Senior Manager of Human Resources - Europe

Cooley is seeking a Senior Manager of Human Resources Europe to join the London Human Resources team.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Senior Manager of Human Resources Europe is responsible for aiding in the development of HR strategy and carrying out that strategy in line with the firms business goals for our European offices. This will be achieved through the design and implementation of HR policies practices and initiatives across all areas of people management. The Senior Manager of Human Resources Europe holds a generalist role within assigned practice groups and has a focus on the specialist areas of Employee Relations Mobility Compliance H&S DE&I and Transformation. Responsible for but not limited to the following:

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

SUPERVISION & MANAGEMENT

• Serve as a coach and mentor to the UKbased HR team and support local office managers in European with employee relations matters

• Conduct performance analysis and performance appraisals for direct report

• Design develop implement and manage the HR plans for the team and look for ways to continuously enhance the services the team provides

• Act as the deputy for the Director of Human Resources Europe during absence

• Represent the HR Team at groups or committees as required

• Collaborate with the Director of Human Resources to ensure that the HR Team continues to be held in positive regard within the Firm

• Partner with decision makers and key stakeholders as required on HR strategies

• Assist in design development and implementation of HR structures policies and procedures for new European office openings.

• Review and approve documentation produced by the HR team

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

• Responsible for managing all employee relations activity in Europe and providing expert HR advice to various stakeholders

• Provide businessfocused solutions to enhance working arrangements and productivity

• Offer advice guidance and coaching to managers on best practice application and implementation of HR policies and procedures within assigned practice groups

• Advise on change activities including TUPE and redundancy to minimise risk and ensure smooth transition within timescales engaging with relevant restructuring

• Manage flexible working requests within assigned practice groups meeting with employees and line managers to agree any changes or provide advice on firm policy and procedures

• Oversee employee relations processes to ensure consistency and fairness in application and take the lead or escalate where issues persist

• Advise and support any statutory consultation relationship to foster good employee relations and/or legal compliance

• Coordinate occupational health referrals and risk assessments where necessary complete any supporting paperwork and meet with employees to discuss findings and any recommendations.

• Review and maintain all ER documentation and templates to ensure it remains current.

MOBILITY

• Collaborate with the USbased Director of Human Resources and Global Mobility & Immigration Services Manager to manage daily administration of various immigration situations including those seconded or transferred within the Cooley network to or from London or European offices and those needing to work outside their home location.

• Oversee the daily administration of all new hires where there are potential immigration requirements

• Maintain and audit the firms Sponsor Management System

• Assist with ongoing assignment payroll administration

• Design and maintain process documentation for the London mobility programme

• Facilitate the administration of Short Term Business reporting duties

• Provide advice and expertise on all local relocation coordination securing certificates of coverage and taxable payment collections

• Work with Immigration experts on visa applications for new hires international assignment permanent transfer extended business trips and new hires

• Coordinate tax equalisation settlements payments and collections

• Design and prepare management reports to support the administration of the mobility programme

• Manage the local relocation process for employees and provide advice on global mobility policy allowances best practice and compliance

• Review suitable accommodation for transfers

• Negotiate terms with Mobility vendors as required

• Design and maintain Londons intranet Mobility page

• Develop and maintain in depth knowledge of latest legislation Home Office guidance emerging trends and best practices in immigrations expatriate and relocation management and administration

• Ensure all London employees maintain a Right to work status record visa expiry dates and coordinate follow up meetings as necessary

• Instruct and conduct tender review of external immigration experts as necessary

COMPLIANCE

• Collaborate with the Director of Risk and Compliance Asia/Europe to ensure annual audits and regulatory requirements are being met

• Protect and transparently use of employee personal data ensuring all data processing complies with the firms data protection/privacy guidelines and relevant UK legislation such as GDPR

• Ensure compliance with the working time directive

• Assist in managing all tax compliance programs and support tax preparation services

• Fulfil obligations to agency staff casual staff selfemployed contractors including contracts rights benefits payments and IR35 obligations

• Ensure the firm meets its reporting duties e.g. Gender Pay Gap Diversity Shortterm Visitor Sponsor License duties

• Assist the Director of Human Resource Europe in an annual review of the London Policies and Procedures Manual coordinating with the Director of Employee Relations & Staff Development on edits

• Review any discrepancies or flags raised by the Firms background screening provider ensuring a consistent approach and escalating when necessary

• Vet vendors thoroughly and ensure relevant MNDA and agreements are in place

• Train and inform employees about key policies to avoid reputational and financial risk e.g. sending reminders of updated and key policies reinforce social media policies.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

• Collaborate with the Regional Director Europe and the Senior Facilities and Office Services Manager Europe on health and safety (H&S) concerns including corporate safety health and wellbeing procedures and risk assessments. Ensure staff are properly set up and have the necessary equipment such as accommodations for nursing mothers and employees with disabilities illnesses or injuries.

• Understand and manage the HR health and safety responsibilities of the London office.

• Implement and promote personnel management policies to ensure all employees are aware of their responsibilities.

• Establish effective methods for meeting health and safety responsibilities.

• Ensure employees adhere to health and safety responsibilities as outlined in organisational policies and programmes.

• Monitor accidents and incidents conduct investigations and advise on measures to prevent recurrence.

