Human Resources Director, South West

*** CUT OFF FOR APPLICATIONS IS 1ST JULY, successful candidates will be invited to an Assessment Day early September

Rare opportunity within a large legal firm for a commercially focused Human Resources Director to lead the People, Learning and Development (PLD) function and to contribute to the Firm’s strategic and operational goals. The Human Resources Director will serve as a key member of the senior management team, working closely with the Managing Partner, Senior Partner, the Functional Directors (Business Development Director, IT and Operations Director and Finance Director) and Key Leaders and Managers within the Business. The Human Resource Director will build firm-wide organisational capability and will be responsible for driving best in class employment practices that help the business to continue to differentiate itself as an employer of choice.

As the Human Resource Director you will report to the Managing Partner and have two direct reports (Head of HR and Learning and Development Manager) and six indirect reports (HR Manager, a HR and Payroll Specialist, HR Administrator, Two Secretarial Managers and a Senior Secretarial Manager). The majority of the PLD team are based in Plymouth and serves Partners and Employees in Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton and Truro. Collectively, the team is responsible for HR Business Partnership, Learning and Development and HR Operations. The PLD team is already a key partner in supporting business success but is currently working to increase its pro-activity in terms of its strategic business partnering and organizational development activities. The PLD team is committed to driving the people agenda and developing great talent within the business.

Core responsibilities;

-         Strategy: Lead the development and implementation of and Human Resources strategy to support and advance the achievement of the business goals. Champion the 'people agenda' without compromising the drive for commercial success.

-         Operational Excellence: Manage, continuously improve, and quality assure all human resources operational/delivery systems including: resourcing, compensation, benefits, training, development, employee relations, compliance, reporting and HRIS. Maintain and continuously improve regulatory compliance, monitoring and reporting for all employment policies and legislative requirements, and ensure effective governance process is in place to maintain high standards and rigour.

-         HR Policy: Develop HR policies aligned with the business strategy and reinforce the corporate values. Ensure that all HR policies and practices are regularly benchmarked against key competitors and ‘best in class’; develop and implement policies to maintain our competitive position.

-         Resourcing the Business: Develop a comprehensive resourcing strategy to match the business’ current and forecast talent demands with a high caliber supply of resource. Develop and implement effective employee retention strategies to secure our talent.

-         Learning and Development: Proactively develop effective training and development programmes and processes to deliver organisational (ie: legal, commercial and leadership etc) capability at all levels within the company. Design, facilitate and execute processes to regularly review the talent pool within the business and to find appropriate ways to ensure that talented employees fulfill their potential. Manage coaching, mentoring, career management and succession plans. Ensure that opportunities to creatively deploy available talent are taken by the senior team.

-         Executive Coaching and Advice: Provide constructive and compelling feedback and coaching to the executive team, and other senior executives, on individual and business performance, personal effectiveness and career management. Counsel and influence at the highest levels.

-         Managing Change: Work collaboratively with the Managing Partner, Partners and Directors serving as a change agent to optimise the business model, and to align the executive team around goals and desired culture.

-         Performance and Reward: Develop reward strategies, covering base pay, incentives, benefits, and recognition programmes, which ensure the business can recruit and retain employees of the highest calibre.

-         Employee Relations: Develop and lead an effective engagement strategy for the business. Act as a resource to management on complex employee relations issues and directly participate in sensitive employee negotiations (compromise agreements etc)

-         HR Team Management: Develop the Human Resources team by providing clear strategic and tactical direction, effective and timely performance feedback, focused coaching and mentoring. Ensure that the team keeps abreast of HR best practice, legal and regulatory changes, and the competition.

-         Organisation Development: Work collaboratively with the senior executive team to optimise the company culture, build effective teams improve employee engagement, and ensure the business benefits from optimal diversity, at every level and location.

About you: You will come from a progressive Human Resources environment and will bring experience and visibility of best employment practices. An outstanding HR Leader with exceptional people skills and a detailed understanding of HR Strategy/Operations/Policy, Staff Resourcing, Learning and Development, Executive Coaching, Change Management, Employee Relations and Benefits. 

·         Minimum MCIPD, ideally an MA in Human Resources Strategic Management.

·         Significant experience of managing and developing an HR Function, especially implementing change and cultural transition in organizations.

·         Highly developed coaching skills and experience of working intimately with leaders at the highest level.

·         Adept at handling complex organizational politics and be sophisticated in your approach to building relationships and facilitating others.

It is desirable for you to have;

·         Knowledge, experience and an appreciation of professional services environments and partnerships

Personal Attributes:

·         Strong negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution skills

·         Must be able to demonstrate gravitas and credibility in dealing with senior stakeholders

·         Able to operate on a strategic and operational level

·         Strong, open & honest communication and interpersonal skills

·         Someone who is energized by challenges

In return you will receive a basic salary of up to £80,000 doe + 25 days holiday, contributory pension scheme, death in service cover, discounted gym membership and childcare vouchers.

Location: Based in Plymouth, with travel to Taunton, Exeter and Truro

Apply: To apply for this Human Resources Director role, please send your CV using the apply button below. Any specific questions you are welcome to call our retained consultant, Michelle Jones directly on 01985 219590 or 07545 079565.

Strictly NO Agencies – We currently have a strict no agency policy regarding this vacancy, as such we politely request that you respect this. We will not accept speculative CVs.