HR Manager (Legal)

Fox Williams offers a unique opportunity to advance your career in a personable, progressive and entrepreneurial environment. Our people and culture are important to us and central to everything we do. We continually strive to create and maintain a friendly and supportive environment for our staff. You will quickly get to know everyone from the Senior Partner to the most junior staff. Whilst we are recognised for our strong culture and investing in our people, we are equally well known for our high profile matters, quality of our work and solving our clients’ most complex legal issues.

Fox Williams is committed to creating a diverse workforce which reflects the demographics of society and the broad range of clients for whom we work. We collaborate with our recruitment agents to seek a broad talent pool for all of our roles. We are passionate about working in an inclusive environment and successful candidates will be required to uphold this.

Responsibilities

The role itself is to provide an excellent HR experience to the six legal departments in all their ‘people’ activities:

• HR admin: overall responsibility for the new joiner and leaver processes including checking offer letters, RTW and all references provided; integral role with on boarding in overseeing accurate new joiner experience and HR inductions - hold HR induction for new joiners below Partner level. Overseas HRC with work experience requests and fulfilment. Completes SRA compliance as it applies to HR including Practising Certificates annual renewal and confirming all fee earners have the correct certificates and auto signatures. Works with HRC to complete and submit annual salary benchmarking survey data. Sign off via Emburse for expenses and invoices.
• Payroll: Check monthly payroll bundle for all legal teams to ensure accuracy and audit compliance. Liaises with Payroll Manager and FD to complete monthly HR payroll sign-off. Works with HRC to produce salary review and bonus letters, ready for distribution to HoDs.
• Employee Lifecycle: works closely with supervising partners to manage the Probation process; Parental Leave, Flexible Working, Absence Management, etc. Works closely with Supervising Partners to support on performance management queries and best practice. Manages review processes to completion and super user of our feedback and review system (PL). Supports HRM with the annual benefits renewal process, comms and liaison with client group. Has the knowledge and confidence to respond to ad hoc benefits queries. Responsible for confirming new partner medicals. Works with TO and HRP to complete annual salary benchmarking information.
• Employee relations: Works closely with Supervising Partners to support on difficult performance issues (scripts, letters, hosting meetings) and is investigating officer for grievances. Engages HRCs to support their development through notetaking. Leads on any DSAR submitted.
• Learning and Development: Works with HR Partner & MP to review Skill Standards and PDP content, listening to feedback and continually improving content. Hosts Training Partner meetings to co-ordinate central training, budgets and invoices. Liaises with HRC to schedule and promote PDP and mentoring programme. Works with the HRC to manage lawyer’s Mentoring programme.
• Trainee Recruitment: attends Vacation Schemes and Insight Days to support Talent Officer in their successful delivery. Offers support throughout various assessment stages. Supports Talent Offer with SRA compliance.
• Recruitment: understands FW processes and is a competent user of Bob Hiring/ Apply4Law platforms. Supervises HRC when providing cover for TO role when on leave. Supports with interviews as needed.
• HR Operations: Overall responsibility for new joiners and leavers processes and weekly updates for legal teams; super user for all FW systems and trains other HR colleagues to become so. Reviews content of current policies and creates first draft of new HR Firm policies and makes legal updates for sign-off by HRP.
• Line Management: Provide leadership, guidance, and support to HRC, HRA and any HR temp staff. Ensures accuracy in all tasks and assists with prioritisation and capacity of their to do lists. Provides pastoral care. Is HR team point of contact for Payroll Manager (consultant).
• HR Projects: Lead or contribute to HR projects, such as HR system implementations, organisational changes, or process improvements.

Requirements

The HR team supports the firm to deliver its high-quality service to clients, while keeping true to our values and retaining our unique culture, to ensure Fox Williams continues to be an enjoyable, engaging place to work for all.

We are looking for a dedicated, proactive HR Manager to join our HR team. This role is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to have end-to-end ownership of a dedicated client group (our six legal teams). The successful candidate should have a minimum of 5 years HR generalist experience, including the management of disciplinary and grievance procedures / investigations. We are looking for someone who is very willing to continue to learn on the job and has a proactive ‘can do’ attitude. The right person will be energetic and personable but detailed focussed on all aspects in the delivery of their role. As a member of a small (front-line) HR team, we are looking for someone with good communication skills, and who brings enthusiasm to their role and to the contribution they can bring to the team.