We are always looking for talented people to join us. If you are enthusiastic, pragmatic and want to join our friendly team to achieve your full potential, and help others achieve theirs, we would love to hear from you.

Applicants must be able to manage their own caseload and be able to evidence a confident and commercial approach to providing legal advice.

The candidate must have good communication and organisational skills, strong academics and, ideally, come from a background with a firm that has a strong property practice.

The Head of People shall be responsible for developing and implementing high quality HR processes, driving the firm forward as an employer of choice and executing the people strategy to promote a high-performance culture that supports FSP’s business needs and long term strategic goals. This includes the delivery of a comprehensive range of HR services and activities on a long term and day-to-day basis.

The Head of People is responsible for helping to find, develop, motivate and retain the team at FSP. Acting as a champion for the firm’s culture and supporting the partners allowing FSP to continue to grow and evolve. This role is responsible for all HR related activities.

This position is a key strategic role supporting the growth of the business and working to build a unique and strong people-oriented culture at FSP.

Salary of up to £55,000 per annum.

Application process

If you wish to apply for the role, please upload your CV via the link below and give your answers to the two following questions in the message box:

• Why do you want to apply for the role of Head of People at FSP?
• What, as an individual, would you bring to the role?

Applications will be decided by shortlisting and interviews with the HR Partner and Managing Partner.  The candidate will also, as part of the initial interview, be invited to give a 15-minute presentation on their likely priorities and any envisaged challenges in the role.

Role Specification

• Manage and work effectively with the HR team day-to-day.
• Ensure that the HR team functions efficiently and responds promptly to business needs.
• Review, enhance and develop systems and processes to help with the future people strategy of the business.
• Maintain and review the employee benefit programs.
• Review recruitment strategy and efforts, to ensure the firm continues to attract high quality candidates who subscribe to the Firm’s values and ethos.
• Undertaking day to day recruitment requirements, including dealing with recruitment agents and introducers.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, with support from the Firm’s HR Partner.
• Report to the HR Partner, the Operational Board and all partners on HR matters.
• Ensure the training and development programme (including performance review process) continues to develop and enhance the skills of the staff in conjunction with the Firm’s Employee Welfare and Training Manager.
• Help to maintain the Firm’s current Lexcel and Investors in People accreditations.
• Ensure the values and ethos of the firm are communicated, implemented and upheld at all levels.
• Ensure the onboarding and induction programme properly welcomes and integrates new employees.
• Take responsibility for disciplinary, performance and grievance processes, if required, with support from the HR Partner.
• Proactively manage and propose solutions to the HR Partner and Managing Partner on any HR issues that may arise.
• Overall responsibility for employee engagement and productivity.
• Be an advocate of our firm culture and values.
• Provide useful data to help guide decision making and allow the firm to scale effectively and efficiently.
• Provide leadership on people related issues and policies across the firm.
• Be able to communicate at all levels in the firm and to support business development and change.

Qualifications & Experience Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification is preferable.
• CIPD qualified or equivalent experience and evidence of continuous professional development.
• 5+ years (or equivalent experience) in Human Resources.
• Basic knowledge of employment law, including managing disciplinary and performance issues.
• Experience working in a legal or other professional services organisation is preferable.
• Familiarity with HR software and good working knowledge of MS Office.
• Experience in successfully implementing new HR processes and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of HR policies and systems.
• Experience of developing and embedding people-focused strategies to deliver commercial and other business objectives.
• Strategic understanding, and operational delivery of people agendas and best in class practices.

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional communication skills, writing and interpersonal skills, with ability to manage information and data, interpret and present high quality written, oral and numerical information.
• Adept to problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Commercial acumen.
• Hands on and pragmatic approach to get things done, but also vision to scale for the future.
• Ability to work autonomously, take responsibility for own actions and make decisions with minimal direction.
• Highly effective networking, interpersonal and collaboration skills and the ability to establish working relationships.
• Can articulate a clear vision in the day to day delivery of services.
• A strategic and innovative thinker who can translate strategy into operational delivery and project plans, business and commercial goals into a highly engaging and robust people strategy.
• Able to inspire others to deliver great client service.
• Proven ability to build and manage budgets effectively.
• Resilient, determined to positively overcome barriers.

Applicants must be able to manage their own caseload and be able to evidence a confident and commercial approach to providing legal advice.

The candidate must have good communication and organisational skills, strong academics and come from a background with a firm that has a property practice with a strong reputation.

The candidate should:

• be confident and personable;
• have experience of working on corporate transactions;
• have experience of company structures and general corporate matters;
• be willing and able to work as part of a team;
• be able to work under time constraints and take responsibility for their own workload;
• have excellent and concise written and verbal communication skills;
• have a strong technical understanding appropriate for their level of qualification;
• have excellent attention to detail;
• be able to apply their experience to find commercial and practical solutions for our clients;
• show initiative and a willingness to get involved in business development and marketing activities.

The FSP corporate team:

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a well-respected and expanding team with a real mix of work and clients. The corporate team consists of six partners and five solicitors which includes both tax and banking specialists.  The corporate team also draws on support as required from our employment, commercial contracts/IP, commercial property and dispute resolution teams. The team prides itself on its collegiate and supportive ethos and being able to deliver practical solutions to clients which meet their commercial requirements. The team’s core focus is advising owner-managed SMEs but our client basis varies from start-ups through to multi-national organisations.