TRANSFORMATION

• Coordinate with the firms Director of Employee Relations & Staff Development to research digital initiatives and collaborate with USbased CN HR management on timing to ensure a consistent firmwide adaptation where feasible.

• Promote digital literacy and creativity such as enhancing the HR presentation experience.

• Simplify the consumption and delivery of HR services at the individual level.

• Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure all people change needs are agreed upon and delivered.

• Support the Director of Human Resources Europe in delivering people change initiatives across the firm such as organisational design restructuring and TUPE transfers ensuring effective collaboration between decisionmakers and key stakeholders to meet timescales.

• Foster team development and leadership capabilities to support future business needs across all lines of business.

• Promote the organisations culture and values.

• Ensure the development and achievement of service level agreements identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and report on service delivery.

GENERALIST HR

• Collaborate with the Firms DE&I team as directed to assist in delivering the Firms Diversity and Inclusion plans including responding to DE&I Charter and SRA requirements and completing diversity surveys as required.

• Oversee annual reporting and HR analytics providing guidance and direction to the Human Resources team as needed.

• Address all HR requirements specific to allocated practice groups or assigned areas of specialism.

• Continuously review HR processes and make recommendations for improvements.

• Manage projects through the full project management cycle from scoping to implementation and evaluation.

• Research develop recommend and implement HR policies and procedures.

• Work closely with USbased CN HR team members to ensure a consistent global HR strategy where feasible.

This job description is not exhaustive and the job holder may be required to undertake additional duties from time to time to ensure the smooth running of the department.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent in Human Resources or related field

• CIPD qualified

• 5 years of professional human resources management experience ideally with a direct experience of a partnership or professional services environment including two years in employee relations or its equivalent through training education and other experience

• Solid working knowledge of the principles and practices of employee relations and HR best practice

• Indepth knowledge and application of employment law and regulations and ACAS guidelines

• Strong leadership and supervisory experience

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Excellent Microsoft Word Excel and PowerPoint skills

• Some travel required.

PREFERRED:

• Experience of using Workday or similar HR software

• Knowledge of compensation and benefits administration

• Knowledge of learning methodologies

• Understanding of compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Home Office Sponsorship

• duties SRA etc.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Communicates effectively providing clear and direct guidance and addressing challenging issues candidly and constructively.

• Demonstrates technical and professional subject matter expertise.

• Balances various stakeholder goals with the need for excellence scalability and efficiency.

• Exhibits strong leadership qualities.

• Contributes to professional development by teaching coaching and mentoring others.

• Exercises sound judgment in responding to shifting priorities.

• Ensures deliverables and outcomes meet client expectations and are within project scope.

• Actively enhances professional networks both internally and externally.

• Inspires teamwork and effectively motivates individuals to achieve goals.

• Possesses excellent literacy numeracy accuracy and attention to detail skills.

• Handles confidential situations with tact diplomacy and discretion.

Cooley offers an excellent benefits package and competitive compensation including:

• Enhanced family leave

• Health and dental insurance

• Group income protection

• Life assurance

• Pension

• Fertility benefits

• Wellness programs

• Employee discounts including a fitness and nutrition allowance

• And more!

A comprehensive benefits brochure will be provided to all candidates during the interview process.

Hybrid Working
As part of the Cooley culture we recognise and appreciate the value of being together in person to build comradery with others in the office and to be a contributing member of the Cooley office. However we also appreciate the benefits and flexibility that come from remote working. This role follows our hybrid working approach which supports our business professional staff to work in a hybrid way with the expectation that you are required to have some inoffice presence and some work from home days. The office presence requirement is very much dependant on the department needs and the business needs which are subject to change at any time.

Our Values
We are the counselors strategists and advocates for today and tomorrows leaders of the business economy. We seek to meet the evolving needs of our clients by building a community of professionals of the highest caliber who share our vision and embrace our values.

• We do not compromise on quality;

• We are one firm;

• We are ethical fair and honest;

• We take pride in the firm and its reputation;

• We value diversity

• We give to our communities;

• We strive for balance in our lives.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Diversity is embedded in Cooleys culture. We are dedicated to maintaining a truly diverse workplace that values and celebrates differences. We strive to create an inclusive and rewarding environment that allows our people to thrive both professionally and personally. At Cooley we lead by example. For us workplace diversity means offering all employees the tools training and mentoring they need to succeed. It means embracing the importance of diversity on our team. It also means looking beyond our four walls fostering community involvement and participation in local and national diversity initiatives. The Firm does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age disability gender reassignment marriage and civil partnership pregnancy and maternity race religion or belief sex sexual orientation. This policy governs all aspects of employment including but not limited to recruitment selection job assignment compensation discipline promotion termination and access to benefits and training. The firm is thus committed to providing a work environment that is free of prohibited discrimination which includes harassment that is based on any legally protected status.

Cooley (UK) LLP is dedicated to making our recruitment practices and candidate interviews inclusive and accessible for everyone. If you have a medical condition disability or are neurodivergent and require reasonable accommodations adjustments or support during your interview process please contact We assure you all requests will be treated with sensitivity and strict confidentiality and they will not affect your potential employment with Cooley (UK) LLP.

Affinity Groups

We have a variety of Affinity Groups which are open to our lawyers and business professionals. To find out more about Cooleys culture please click Here.