Global HR Operations Lead

Job Overview

The HR function helps to build the Firm's sustainable competitive advantage through the selection and development of top talent that possess capabilities that help differentiate the Firm from its competitors and to create a steady, self-renewing stream of leaders of the future.

The Global HR function works closely with local and global management, supporting the Firm's people strategy through a number of key activities which cover the attraction, retention and development of our people, and leading Global HR Operations. Their remit covers, but is not limited to the areas of recruitment, succession planning, talent management, engagement, change management, organizational and performance management, leadership development, career structures, training and learning

Who you will work with

The Global HR team is looking for a Global HR Operations Lead to operate and maintain the Global HR Operations team with a particular focus on HR Workday Operations, HR Core Operations & Recruitment Support Operations.  In this role, you will work closely and directly with the Global Head of HR Operations, Reporting & Analytics and Global HR leadership to help develop, operationalize and advance the firm's People Strategy and modernise people practices.

What you will be responsible for

You will need to be strategic and facilitative, requiring focus, flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to play an active, behind-the-scenes role.

You will need to be highly resourceful with solid emotional intelligence, motivation, and analytical skills. You will report directly to the Global Head of HR Operations, Reporting & Analytics based in Delhi

What you will do

Key to the role will be leading and managing the global HR Operations function, with a particular focus on HR Workday Operations, HR Core Operations & Recruitment Support Operations. You will ensure the efficient, compliant, and high-quality delivery of HR services across the employee lifecycle, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement. This position plays a key role in driving digital HR transformation, process standardisation, data governance, compliance, automation, and service delivery performance.  The role partners closely with Global HR Leadership to enable and scale the Firm’s People Strategy and modernise people practices across jurisdictions.

Global HR Service Delivery Leadership

• Lead and manage global HR service delivery across the full employee lifecycle, ensuring a seamless and consistent employee experience.
• Define, monitor and govern SLAs, KPIs and the HR service catalogue to ensure clarity, accountability and measurable performance.
• Drive operational excellence, efficiency and standardisation across regions while maintaining high‑quality service delivery.

HR Technology, Data & Automation

• Oversee Workday operations, ongoing enhancements, integrations and system optimisation to support evolving business needs.
• Lead HR digital transformation and automation initiatives to simplify processes, reduce manual effort and enable data‑driven decision‑making.
• Ensure strong HR data governance, accuracy, compliance and global data privacy adherence across all HR systems.

Global Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain global HR SOPs, process maps and standards to ensure consistency and clarity across markets.
• Partner with global and local teams to drive end‑to‑end process improvements and remove operational inefficiencies.
• Lead global change adoption initiatives, balancing standardisation with local regulatory and cultural considerations.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead multi‑location HR Operations teams, focusing on capability building, performance management and succession planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence and continuous improvement across all teams.
• Coach and support team leaders to deliver reliable, high‑quality operational outcomes.

Strategic Partnership & Advisory Support

• Partner with the Global HR Leadership to implement and enable the firm’s People Strategy.
• Provide insight‑driven recommendations, analysis and facilitation support on key HR initiatives and decisions.
• Build strong relationships across a complex, matrixed organisation to enable alignment and collaboration.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Oversee HR operational compliance, audit readiness and adherence to global data privacy regulations.
• Manage risks and internal controls across HR Operations, ensuring issues are promptly identified, escalated and resolved.
• Maintain strong governance and performance oversight of third‑party vendors supporting HR Operations.

Operational activities

• Ensuring that contacts, leads and projects developed and initiated by the Global HR Leadership Team are followed through, embedded and that progress is made and reported upon;
• Participating in strategic initiatives and reporting results back for the HR Leadership Team;
• Organising and gathering information from various teams within the function and reporting the information along with recommendations to the Global Head of HR Operations;
• Assisting in determining key meeting agenda items, and shaping the information presented and decisions to be taken;
• Promote operational excellence and focus within the HR Function by identifying opportunities to create efficiency, remove obstacles, and outline high-impact opportunities;
• Streamline processes with various stakeholders on projects and commitments from the HR CoE Heads;
• Identify issues that could impact the successful realization of HR Leadership commitments.

