Versende Legal
HR Manager (Maternity Cover) - Leading Law Firm
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HR Manager (Maternity Cover) - Leading Law Firm
Location: London (Hybrid, minimum 3 days in office)
Salary: Up to £77,000
Contract: Fixed-Term (12 months)
A leading law firm is looking for an experienced HR Manager to cover a period of maternity leave. This is a rare chance to step into a senior, high-visibility role where you will shape people strategy and directly influence the next generation of legal talent.
Sitting at the heart of the HR function, you will get genuine breadth across generalist HR, employee relations, and early careers, all within a fast-paced legal environment where your work is seen and valued.
The Opportunity
You will act as a trusted HR partner to the business, guiding leaders and supporting employees while taking the lead on the firm's trainee and early careers programmes. It is a hands-on role with real influence, well suited to someone who enjoys strategic thinking and the satisfaction of delivering it day to day.
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Key Responsibilities
- Provide proactive, high-quality HR support across the firm
- Act as an escalation point for HR Advisors and junior team members
- Partner with senior stakeholders on employee relations and people strategy
- Support and guide managers on performance, absence, and the wider employee lifecycle
- Oversee HR processes, policies, and compliance
- Manage and develop HR reporting and systems
Trainee and Early Careers Focus
- Lead on Vacation Scheme and Training Contract programmes
- Design and deliver assessment centres
- Manage the trainee lifecycle, including onboarding, seat rotations, and qualification
- Partner with stakeholders to deliver a first-class trainee experience
About You
- CIPD Level 7 qualified, or working towards it
- Proven HR generalist experience within a law firm or legal environment (essential)
- Confident designing and delivering assessment centres, or a strong appetite to learn
- Skilled at managing complex ER issues and advising senior stakeholders
- Highly organised, commercially aware, and detail-focused
- A genuine interest in developing early careers talent
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Additional Details
- Hybrid working, minimum 3 days per week in the London office
- Likely 2-stage interview process, including at least one in-person meeting
- Ideal start date: late June, allowing time for handover before maternity leave in August
- Contract length: 12 months initially, with potential to extend to 14 to 15 months (not guaranteed)
Interested?
If you are an experienced HR professional with a background in legal environments and a passion for developing early careers talent, get in touch to find out more.
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