Clifford Chance
HR Business Partner - Fixed Term Contract to October 2027
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HR Business Partner
Global Law Firm Role – October 2026 (Flexible 4/5-day working week)
About Clifford Chance
As a global law firm, our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages—and so do our people.
Our culture is collaborative and inclusive, where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. High performance unlocks equal opportunities for learning, thriving, and growth. We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses across every critical moment. Operating in sectors and regions that matter, we provide forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions.
You’ll build connections, work with colleagues as one global team, and unlock opportunities across borders, cultures, legal, and commercial fields. Join us to empower your team and drive advantage for our clients.
Joint Description
Start Date & Flexibility
- Ideal start date: October 2026
- Flexible working: We welcome applications from candidates seeking either a 4-day or 5-day working week.
The Role
You will partner with the Senior HR Business Partner and relevant stakeholders to deliver strategic people priorities aligned with Clifford Chance’s People and Talent Strategy.
Who You Will Work With
You will collaborate closely with:
- The Senior HR Business Partner
- Members of the wider HR team
- Junior HR Business Partners as a mentor and coach
- Key business stakeholders to build trusted relationships
Core Responsibilities
1. People and Talent Strategy
- Partner with stakeholders to embed firm-wide people priorities, including:
- Aligning regional and global outcomes (e.g., succession planning)
- Working alongside Senior HR Business Partners on key talent processes (e.g., compensation)
- Serve as a trusted advisor, providing guidance on HR-related issues
- Mentor and develop junior HR Business Partners in:
- Implementing policies consistently
- Monitoring the quality and timeliness of activities
- Support regional and global People & Talent strategy projects, as required
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2. Organisational Design
- Assist in implementing structural changes (roles, workforce transitions) in partnership with the Senior HR BP
3. Employee Relations
- Provide guidance for low-risk ER issues, escalating high-risk matters accordingly
- Offer confidential counselling, coaching, and guidance to resolve issues informally
- Support Business Professional staff (up to Director level) and mid-senior Lawyers:
- During parental leave transitions
- On their return from leave
- Advise on ER issues for Business Professional staff and mid-senior level Lawyers
4. Financial & Data Analytics
- Collaborate on headcount forecasting and budget changes aligned with business strategy
- Analyse employee listening data (surveys, exit interviews, focus groups)
5. Talent Management
- Support talent pipeline reviews, identifying key segments and development gaps
- Assist with the 3 Conversations framework to align with performance and reward strategy
6. Career Development
- Identify developmental needs of managers, track progress, and facilitate growth
7. Compensation
- Collaborate with the Reward CoE to execute year-end compensation processes
8. Talent Acquisition
- Lead job description reviews and role mapping
- Onboard new lateral hires and NQs, delivering structured inductions
- Meet new joiners within 2 weeks and at 100-day intervals
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9. Exit Management
- Conduct exit interviews for Exec Managers and mid-senior associates
- Escalate HR/ER-related issues to appropriate teams for resolution
10. Inclusion & Wellbeing
- Embed the firm’s inclusion strategy, contributing to recruitment, retention, and diversity targets
- Enhance wellbeing initiatives, ensuring initiatives align with employee experience priorities
Qualifications & Experience
- Demonstrable track record in developing and implementing HR initiatives that drive business outcomes
- Experience as an HR Manager or Business Partner, preferably in global professional services
- Matrixed/regional HR experience is highly desirable
- Session combining operational + strategic leadership
- Proven ability to influence business leaders and collaborate with executives
- Strong commercial awareness
- Formal HR qualifications (CIPD/equivalent) preferred
Support &Development
- Continuous growth opportunities through:
- Formal training
- Coaching/mentoring
- Skill-based learning
- Balanced hybrid working in line with firm policy
Benefits & Culture
- Access to comprehensive benefits, including:
- Financial
- Wellbeing
- Family support
- A diverse and inclusive environment, where:
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Equality, diversity, and inclusion is core
- Employee networks foster belonging and collaboration
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Interested? Explore our careers site to learn more about what Clifford Chance offers.
(Clifford Chance │ Equal Opportunities)*
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