Global Strategic Head of HR for Practice Groups

Key Responsibilities

• Play an active and highly participative role as a member of the Practice Group leadership team, contributing effectively at the highest level.
• Provide strategic HR support and advice to the Practice Group Leader and partners.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to the Practice Group HR Business Partners, resulting in regular engagement with partners across the Practice Group and take the necessary action to ensure the function is an effective and respected business partner.
• 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.
• Develop and deliver the HR strategy ensuring global alignment across Practice Groups where required and local coordination.
• 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.
• Lead and drive the ongoing collaboration and connection of HR Business Partners, supporting the practice groups on a local basis to support the delivery of the people strategy as one team.
• 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 HR Leadership team, connecting on a regular basis, manage interfaces with HR contacts across the function 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.
• Facilitate effective communication and engagement between the Practice Group and global HR.
• Manage the Global Practice Group HR people budget.

Qualification & Requirements

Essential

• An experienced HR leader who has gained significant exposure to “best practice” HR methodologies
• A considerable number of years HR experience in an international organization in a senior HR leadership position where HR is a respected business partner, contributing on a consultative and participative basis to business success and introducing and embedding best practice
• A strong HR generalist with exposure to organizational and leadership development, succession planning, performance management, compensation & benefits and experience managing sensitive people related matters
• Relevant transformation experience in managing organizational / people change
• Actively explore new ideas and push boundaries; display comfort with risks and has confidence that possibilities are endless.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a track record of effectiveness as a people leader, team player and project leader who gets results.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to and drive results under changing conditions.
• Experience influencing and building credibility with stakeholders across all levels.
• Excellent with 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

Benefits

• Insurance Benefits
• Retirement Benefits
• Vacation Policy
• Other Perks and Benefits…