Kennedys Hiring for HR Manager Job at Sydney Full Time

The primary purpose of this role is to manage the HR function for the growing Australia offices. This is a strategic, yet hands on, role which focuses on both the planning/organisation but also the day-to-day delivery of the firm’s HR activities.

The position will not only work closely with the partners and management in Australia but also with colleagues in UK and APAC HR who will provide support on administrative and operational tasks, as well as the overall global HR strategy.

Team

Kennedys HR team support the firm with all people related matters. The team in Australia consists of a HR Manager – Recruitment, HR Advisor and a HR Administrator based in Sydney. We have HR presence in five of our global offices as well as a large team based in the UK.

The areas of HR that we have responsibility for are Business Partnering, Recruitment, Reward, HR Systems and Analytics, Learning and Development, Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity and Inclusion.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• To provide advice as appropriate to partners, management and employees on employment law, firm policies and best practice.
• To manage disciplinary, grievance and performance issues in line with firm policy and processes.
• Work with UK/APAC HR to update and ensure policies/procedures are efficient and in line with best practice.
• Proactively keep up to date with current employment law and employment trends.
• To deliver the annual salary review within guidelines agreed with the partners, management and UK HR.
• To ensure performance reviews take place in line with the rest of the firm.
• To manage training in line with UK HR and local CLE requirements.
• To manage and oversee the new joiner process and documentation, regularly reviewing and modifying the process as required.
• To manage all parental leave.
• To manage all flexible working requests in line with statutory requirements, firm policy and business needs.
• To conduct exit interviews and provide feedback to the relevant departments.

Recruitment

• Work closely with the Recruitment Manager and be up to date with knowledge of vacant positions and upcoming joiners.
• Manage the preparation of all relevant offer documentation.
• To provide ongoing external benchmarking and highlight any issues or wider market trends.
• To assist with Graduate Recruitment.
• To assist with experienced hire recruitment from time to time.

Operations

• Work with the UK HR team and management to agree on the design of HRPro, handbook, policies and processes to be rolled out for Australia. This will be ongoing.
• Regularly review core areas of compensation and benefits to ensure they are up to date and provide improvements and suggestions where required.
• To work with the global team and management on the renewal of benefits, including negotiating of supplier rates.
• Be responsible for ensuring payroll are updated of people movements effecting payroll including joiners, leavers and contract changes.
• Oversee the e-personal files ensuring they are maintained in compliance with all legislation.
• Manage the administration process for all salary reviews.
• To assist with project work as required.
• To manage the leave application process and monitor leave balances.
• To manage the Graduate Program in Australia.
• Liaise with and attend calls with the UK based HR team and other international offices as required.

Supervision

• Management and coaching of the generalist HR team in Australia, including the HR Advisor and HR Administrator

Required experience

• Previous generalist HR experience gained at Senior Advisor or Manager Level, gained within professional services or partnership environment.
• Completed or working towards an HR qualification.
• Willing to be hands on and undertake administrative duties, yet also being able to guide the partners at an advisory/strategic level.
• Ability to communicate at all levels with strong organisational skills.
• Highly professional with an ability to forge strong and lasting relationships.
• Committed, enthusiastic and innovative.
• Proven influencing and negotiation skills at senior level.
• Flexible and resilient with strong problem solving skills.
• Ability to work at speed and balance a wide variety of activities at any one time.

About Kennedys

Kennedys is a global law firm with expertise in dispute resolution and advisory services. With over 2,400 people worldwide across 43 offices in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and America we have some of the most respected legal minds in their field.

Our lawyers handle both contentious and non-contentious matters, and provide a range of specialist legal services, for many industry sectors but we have particular expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, especially in defending insurance and liability claims.

We’re a fresh-thinking firm, and we’re not afraid to bring challenging new perspectives to the table way beyond the traditional realm of legal services. We empower our clients with a diverse range of ideas, tools and technology to make their lives easier, as well as delivering exceptional results, every time.

What do we have to offer?

We welcome high-performing lawyers, business services professionals, secretaries, graduates and apprentices to join our rapidly expanding global firm. Whatever your role at Kennedys, you’ll be involved in exciting and stimulating work, where your input will make a difference.

Our culture and values form a big part of who we are and we take them seriously. We make a difference by being approachable,straightforward, supportive and distinctive. Our values are at the core of who we are and what make us a great firm to work with and for.

We develop careers in an innovative and collaborative global environment, with our values at the core. We believe that supporting individual growth and development puts us in the best position to attract and retain talented individuals. Regardless of role or level, everyone has access to virtual learning to help you develop your skills, wherever you are in the world. A variety of other exciting opportunities are available including secondments to clients and our global offices as well as a comprehensive benefits package (details are available upon request).

We’ve created a culture based on client service, professional excellence, hard work and trust. We deeply value the relationships we build with our clients and we know that they value our warm, friendly human approach. We are here to provide answers, recommendations, strategy and tactics.

Kennedys is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. We expect all employees to be aware of and comply with all relevant policies and procedures within their jurisdiction, including those relating to Information Security, Data Protection and Quality Management, refer any breach promptly to Risk & Compliance and to complete all mandatory training when requested.