HR Manager

The Role:

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR Manager to join us in this newly created role dedicated to supporting the firm's 320 partners across 22 offices globally.

This is a stand-alone role reporting directly to the Chief People Officer (CPO). The HR Manager will play a critical role in ensuring the effective integration, development, and management of the partner population, while supporting key processes and initiatives that align with the firm's strategic objectives.

What Will You Do:

• Collaborate with the partner hiring team to focus on the seamless integration of new partners into the firm.
• Provide support to partners who are absent from work due to family leave, sickness, sabbaticals, or other reasons, ensuring a smooth transition and reintegration.
• Assist partners going on secondment to clients or other offices, or transferring between offices, ensuring all logistical and professional needs are met.
• Support the Senior Partner in managing the partner pool, including addressing low performance (e.g., exits), developing plans for high-performing partners and supporting on succession for management roles.
• Manage the exit process for retiring partners, ensuring a professional and structured approach and that all financial, non-financial and restrictive issues are resolved in a timely manner.
• Support the Remuneration Advisory Committee (RAC) process, including planning, communications, preparation of RAC documentation, recording rationale for RAC awards, and developing RAC statements and the RAC Report.
• Support the internal Partner Admission Committee (PAC) process, including planning, preparation of business case and candidate profile documentation, PAC meetings, and offers.
• Provide project support to the Senior and Managing Partner on initiatives aimed at developing a high-performing partner team.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CPO, Senior Partner, and Managing Partner on all matters related to partner HR management.
• Ensure compliance with the Global Members Agreement, employment laws (where appropriate) and regulations across all jurisdictions, with a focus on the unique requirements of the legal sector.
• Drive initiatives that promote partner engagement, development, and retention, aligned with the firm's values and strategic goals.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records for all partner-related processes and decisions.
• Report directly to the CPO, providing regular updates on partner-related HR metrics and initiatives.
• Collaborate with the global HR team and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment and consistency in partner-related processes.

What We Are Looking For:

• Extensive HR experience in a professional services environment – preferably within the legal sector or a partnership model, with a strong understanding of partner-level HR processes.
• Proven expertise in managing complex HR processes – including talent integration, performance management, succession planning, and exit processes.
• Strong project management skills – with the ability to lead and deliver key processes such as the RAC and PAC, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with strategic goals.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills – capable of building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, including partners, the CPO, and other leadership figures.
• A global perspective – with experience working across multiple jurisdictions and an understanding of the challenges and nuances of managing a global partner population.
• A high level of discretion and professionalism – with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with integrity and care
• Strategic thinker – able to align HR initiatives with the firm’s broader business objectives and provide insightful recommendations to senior leadership.
• Collaborative and approachable – fostering strong relationships across the firm and working effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented and organised – ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in managing key processes such as RAC and PAC, while meeting deadlines.
• Resilient and adaptable – capable of managing competing priorities and navigating complex situations with a calm and solution-focused approach.
• Empathetic and supportive – understanding the unique needs of partners and providing tailored support, particularly during challenging times such as absences or transitions.
• Proactive and results-driven – taking ownership of responsibilities and driving initiatives to enhance partner engagement, development, and performance.

Career Level:

The career level assigned to this role is level 4. The career level framework provides a formal structure for the business services functions at the firm. The framework, which ranges from level 1 to level 7, clearly defines the responsibilities, skills and competencies required at each level.

Here At Simmons & Simmons:

Simmons & Simmons is a place where dynamic minds thrive. Our culture is built on work that matters, you will work on inspirational and thought-provoking projects, using your influence to create positive impact for our clients, society and the planet. We also ensure that everyone’s voice is heard from day one, irrespective of job title, qualification, or background. You’ll be encouraged to have an enquiring mind and share ideas that can drive the firm forward. Through innovative learning and development opportunities, you will be provided with a platform to excel, enabling you to exceed your career ambitions and do things you never thought were possible.  

Some Key Information:

• We offer a competitive package including bonuses dependant on role/level, private medical insurance and pension contribution. 
• Our global skills academy provides our people, regardless of their role and location, with excellent learning opportunities (including live workshops, podcasts, short videos and practical learning experiences).  
• We have adopted a hybrid working approach with a requirement for a minimum of three days in the office with flexibility dependant on role/team/client demands.  
• We bring together the best legal advice from our established legal teams with non-traditional capabilities via Simmons & Simmons Solutions that enhance, expand and differentiate the Simmons offering.  
• We are proud to rank as a Stonewall Top Global Employer and a Top 75 Employer for Social Mobility.
• We have a range of social and sports committees, summer and winter parties and monthly get togethers.  
• We have a range of diversity networks to connect people and celebrate our differences which is integral to our inclusive culture.  
• All UK offices have their own artwork collections – including Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin pieces in the London office. We have a long-standing history in supporting the art community especially up-and-coming artists.  
• We have recently introduced a Strategic Advisory Council which is a mix of associates and business services who will propose strategic initiatives that align with our firm's mission and support the delivery of our Business Plan, shaping the future of our next-generation law firm.

Equal Opportunities:

We are committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion within our firm and to ensuring equal employment opportunities. We believe that this commitment creates a vibrant and rewarding work environment. We are therefore committed to: 

• Upholding equal opportunities, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity, marital status, or pregnancy, including maternity and paternity. This commitment extends to addressing any instances of perceived or associative discrimination and harassment. We also ensure fair treatment during recruitment and selection processes for those who are serving or have served in the armed forces, along with their families. 
• Accommodating requests for flexible working arrangements whenever possible. We encourage you to discuss your needs with us if this is something you require. 
• Making our roles accessible to individuals with diverse abilities. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know so we can meet your needs. 
• We offer a range of employee networks to support our colleagues. More information about these networks can be found in the D&I Information booklet that candidates are sent when invited to interview.

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. We are looking for individuals who are passionate and eager to learn and grow with us. Your unique experiences and perspectives could be a great addition to our team.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this position, please contact the Recruitment Team. To apply for the role, click on the link at the bottom of the page or visit our career page for more details.