Department: HR & Learning
Location: Dublin
Job Title: HR Consultant
Hours of work: 9.00am to 5.30pm
Reports to: Head of HR, EMEA
Purpose of the role:
Working closely with the Head of HR EMEA, International HR Advisor (both based in the UK) and
the Management Team in Dublin office, the HR Consultant will provide HR support on all aspects
of people management including delivery of the region’s strategy and delivery of the HR strategy.
The HR consultant will establish and maintain influential relationships with the office leadership
team, ensuring excellent quality and coverage of HR support at all times. The HR Consultant will
also provide coaching, guidance and support on people issues. An ability to influence, challenge
and provide robust views in a supportive manner will be critical for the success of this role.
Main duties and responsibilities
Employee Relations (ER)
- Champion the development of people management skills within the office.
- Work closely with the Head of HR (EMEA) and International HR Advisor to manage exits
in order to advise on and ensure best practice processes are adhered to. - Manage all key ER concepts across the region such as all flexible working requests,
performance management plans, sickness/absence cases, diversity and inclusion,
disciplinary and grievance processes. - Working with the Head of HR (EMEA) and Global Mobility team to manage relocations
and secondments. - Provide advice and guidance to staff and managers on HR matters as required.
Recruitment
- Provide the office with recruitment support, including ensuring all roles have appropriate
job descriptions, the office appropriately supported in recruitment decisions and
recruitment excellence is maintained at all times. - In conjunction with Business Managers and Office Heads, identify and authorise
vacancies, ensuring appropriate resourcing across the office. - Onboarding and Induction of new employees.
- Act as the main HR point of contact for all new starter administration with the support of
HR Shared Services (HRSS), the Payroll team and Workplace Manager. - Establish and maintain a Preferred Supplier list of local recruitment agents for the office
in conjunction with the central recruitment team.
Implementation of strategy
- Challenge, support and add value to the office in pursuit of their objectives and overall
business strategy. - Ensure delivery of the HR Strategy within the office taking into account the priorities and
culture of the office while striving for firm wide consistent practice. - Provide support to the Head of HR, EMEA on all annual HR processes which include
salary review, performance review, Aspire programme and promotions.
Talent Management
In conjunction with the Head of HR, EMEA and International HR Advisor, support the
delivery of the Dublin talent management plan and promotion pipeline.
Support and encourage the process of career mapping for all individuals in the office to
enable informed promotion planning at each promotion round.
Performance Management & Career and Performance Conversations
- Ensure the annual performance review and career pathways process is completed in a
timely and fair manner; facilitate office wide moderation to ensure a robust and consistent
distribution of ratings. - Encourage the pursuit of excellence in performance at all levels.
- Coach and influence managers from a people perspective, developing their people
management/leadership skills and constructively challenging inappropriate
behaviours/actions. - Support disciplinary processes and ensure they are appropriate and are conducted fairly
in accordance with local employment legislation. - Work closely with partners on employee retention and succession planning.
Compensation
- Provide Team Leaders with assistance and guidance in respect of compensation and
incentive planning. - Manage the annual salary review process in conjunction with the Head of HR, EMEA and
International HR Advisor. - Sign off with the office leadership team on all promotions, salary increases and bonuses.
Monitor pay scales against other law firms and salary surveys. - Liaise with the Compensation & Benefits team to ensure employee benefits programmes
are appropriate and cost effective.
Payroll
- Communicate changes to the global payroll team, in line with payment timetables and
reporting requirements. - Checking of the payroll data to ensure accuracy.
- Attending to all payroll queries in conjunction with the payroll team.
Trainees / Newly Qualified (NQ)
- In conjunction with the Graduate Recruitment Team, ensure the smooth running of the
- Graduate Recruitment process and Summer Internship programme which includes
attending law fairs, shortlisting of candidates, organising and facilitating Assessment
Centres and liaison with candidates. - Be primary point of contact for all trainee issues, to include working with the Graduate
Development team on seat moves and trainee allocations; - Assist the Graduate Development team with the coordination of the annual NQ process
for the region.
Induction
- Deliver the HR induction and ensure smooth running of local induction programmes;
- Review progress of new joiners across the designated teams with Partners prior to
confirmation of satisfactory completion of probation periods; - Ensure new starters are integrated into the firm;
- Ensure all new joiners within the region have all the necessary arrangements in place, to
include but not limited to relevant IT equipment, introductions to the team and
familiarisation with the firms policies and procedures, allocating a “buddy” and
departmental know-how; - Integrating lawyers/trainees whilst ensuring they work effectively with Legal PA’s (LPAs),
escalating any concerns to the Head of HR, EMEA and/or International HR Advisor.
Training
Work with central L&D team to ensure that development programmes are relevant to
office needs, promoted accordingly and meet local CPD requirements.- Identify and implement, in conjunction with central L&D, training interventions to meet
office needs. - Promote employee wellness through the EAP.
Commercial Awareness
- Work with the office leadership team in achieving efficiencies through business
improvements. - Demonstrate sound commercial acumen when providing judgements or suggesting
approaches to issues. - Keep up to date on business issues affecting the office and firm in order to understand
their specific opportunities and challenges and provide an efficient and proactive service.
Other
- Analyze and interpret HR Metrics as appropriate to identify issues and develop
improvement plans where necessary; - Keep abreast of the changes in legislation, rules and regulations in Ireland and advise
accordingly; - Working closely with the Head of Office in providing support on all HR matters; provide
regional HR support on projects and initiatives as directed by the Head of HR, EMEA.
Person Specification
Relevant Experience
- Significant HR Generalist experience, ideally 3-5 years
- A sound understanding of labour legislation.
Key Skills
- Proven ability to influence, challenge and provide robust views in a supportive manner.
- Proven ability to gain credibility at all levels quickly and have excellent relationship
management skills. - Communication: Listening, questioning, and conveying ideas, facts and opinions in clear
and understandable terms. - Business Expertise: Understanding the business environment in which the firm operates
and considering the commercial and wider performance implications of decisions and
actions. - Strong listening and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to provide both hands on, operational and strategic level support.
- Ability to assist in development and implementation of office policies in line with global
firm approach.
Personal Qualities / Behaviours
- Professional, calm manner.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills.
- Able to work independently and as part of a global team.
- Willingness to work flexibly and assist in other areas as and when required.
- A good sense of humour.