THE FIRM
Walkers is a leading international law and professional services firm providing legal, corporate and fiduciary services to global corporations, financial institutions, capital market participants and investment fund managers. With a global presence spanning the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we advise on the jurisdictions of Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Ireland and Jersey.
Walkers treat everyone as the intelligent grown-ups they are. We take a grown-up approach to getting the job done – trusting and empowering our people to deliver consistently, and enabling them to succeed. Diversity is our secret weapon – it’s the sheer breadth of Walkers people that makes us who we are – gathered from across the globe and fluent in languages, jurisdictions and cultures that help us to mirror our clients and keep our own thinking in tune with the world we operate in.
The global HR team works across our ten offices and plays a key role in enabling the firm to attract, develop and retain great people. We work in a diverse and inclusive environment where all our people can do their best work and realise their full potential to the benefit of the firm and themselves. Due to the particular growth of the London Office, we are looking for an experienced, highly organised and proactive HR generalist to join the HR team.
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB
As a trusted partner, the HR Manager helps aligns business objectives with employees and management in the London office.
The primary focus for this important role is to administer and implement all of the Firm's HR procedures and processes fairly; to lead entry to middle level employee relations cases, to accurately administer the monthly payroll, pension and benefits protocols, support the annual performance and reward cycle, and support both local and global projects. The HR Manager will work closely with the Head of HR and the Global Recruitment team to facilitate the end-to-end recruitment process of all staff joining the London office. They will collaborate with the European and Global teams on projects and form meaningful working relationship across the global HR function to deliver value added service to management and employees that reflect the Firm’s objectives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
RECRUITMENT AND INITIAL ONBOARDING
- Supports the Global Recruitment team to drive staffing and recruitment activities for the London office
- Collate annual salary surveys for the UK market as it relates the job roles in the London office.
- Track all new/live roles and offers on a weekly basis and report on the journey through the entire recruitment cycle from hire to onboarding.
- Support interviews and evaluate candidates with the recruiting manager, when required.
- Work with the Head of HR and or Recruiting Manager to analyse compensation information in order to make a solid offer recommendation
- Lead all verification/background screenings and contract productions for new candidates. If required, extends job offers and negotiate with candidates within the budgetary constraints.
- Overseeing and prepare contract terms for new hires, promotions, transfers and the on boarding process including orientation and induction
- Assist international employees with relocation, immigration for non UK nationality candidates and related HR matters.
- Work with the Head of HR to develop an Internship programme that will attract and develop local talent, for the London office.
BENEFITS, COMPENSATION AND POLICY ADMINISTRATION
- Provides input into the development, implementation, and administration of HR policies and procedures and their dissemination
- Advises managers/practice group leaders and employees on general benefits and compensation-related matters; forwards high level issues to the Head of HR and benefits team
- Support managers and practice group leaders with developing position descriptions and conducting job classifications
- Assist with the administration of the Year-End Performance and Growth Plans (PGPs) process and Regular check-ins. Monitor to ensure all PGP forms are completed by the deadline and filled correctly.
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
- Act as the first line of contact in Human Resources for any probation related issues or entry to mid-level employee relations issues involving employees and middle managers.
- Conduct regular meetings with respective business units and practice group leaders to build and maintain good working relationships with HR.
- Serves as a trusted advisor to employees, business unit leads and partners on a wide variety of issues such as training needs, poor performance, policy interpretations, career development, conflict management, and other issues impacting productivity and/or morale
- Support, develop and coach business line managers / partners to manage employee relations issues using Walkers policies, procedures and best practice, ideally resolving issues where possible informally
- Able to support formal capability, disciplinary or grievance hearings
PROJECTS/INITIATIVES & STRATEGY
- Part of the global HR team in the implementation of the strategic HR Plan, projects and
- initiatives at Walkers to positively add value to both our business and employees
- Supporting the delivery and implementation of HR global projects that support or deliver
- change linked to the global HR strategy
- Work with the Head of HR, Regional HR Director and with key stakeholders to ensure that all
- HR projects and initiatives are appropriately communicated and implemented.
- Support the design and implementation of a Wellbeing strategy for the London office
- Identify local projects and HR initiatives in line with the business objectives
ADMINISTRATION, SYSTEMS & RECORDS
- Administer all family friendly leave in line with local laws. In addition, support the case for any discretionary leave request to the Office Managing Partner.
- Promote the use of People Central (HR systems), policies and processes, challenging appropriately as necessary
- Manage exit processes for colleagues, carrying out exit interviews and reporting the results bi-annually
- Ensure Payroll, Pension and Benefits are accurately administered on a monthly basis; and all queries from staff are responded to in a timely manner.
- Oversee, input and regularly update employee information into the firm's HRIS
- Regularly update own knowledge of the firm's people policies, procedures and processes
- Work with the Office Manager to administer Health, Safety and Wellbeing plans for the office
QUALIFICATIONS
CIPD qualification preferred
Educated to a minimum of degree level
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Technically strong HR Manager/generalist with proven experience working in a legal / professional or financial services environment, ideally in a business operating across multiple jurisdictions
- Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to identify and implement pragmatic HR solutions to support line managers and the business needs
- Good communication skills with an ability to interact sensitively and professionally with staff at all levels of the organisation, both verbally and in writing
- Strong organisational skills, including planning and time management to enable effective prioritisation and delivery of multiple activities
- An enthusiastic, motivated and quick learner
- Ability to work under pressure using own initiative and judgement
- Flexible approach and willing to adapt and provide assistance where required
- Attention to detail and passionate about quality
- Professional attitude with a high degree of integrity, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with confidential matters or situations that are stressful to others
- Good commercial awareness and numeracy
- This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or
- qualifications associated with the job. Other duties may be assigned for which the incumbent has the skills and capability to perform.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Walkers global is an equal opportunity employer. Equality and diversity are key to our global identity and an integral part of our goal to continue being an employer of choice. We are committed to a work environment that supports all individuals irrespective of gender, ethnicity, nationality, race, religion, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. We make every effort to ensure that employment opportunities are open and accessible to all purely on the basis of personal ability.
Please note that Walkers will not accept any applications received from agencies at this time. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.