Senior HR Business Partner (12 Month FTC) - #2185007

Please note that we also welcome applications from candidates interested in this role on a part-time basis.

About the Role

The HR department is responsible for the provision of a full range of HR services to the Firm including recruitment and resourcing, talent management, compensation and benefits, performance management, employee relations, staff welfare, compliance and maintenance of personnel records.

As a Senior HR Business Partner, reporting into the Head of HR, you will be the operational interface between HR and your designated business units across our UK offices. Your role will be to embed best-practice approaches to human resources development and management to support front-line delivery. You will also have line-management responsibility of a Senior HR Advisor (Belfast).

You'll champion operational excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. Through clear management and sound judgement, you'll help the team deliver high-quality, commercially focused support and contribute to the firm's long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Proactively develop and maintain strong, influential relationships with senior stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor.
• Act as a trusted point of contact to partners, manage expectations, handle escalations and collaborate across offices and functions
• Lead the development and delivery of business unit people plans aligned with Group and HR strategies.
• Provide strategic input into business planning and change initiatives.

Employee Relations

• Provide commercially sound solutions to complex and high-risk HR issues, balancing legal compliance with business needs.
• Lead on sensitive employee relations matters including performance, disciplinary, grievance, absence management, redundancies, and flexible working.
• Coach and challenge senior leaders in the effective application of HR policies and practices.

Talent Management

• Partner with senior stakeholders to identify and develop high-potential and high-performing talent.
• Lead on the design and implementation of retention strategies and development plans for key talent.

Performance Management

• Drive a high-performance culture by setting expectations and supporting leaders in managing performance proactively.
• Lead business unit appraisal and salary moderation and contribute to firm-wide calibration to ensure fairness and consistency.

Project Management

• Lead and deliver strategic HR projects in support of the firm’s people strategy.
• Collaborate with other HR Business Partners to ensure alignment and consistency in project and policy development.

Team Management and Leadership

• Line manage and develop a Senior HR Advisor, providing coaching, guidance, and performance feedback.
• Contribute to leadership of HR Operations team and act as a senior figure within the wider-HR team
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the HR team.

Qualifications and Experience

• Previous experience of working in a law firm or professional services is desirable.
• Generalist HR experience, ideally gained within the legal or alternatively professional services industry.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Commitment to deliver first-rate, pro-active and appropriate HR support for their business areas.
• Extensive knowledge of England and Wales employment law. Knowledge of Northern Ireland employment law desirable, but not essential.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, lead multiple workstreams and manage other third parties effectively.
• Experience managing and supporting the development of junior HR colleagues.
• Comfortable with analysing various datasets to inform decisions.
• A positive and resilient disposition as well as being a strong team player
• A motivated and proactive approach, with the ability to work independently and a commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices.
• A collaborative and influential working style, with the ability to build trusted relationships across functions, seniority levels, offices and jurisdictions.

What do we offer?

• You can be yourself: It takes everyone to make us who we are. We’re a culture of diverse perspectives, with each of us making unique contributions that make us better together.
• In the office or WFH?: We think the best balance is more time in the office than at home, so we operate a 60:40 rule.
• Beyond salary: We offer plenty of benefits; private medical insurance, health cash plan, dental insurance, life assurance, critical illness insurance, matched pension contributions up to 7%, holiday trading, plus many more.
• Nurturing your talent: Take a 'build a career' approach to your training. You'll be on a pathway but free to wander if you see something you'd like to study more closely.
• Funnel your interests: You have a life outside work, and we can help it to flourish. Join clubs, affinity networks, inclusive events, and pro bono/charity initiatives.

Inclusion at Fieldfisher

At Fieldfisher, inclusion is central to how we work. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to succeed.

If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process or once you join us, we will work with you to put the right support in place. Examples include extra time for assessments, accessible document formats, alternative interview formats, quiet rooms, or physical and technological accessibility support.

What to do next:

• Click 'Apply Now', complete an online application and upload a CV. Please note that CVs will not be accepted via email in line with our data privacy policy.
• Successful applications will be invited to a 20–30-minute introductory call with a recruiter.
• For hybrid opportunities, you'll be invited to visit our offices for a face-to-face meeting.
• We try to make sure the process takes around 2-3 weeks only, but we can't always promise that. We will work around everyone's availability.