Employee Relations Manager – 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Baker & McKenzie Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
Employee Relations Manager – 12 Month Fixed Term Contract Description

To be part of a successful Human Resources Business Partnering (HRBP) team, collectively delivering an excellent level of operational client service to the Firm. The role-holder will be working alongside the London Talent and Risk teams, responsible for providing the firm with commercial employee relations advice whilst effectively managing risk for the firm, and supporting delivery of the Firm’s strategic people priorities. The individual will provide a responsive, commercial, and solutions-focused approach.

The London HR Talent team comprises the Director of Talent Management, two Senior HRBPs, 3.4 HRBPs, 2.6 HR Officers, and two HR Coordinators. The role-holder will work collaboratively with Talent team colleagues, the wider People team, Partners and line managers.

Main responsibilities

• Act as a trusted adviser, working with Partners, managers and HR Business Partners across the London office to provide strategic advice and solutions, enabling the firm to navigate sensitive and business critical employment issues, including complaints and grievances, misconduct and other disciplinary matters, restructures, negotiated employee exits and settlement agreements, complex performance/capability issues and absence management.
• Advise on general employment law queries including (but not limited to) contractual issues, equality legislation, and employment status issues.
• Support the London People and Risk teams, managing any employment-related litigation and liaising with external employment counsel where required.
• Collaborate with the General Counsel & Risk team about the Firm’s regulatory reporting obligations.
• Alongside the London Talent, Risk and Reward teams, develop and implement people policies, guidelines and processes, partnering with internal stakeholders where appropriate, and proactively reviewing these policies in line with ongoing changes and market trends; Advise on the application of policies across the business, ensuring a fair and consistent approach.
• Develop and deliver employment and policy-related training for the Talent function (and wider firm, where appropriate).
• Provide support on various local, regional and global people projects/initiatives.
• Draft and update contracts and other key templates as required.
• Maintain a record of budget expenditure concerning any external legal advisers.
• Collaborate and share knowledge across the People team (locally and regionally) and coaching, mentoring, and motivating more junior members of the Talent team.
• Lead or assist with ad hoc project work.

About the team

Function

The Firm’s People function has responsibility for recruiting, supporting, and developing all of the Firm’s people, including our Partners, Associates, and Business Professionals, working closely with the Firm’s leadership to design and deliver the Firm’s people strategy, building on the Firm’s core commitments to collaboration, excellence, and inclusivity.

You will report to:Director of Talent Management

Your direct reports, if any:N/A

Key relationships:

• The HRBP team and wider People Team, including the Graduate Recruitment and Development, ID&E, Leadership & Learning teams.
• General Counsel and Risk team.
• Partners and line managers.

About the candidate

Technical skills, qualifications and experience

• Experienced employee relations specialist operating at Manager Level. Alternatively, a qualified lawyer with at least two years’ post qualification experience, specialising in employment law, previous in-house experience preferred but not required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Able to inspire trust and respect whilst able to influence and challenge.
• Methodical and thorough with a strong attention to detail. Able to balance pragmatism, empathy, risk and compliance with your advice.
• Able to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences. Can distil a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner.
• Can positively impact those around them, and develop themselves both personally and professionally. Have a strong client service ethos and delivery focus.
• Will act as a subject matter expert in their field.
• Can bring perspective and a constructive approach to high-pressure situations and directs attention to solutions.
• Able to make sound commercial decisions based on a clear understanding of the business.
• A catalyst and leader of change.
• Have a flexible approach to adapt the role to meet current and future business needs.
• A strategic thinker.
• Excellent influencing and presentation skills to establish senior-level credibility.
• Strong client relationship skills, able to manage the diversity of multiple leader relationships and serve their needs without compromising service levels.
• Able to build rapport at all levels. A motivator and developer of people.
• In-depth working knowledge and understanding of HR legislation, principles, policies and procedures.
• Able to develop solutions to a wide range of highly complex problems, requiring creativity and innovation.
• Strong diagnostic and analytic skills, and able to exercise good judgment.
• Have a collaborative approach, effectively working with others to achieve team success.

Why Join Us?

Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm. Founded in 1949, we advise many of the world’s most dynamic and successful business organisations through our 13,200 people in 74 offices in 45 countries. Yet big does not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest standard. Our culture encourages this – how we work, think and behave in a collaborative and fulfilling way.

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Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

As the first truly global law firm, diversity and inclusion are foundational to our culture and strategic vision.