HR Specialist – Early Talent Development – Fixed Term Contract to End of March 2026

This job is with Clifford Chance, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Job Description

Job Overview

You will work closely with the Early Talent Development Manager to ensure an effective service is delivered to the business.

Who you will work with

You will work with the Early Talent Development Manager to manage the Clifford Chance Trainee Solicitor training programme which encompasses the period from when an individual accepts a training contract, through post graduate studies at law school, a two-year development programme and up to and including qualification. This can total around 500 people at any one time.

You will also work closely with the Early Talent Acquisition Manager, the other Early Talent Development Specialists, the Early Talent Development Advisor, Senior HR Business Partners (SHRBPs), Trainee Partners, Trainee Supervisors, Resource Managers, the wider teams within the HR function and our Occupational Health (OH) provider.

What you will be responsible for

You will cover a range of HR activities including, advisory, reporting and execution of many of the HR processes, be it recruitment, employee relations, development, diversity and inclusion as well as ad hoc projects.

What you will do

You will:

Employee Related Transactions

• Manage the onboarding process for trainee cohorts with the assistance of the Early Talent Development Advisor.

• Manage seat change around handover documents for the SHRBPs.

Regular Reports

Analyse:

• regular utilisation and compliance reports for trainee cohorts and work with the resource managers on any necessary interventions.

• regular annual leave reports for trainee cohorts and address any issues.

Performance management & Appraisals

• Conduct career development meetings.

• Act as an escalation point for outstanding appraisal completion for Trainees.

• Review appraisal feedback and build this into career development discussions.

• Build development plans for Trainees with concerning feedback and appraisal scores.

• Manage early intervention flags with supervisors, Trainee Partners and SHRBPs, and build appropriate development plans.

• Work with practice areas on trainee/NQ specific elements of their D&I action plans.

Employee Relations & Sickness Absence Cases

• Advise on any employee relations issues arising (including but not limited to reneges, exam failures, grievance, disciplinary, and sickness absence cases), liaising with the Policy and Employee Relations specialists as appropriate.

• Manage OH cases by initiating OH referrals, working with the Trainee, supervisor and SHRBP to ensure any recommendations from the OH reports are implemented, and subsequent performance monitored.

• Manage return to work interviews.

Seat Allocation

• In partnership with the Early Talent Development Manager, implement the entire seat allocation process, liaising with Trainee Partners, SHRBPs, Global Mobility, Education Managers, Trainees and local offices as appropriate.

Qualification

• In partnership with the Early Talent Development manager, implement the entire qualification process, liaising with Trainee Partners, SHRBPs and Trainees.

Exit Interviews

• Undertake face to face exit interviews with leavers and provide feedback and guidance to the Early Talent Development Manager.

Projects

• Work with the Early Talent Development Manager on ad-hoc projects as and when required.

Qualifications

Your experience

Skills

You will have flexible and effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact and influence people at all levels. You will also demonstrate a proactive approach at all times to improve services.

In addition, you will have the ability to cope with a mixed workload with excellent attention to detail. The ability to deal with a variety of potentially sensitive issues as and when they arise will also be required, as well as a high level of confidentiality.

You will have the confidence and ability to deal with situations where there is conflict.

Experience

It is essential that you will have gained relevant experience in a HR role where you have dealt with aspects of employee absence, performance or other employee relations issues.

Knowledge

You will have good knowledge of HR policy and best practice, and an interest in employment law (working knowledge of employment law is desirable). You will have a good knowledge of D&I and wellbeing best practice. You must demonstrate a strong willingness to develop knowledge in all these areas.

Qualifications
Ideally, you will have a formal HR qualification e.g. CIPD or equivalent.

How we will support you

From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.

Company Description

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm's global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That's why we're so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

You'll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they've reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that's possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you'll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you'll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Hybrid Working

This role follows our 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way with the expectation of working from the office for a minimum of 50% of your time.

Additional Information

Equal opportunities statement

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.

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Location: London, GB

Posted Date: 11/27/2024