Head of People and Culture Business Partnering UK (12 month FTC)

Practice Group / Department:

Job Description

Were Norton Rose Fulbright - a global law firm with over 50 offices and 7000 employees worldwide. We provide the worlds preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. At Norton Rose Fulbright our strategy and our culture are closely entwined. We know that our expansion will mean little unless it is underpinned by truly global collaboration and we understand that pioneering work only takes place when our people have room to move and think beyond boundaries. As well as the relevant skills and experience were looking for people who are innovative commercial and value the work that they do.

The Team

The UK People and Culture Business Partnering team consists of five People & Culture Business Partners (Business Partners) across London and Newcastle. Three Business Partners support each of our three practice groups and oversee EMEA strategic priorities for their client groups. Two Business Partners support our Business Services functions in the UK. The wider Business Partnering team consists of a Head of People & Culture - Europe Head of People & Culture - Middle East and Head of People and Culture - Asia.

Business Partners work closely with our wider team and centers of excellence including Employee Relations Partner Performance & Development Talent Resource Management Recruitment Reward & Benefits Data & Systems and Diversity Equity and Inclusion. The UK team is further supported by the People Experience team (Advisors and Assistants) based in Newcastle.

The Role

The Head of People and Culture Business Partnering (UK) reports to the Director of People and Culture Business Partnering (EMEA) and will have responsibility for leading the five UK based Business Partner team who will report directly into this role.

The role holder will work closely with Heads of for Europe Middle East and Asia and our Head of Employee Relations (EMEA) to ensure that we are taking a strategically aligned approach to Business Partnering across the region.

They will work closely with the EMEA People & Culture leadership team to input into the development of priorities and initiatives which align with our business goals and which ensure our continuous improvement and development as a function and as a department.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Responsibility for the day-to-day leadership engagement and development of the Business Partners; including setting and reviewing performance objectives on a regular basis as well as providing and seeking regular feedback.
• Set the teams strategic priorities and provide clear direction
• Provide visible leadership with regular in-person office presence and where the business and team require.
• Responsibility for ensuring the team deliver a high quality operational and strategic Business Partnering service to stakeholders and clients.
• Ensure the teams work effectively and collaboratively with our centers of excellence colleagues across the region and wider business support departments in line with our one firm approach.
• Allocate projects to the team aligned with firm requirements skillsets and capacity to support their development.
• Oversee projects and provide input where required ensuring projects are delivered on time and on budget.

Business Partnering

• Positioning the team as a commercial and strategic business partnering function contribute to business planning and strategic discussions.
• Work with the Director of People & Culture Business Partnering (EMEA) and the wider People & Culture Leadership team to input into and shape the departments priorities.
• Work closely with relevant stakeholders inside and outside of People & Culture to ensure that we deliver high-quality relevant commercial and where required tailored business solutions and support.
• Aim for consistency of our business partnering service across the UK and EMEA region by working alongside and collaborating effectively with peers and centers of excellence and ensuring activity is aligned to strategic goals.
• A strong data driven approach is required using data and insights to guide priorities influence stakeholders analyse workforce trends and develop solutions where issues are emerging that need action directly or through our business partners.
• Ensure our DE&I principles are embedded in the culture of the team and business and in our approach and initiatives (e.g. talent succession)
• Ensure we have robust people plans across our different business units aligned with firm strategy and tailored for our stakeholders.
• Develop and sustain strong business relationships with key stakeholders including business leaders (e.g. Chiefs/Directors) and PGLs and Team Leaders be a trusted advisor and point of escalation where required for the team and the business.
• Coach and support Partners and Heads of Department in their development of people management and leadership skills ensuring that the Business Partners develop those same capabilities.
• Work with key stakeholders and the wider business to ensure initiatives and solutions have full support ahead of implementation.
• Challenge ways of working and propose new ideas that may lead to better strategic decisions and efficient service delivery.
• Influence and support change management across the firm taking the lead where required with change programs.
• Work with centers of excellence and the Business Partners to further strengthen relationships. Embed ways of working to enhance service delivery.
• In conjunction with our Head of Employee Relations ensure you are up to date with UK employment legislation in order to manage any escalations or queries appropriately and in a commercial and pragmatic way.

Wider responsibilities

• Work closely with the Head of People Experience to ensure that our People Experience team have the right skillset and knowledge to effectively support the business partners and to enable them to focus on strategic activities. This includes but is not limited to supporting with identifying skills gaps regular two-way feedback between teams suggesting and implementing process improvements and training.
• Proactively suggest lead and/or contribute to wider project work - in collaboration with centers of excellence.
• Stay up to date with current trends local and international networks (internal and external) to share knowledge as well as maintain personal professional development.

Skills and Experience Required

• Proven People & Culture experience ideally within a partnership environment and in a multi-jurisdictional organisation
• Proven experience of leading people teams setting direction and priorities motivating and engaging teams in a high-performance environment
• Very strong data literacy able to use and analyse data to define priorities support initiatives drive change and influence
• Highly experienced in building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders; ability to influence
• Commercially astute
• Proactive agile and flexible
• Demonstrable experience of delivering change initiatives
• Effective consulting skills
• Strong project management skills and deliver results in a timely and efficient fashion
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to inspire confidence and respect at all levels
• Flexible in thinking and approach

Diversity Equity and Inclusion

To attract the best people we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work have a sense of belonging and realize their full career potential.
Our new enabled work model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our peoples health and overall wellbeing. Find more about Diversity Equity and Inclusionhere.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We strive to create an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any tailored adjustments or accommodations please let us know here.