Human Resources Manager

Our Client is a leading Tier 1 law firm advising some of the most sophisticated corporate and institutional clients across [practice areas / geographies]. Our people – partners, lawyers and business services professionals – are central to our reputation for excellence, and we are looking for an HR Manager who understands what it takes to attract, develop and retain talent in a partnership-led professional services environment.
Role Summary
The HR Manager will lead recruitment and HR operations across the firm, acting as a trusted partner to partners, practice heads and business services leaders. The role combines hands-on delivery – hiring lawyers and support staff, running HR operations with precision – with the judgement and discretion required to work with senior stakeholders in a high-performance, high-expectation environment.
Key Responsibilities
Recruitment & Talent Acquisition
Own end-to-end recruitment for lawyers (associates, senior associates, counsel, lateral partners) and business services roles
Partner with practice group heads and partners on workforce planning, hiring needs and succession
Build and manage relationships with executive search firms and legal recruiters; negotiate terms and manage vendor costs
Run lateral hiring processes with discretion, including offer structuring, notice period management and onboarding
HR Operations
Oversee the full employee lifecycle: onboarding, confirmation, transfers, promotions, exits and alumni engagement
Manage HR operations including employee records, HRIS, letters and contracts, background verification and HR documentation
Ensure accuracy, confidentiality and audit-readiness of all HR data and processes
Drive process improvement, automation and HR technology adoption to improve turnaround and employee experience
Prepare regular HR MIS and dashboards for firm leadership (headcount, attrition, time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, utilisation of vendors)
Performance, Development & Engagement
Support the annual performance review, promotion and compensation cycles for lawyers and business services staff
Work with the Learning & Development function on training, mentoring and career-pathing programs
Run engagement initiatives, surveys and retention programs, with particular focus on associate and mid-level lawyer retention
Employee Relations & Compliance
Act as a confidential point of contact for employees and partners on workplace concerns, grievances and conduct matters
Ensure compliance with applicable employment and labour laws, POSH/anti-harassment requirements and internal policies
Draft, review and communicate HR policies and the employee handbook
Team & Stakeholder Management
Lead and develop the HR team, including HR executives and recruiters
Advise the Managing Partner, Executive Committee and practice heads on people matters
Candidate Profile
Essential
8+ years of HR experience
Current or prior experience in a law firm or a consulting / professional services firm (Big 4, strategy or management consulting) – this is a mandatory requirement
Demonstrated, hands-on experience in recruitment (lateral and campus hiring) and HR operations
Experience managing stakeholders at partner / senior leadership level in a partnership or similar model
Strong working knowledge of employment law and HR compliance
Proficiency with HRIS and applicant tracking systems and strong command of Excel / MIS reporting
Bachelor’s degree; MBA / PGDM / Master’s in HR or a related field
Preferred
Prior experience with a Tier 1 / top-ranked law firm
Experience with executive search and lateral partner hiring
Exposure to multi-office or international firm structures
Professional certification (SHRM, CIPD or equivalent)

Work arrangement
No