The Head of HR – Global Transactions will focus on the development and implementation of a progressive people strategy for their Practice Group globally including providing strategic support to the Global Practice Group Leader and Partners and successfully delivering strategic change initiatives. They will take personal responsibility for effecting people and HR function change working closely as a strategic advisor to the Practice Group Leader for all significant people priorities.

• Play an active and highly participative role as a member of the Practice Group leadership, 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 organisational 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 behaviours, encourage respect, modernising the way we work and further supporting progressive working practices trusting the team and colleagues
• Develop and deliver the HR strategy ensuring global alignment across Practice Groups where required and local coordination
• Develop and provide reliable core people data to facilitate effective analysis and insight about the business enabling people decisions to be taken at the right time
• Conduct regular reviews of the staffing model and make recommendations for changes to reflect the future business plans and the need to attract, retain and develop top local and international talent
• Support the internal promotions process for Partnership and Counsel (P&C)
• Facilitate the delivery of an effective performance management approach that drives excellent performance. Coach partners and others in giving effective feedback, including the annual 360 process
• Build relationships with the HR Leadership team, connect on a regular basis, manage interfaces with HR contacts across the function and contribute to 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

• Actively explore new ideas and push boundaries; display comfort with risks and has confidence that possibilities are endless
• Thrive in a collaborative environment and prioritise relationships with colleagues to ensure successful deployment of talent solutions throughout the business
• Passionate, challenge yourself to constantly improve, and share your knowledge to empower others
• A global perspective and a good understanding of the various cultural differences that exist
• Able to demonstrate the ability to work effectively with diverse workforce and provide leadership in organisational transformation
• Strong work ethic: a high energy, highly motivated, team player and leader
• Well-reasoned, logical, and concise communication style, capable of persuading a highly intellectual client base
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines with a flexible and professional approach
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to independently chair meetings/forums and engage senior stakeholders
• Set standards of performance, appraises, evaluates and feeds back effectively, imparting difficult messages courageously and frankly, whilst respecting the collegiate nature of a legal partnership
• Thoughtful, tactful, consultative, and diplomatic, but nevertheless action orientated
• Consultative, with a willingness to listen and ability to communicate effectively on an empathetic but practical level, gaining early buy-in and enthusiasm for ideas and future plans
• A pragmatic modus operandi firmly rooted in the commercial realities of the modern law firm and of the firm’s business objectives
• Natural networking and relationship-building skills, able to work effectively in the people-sensitive environment of a partnership
• An international perspective and a good understanding of the various cultural differences that exist
• Creativity: avoiding being reactive or hidebound by norms, whilst considering the political nuances of a partnership
• A high level of personal integrity and confidentiality

• Qualification in Business or People Management (such as MBA, CIPD, CHRO)
• An experienced HR leader who has gained significant exposure to “best practice” HR methodologies
• A considerable number of years HR experience in an international organisation 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
• Has worked internationally, in different countries
• A strong HR generalist with exposure to organisational and leadership development, succession planning, performance management, compensation & benefits and experience managing sensitive people related matters
• Relevant transformation experience in managing organisational / people change
• 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
• Capacity to effectively initiate relationships and build rapport with senior leadership
• Excellent with written and oral communication, including persuasive negotiation skills
• Fluency in spoken and written English, proficiency in other languages advantageous