HR Officer

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 Bristol 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: Real Estate Corporate Services Dispute Resolution and Private Client.

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.

We are currently recruiting for a HR Officer to come and join our friendly team on a full time permanent basis at our centrally located Ipswich office. You will provide expert HR guidance and support to managers and employees and support the effective delivery of HR processes across the firm.

The successful HR Officer will support the HR team as required in relation to day to day running of the HR function including:

• Act as a first point of contact within allocated business areas for HR related queries providing advice and guidance on employee relations performance management absence management and employment law.

• Coach and support line managers in handling complex HR issues ensuring consistency and compliance with firm policies/procedures and best practices.

• Manage own employee relations caseload (with support from HR Manager) including investigations disciplinary grievance and capability matters.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures ensuring they are up to date and aligned with legal requirements and business needs.

• Assist with producing monthly HR data and trends to provide insights and recommendations to the firm.

• Support the delivery of HR projects and initiatives and contribute towards the improvement of processes and procedures as directed by the HR Managers Head of HR and HR Director.

• Collaborate with the wider HR team to ensure a seamless and high-quality HR service across the firm.

• Work closely with the Payroll Officers HR Officers and Administrators to ensure the smooth and timely running of monthly payroll.

• Along with all other members of staff the postholder will also be responsible for ensuring they are aware of and comply with all information security policies of the organisation relevant to their business role; report any actual or potential security breaches; and contribute to risk assessment where required.

• CIPD Level 5 (or working towards) or equivalent experience

• Proven experience in a generalist HR role ideally within a professional services environment

• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex employee relations cases independently

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities

• Proficient in HR systems and confident in producing and interpreting HR metrics

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
• 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

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.