Lead HR Business Partner - Leeds or Birmingham

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services. If you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

What to expect

For business professionals, our environment is highly collaborative with value being placed on diversity of ideas, skills and mindsets. Not least yours. It’s energetic, fast-moving and there’s always something new to get involved in. You will get exposure across geographies and the firm as a whole. The future is a place of opportunity. Focusing on your success and for what’s next, will ensure you thrive too.

The International Operations Team

International Operations is fundamental to the success of our organisation, with teams working internationally to provide critical business expertise for our lawyers and our business alike.

We offer fulfilling careers across all areas including Finance, IT, Marketing, HR, Compliance and many more areas. These teams are at the core of our organisation and are key to Eversheds Sutherland’s continued success as a top 10 global law firm. Whether you’re starting your career or an established professional we offer a variety of opportunities that allow you to grow in your chosen career. We are proud of our culture and the values that guide our behaviour: Collaborative, Creative, Professional, Inclusive, Open

These key five values underpin everything we do they sit at the heart of our culture, define how we behave, individually and collectively, as we work to deliver on our purpose. We support the learning and development of all our people at Eversheds Sutherland, engaging you at every stage of your career.

The Role

The key purpose of this role is to be a proactive driver of change as a true partner to the Corporate Finance and Commercial Advisory practice groups, delivering HR solutions through consultation and partnering with key stakeholders of the business. These groups combined have a revenue of £275 million and sits across the UK, Middle East, Asia and Europe. Collectively they are the largest practice group in the firm and the growth agenda is exciting and will require the support of a senior individual who can manage and juggle the cyclical HR demands with the strategic ambition of the group.

The role will business partner some of our key product group heads and stream leads across the UK and international network, supporting them with setting the strategy for their groups and driving the people agenda forward. This includes attending product group away days and stream lead leadership meetings in the UK to influence and help to shape the people agenda for the group. In addition to leading the cyclical HR activities for example the global employee review, promotions (including promotion to Partner) and budgeting, this role will lead UK and International initiatives across the two groups supporting the HR Director and the Practice Group Heads for the groups.

Importantly, the role will be the deputy for the HR Director for these two practice groups and over time there will be a need to have a Senior HR Business Partner leading these two groups as both groups have growth ambitions. The role will also take the lead on the following key initiatives; running the Partner Development Academy for our pre-partner talent, leading on global mobility within the group, supporting Partners in their first few years of Partnership and driving forward the future of work agenda.

The role will sit alongside two other Lead HR Business Partners in the UK and a number of HR Business Partners across our international offices. The HR Director will lead some of the Partner related activities in these two practice groups including Partner remuneration and banding reviews, practice group Executive meetings and partner performance. The role requires the Lead HRBP for these groups and the HR Director to work collaboratively together to manage the challenges and opportunities that will come as the group grows and works to achieve their strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Working closely with the HR Director to implement key people related strategies and initiatives internationally across the Corporate Finance and Commercial Advisory practice groups
• This role will be part of the business support (IO) leadership meetings for Corporate Finance and Commercial Advisory
• Lead on complex ER issues across all jurisdictions, making decisions and being accountable for settlement discussions
• Leading on employee retention and attraction strategies and packages, working closely with the recruitment team to guide and support the HR Business Partners
• Lead practice group development programmes including the CCPG Development Academy for our partner potential, and the new Partner away day
• Build trusted relationships with our pre-partner talent and coach and support them as they develop as Partners
• Lateral Partner integration
• Provide specialist strategic people advice, coaching and guidance to all those that need guidance and support
• Influencing and project managing key business strategies and initiatives
• Delivering performance management, budgeting, workforce planning, project and change management
• Manage headcount to budget and in line with workforce planning, challenging where appropriate to ensure profitability
• Exploring and challenging team structures to improve efficiency and effectiveness
• Shaping the capabilities of the HR function to support changing business needs

Skills and experience

We are looking for:

• Well-developed commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to contribute to the wider business and HR agenda, understanding the key business strategy, the challenges they face and how HR can support
• A range of influencing skills, personal impact and communication skills that will ensure success and command instant credibility at all levels of the firm
• Development of HR business partners through a combination of coaching and leading by example. Ability to lead and inspire teams
• Organised approach to work, with the ability to lead and juggle project work alongside BAU activities
• Proven aptitude in strategic thinking, thought leadership and innovative ideas to support the development of the people strategies, priorities and plans
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, in an autonomous and independent way
• Familiar with working within a complex, matrixed, international environment
• Using data and analytics to solve strategic people and organisation challenges

Key Competencies

• Is competent in the use of information systems and possesses sound project management skills
• Ability to challenge constructively across all levels of the business, combined with high levels of resilience
• A lively, energetic and strong personality with ambition and a practical can-do mentality
• Exposure to organisational development and change management
• Track record of coaching, motivating and influencing at a senior level using pragmatic approach
• Experience of managing a team
• A good understanding and practical experience of complex ER and L&D delivery

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We’re fair, transparent and equitable
• We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working
• We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure
• We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement
• We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.