Head of HR

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The firm
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory.

We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.
The department
The Head of HR is responsible for the Ipswich based HR team consisting of : HR Manager ( x2 ) , HR Office r ( x2 ) , HR Administrator ( x2 ) , Talent Acquisition Manager ( x2 ) , Wellbeing / Occupational Health Nurse.
Purpose of job
As the Head of HR, you will collaborate closely with the HR Director to define and drive Birketts' strategic vision. You will oversee HR operations across all Birketts offices, playing a pivotal role in implementing HR strategies. Your efforts will ensure that HR projects and key people processes adhere to best practices, are executed successfully, and deliver maximum impact. Additionally, you will regularly review these processes to ensure continuous improvement.

You will also be instrumental in shaping the organisation's culture, enhancing employee engagement, and maintaining Birketts as an outstanding place to work.
Accountabilities

• Manage and support the HR Team: Set direction and priorities, actively coaching, developing, and mentoring team members to excel in their roles.

• Serve as a Trusted Advisor: Provide expert advice and guidance to Heads of Division, Partners, team leaders, and the HR team on complex human resource issues, including employee relations and policy application and development.

• Drive Organisational Effectiveness and Engagement Projects: Enhance organisational effectiveness and support engagement and growth through talent acquisition, reward and recognition, performance management and career progression initiatives.

• Manage Annual HR Processes and Initiatives: Lead and develop key HR processes such as the engagement survey, gender pay gap reporting, career progression and promotion, and the salary review process.

• Support Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Efforts: Collaborate with the Chair of the People and Culture Committee to enhance and implement the firm's approach to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Review and Improve HR Systems and Processes: Continuously evaluate and enhance HR systems and processes to ensure maximum compliance, efficiency and effectiveness.

• Develop and Report on relevant HR Metrics and Data: Collect and analyse HR data to inform decision-making, track performance, and identify areas for improvement.

• Lead Merger and Acquisition Activities: Provide HR leadership and expertise during mergers and acquisitions to ensure smooth integration and alignment of HR practices.

Skills

• Relevant degree (e.g., Business, HR, Law) or equivalent experience.
• CIPD qualified or equivalent professional HR qualification.
• Proven experience in a senior HR role, with a strong focus on both strategic and operational aspects.
• Advanced knowledge of employment law, policies, and best practice.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships at all levels of the organisation.
• Expertise in producing and presenting engaging reports to the board and senior leadership team.
• Strong analytical skills to assess and interpret HR metrics and data and use insights to inform HR strategies and decisions.

Equal opportunities
At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays (rising with service up to a maximum of 30 days).
• Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
• Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
• Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
• Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
• Paid CSR Day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Day Policy

https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

*Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.