

Essential

• Experienced HR Business Partner who has gained significant exposure to “best practice” HR methodologies, preferably in a law firm, professional services firm, or big four firm

• Strong HR experience in an international organisation in a senior HR position where HR is a respected business partner, contributing on a consultative and participative basis to business success and introducing and embedding best practice

• Experience working in a global or international role, supporting teams, managing projects and driving implementation across multiple locations

• Strong HR generalist with exposure to organisational and leadership development, succession planning, performance management, compensation & benefits and experience managing sensitive people-related matters

• Collaborative mindset; relationship builder with strong influencing skills, capable of creating high-functioning teams at every level of organisations

• Relevant transformation experience in managing organisational/people change

• Demonstrates comfort with risk and operates with confidence in an evolving environment; motivated by seeking out new ideas and pushing boundaries

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a track record of effectiveness as a project and people leader

• Flexibility and ability to adapt to and drive results under changing conditions

• Experience influencing and building credibility with stakeholders across all levels

• Excellent written and oral communication, including persuasive negotiation skills

• Fluency in spoken and written English, proficiency in other languages advantageous

Desirable:

• Qualification in Business or People Management (such as MBA, CIPD, CHRO)

• Has worked internationally, in different countries

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.