Advisory duties

• Conducting regular monitoring and analysis of industry trends and best practice through networking, contacts and research;
• Providing research, advice and facilitation on strategic direction and industry trends;
• Work with various other business professional functions team members across the network to coordinate activity, ensure priorities are aligned and other teams outside of the function who need to be involved are updated on global HR initiatives and priorities;
• Provide counsel on messaging and positioning for Global HR communications;
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the HOD and HR Leadership Team;
   

Your career experience so far

The successful candidate should have:

• a flexible approach and a willingness to perform varying duties depending on the shifting needs of the firm, as it is the nature of this role that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances, unpredictable and varied;
• a resilient and robust approach, with the ability to influence, challenge, and support, persuade and negotiate at all levels.

Desired experience and qualifications:

• Experience or strong understanding of Human Resources, structure, theories and best practice.
• Experience acting in an advisory or lead operational delivery role within professional services is desired.
• Strong demonstrable track record of leading a team or function in a professional services organisation:
  • commercial operational experience – understanding and experience of working on projects across a matrixed organisation would be ideal;
  • operational leadership and management, the successful candidate will be delivery focused and capable of delivering change and progression;
• The successful candidate will be a graduate, ideally with a professional qualification, and MBA would be desirable.
• 10+ years of experience in Consulting, finance, communications, or strategy in a fast-paced environment.
• 5+ years of experience working with C-level executives directly on driving their initiatives.

Excellent strategic thinking and judgement

• Experienced in providing solutions to often complex issues, and you will thrive on problem solving and unpicking complex issues relating to the pull between resources and priorities;
• Able to set challenging but realizable strategic goals;
• Good judgement and a skill in identification and prioritisation of added value and strategic tasks;
• Strong analytical skills both in critical thinking and verbal and numerical reasoning;

Communication and presentation skills:

• Excellent communication skills with proven experience of building and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• An accomplished presenter, with the ability to synthesis and summarize the salient points of a project or initiative;
• The ability to deliver clear and impartial strategic advice in a consultative manner;
• The intellectual rigour and insight to be credible with groups of partners;
• Strong listening skills.

Leadership and relationship building and networking skills:

• The ability to work effectively and co-operatively with senior stakeholders, across borders and in a matrixed organisation, is vital;
• The ability to build strong working relationships with senior management;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and limitations of the firm.

Organisation and time management skills:

• Highly organised and structured approach to tasks; whilst able to balance long term, medium term and short term priorities;
• Capability to prioritise and manage both proactive and reactive tasks and requirements;
• Ability to organise support and to delegate effectively;
• Ability to manage multiple projects at a time with different clients, making pragmatic and practical decisions about how initiatives should be implemented;
• Ability to work in an international, regional and local contexts and address issues at those levels

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.
 

Who we are 

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. Where performing to your highest ability, unlocks equal access to opportunities to learn, thrive and grow. 

We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses, across every critical moment.

We operate in the sectors and regions that matter to our clients. With forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions that combine deep knowledge of their sectors and markets.

You’ll build connections and work with colleagues as one global team. You’ll unlock opportunities for clients, across borders, cultures, legal and commercial disciplines.

Join us to work with colleagues as one global team – empowering each other to be exceptional and create advantage for our clients.

Our India team is a well-established and integral part of the firm’s global operations, delivering high-value support across a wide spectrum of functions. With over 800 business professionals based in Gurugram and Hyderabad, we’ve been driving operational excellence and innovation for more than 15 years.

We contribute to global success in areas such as Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, Risk & Compliance, Legal Support, Research & Knowledge, Document Production, Virtual Executive Assistance, Programme Management, Client & Market Development, and Continuous Improvement.
 

Equal opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we forge an inclusive culture, where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. It’s a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities to thrive and succeed. We are guided by our values-based Code, which sets high standards of conduct and has a principle focused on being inclusive.

We comply with the law and regulations in every location where we operate and we are committed to delivering fair and equal access to all applicants and employees irrespective of background. This applies across all aspects of employment from recruitment and selection to development, progression, and day-to-day working life.  

Our global network of affinity, faith and support groups are open to all. These communities help to create an environment where everyone at the firm can feel they belong and can reach their full potential.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here