Human Resources Business Partner

Clifford Chance US LLP is seeking a full-time Human Resources Business Partner to provide strategic HR support to the Litigation and Dispute Resolution (L&DR), Real Estate, and Tax, Pension & Employment (TPE) practice areas. This role combines both operational and strategic responsibilities with exceptional HR client service to the designated practice areas. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a proactive mindset, strong attention to detail, and consistent follow-up, while embodying the qualities of a change agent and utilizing technology to drive efficiency. The position will be based in New York and will report to the Senior Human Resources Business Partner – Americas.

The Role

People and Talent Strategy

• Partner with key stakeholders to embed the firm's people priorities, bringing together outputs of key regional processes, shaping the regional talent agenda (e.g., succession planning) and working with Senior Human Resources Business Partner – Americas and key stakeholders on key talent processes (e.g.  compensation).

• Work closely with other HR departments (e.g., Professional Development/Attorney Development, Talent Acquisition, Benefits, Learning & Development, HRIS) to ensure alignment of HR initiatives and consistency in delivering HR services across the Firm.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to partners and attorneys in designated practice areas, providing strategic support and guidance on HR matters and aligning with the Firm’s overall strategy.

• Drive change initiatives and the strategic direction of HR programs, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of attorneys and the Firm.

• Contribute to the Firm’s people strategy by actively participating in global and regional HR projects aligned with strategic objectives.

• Analyze people data regularly, providing key stakeholders with updates on attorney performance, compensation, engagement, turnover, and other HR metrics; recommend strategies to improve satisfaction, retention, and business performance.

• Collaborate with other regional HR Business Partners to ensure seamless coverage and consistent support across regions

• Stay current with industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices to maintain expertise and ensure compliance with evolving standards.

Employee Relations

• Address employee concerns and resolve workplace conflicts through effective communication, mediation, and conflict management techniques.

• Respond to queries and provide guidance in line with our policies and procedures.

• Support attorneys to and on return from their parental leave.

• Partner with General Counsel to mitigate risks related to attorney employment matters and ensure compliance with firm policies and legal requirements.

• Provide the partners with guidance and support in relation to ER issues.

Exit management

• Conduct exit interviews for relevant business groups and provide feedback and recommendations to stakeholders, offering insights and best practices for continuous improvement.

Talent Management

• Collaborate with Professional Development/Attorney Development to support the region’s attorney review process, ensuring that the 'Three Conversations' appraisal process is effectively delivered, with consistent and accurate feedback. Moderating performance and employment discussions as needed.

• Support key stakeholders through the Three Conversations framework and positively challenge them in order to influence objective and fair performance and reward outcomes that are consistently applied, and which align to the firm's performance and reward strategy.

• Participate in talent pipeline reviews and workforce planning, job requirements and skill gap reviews.

• Contribute to Professional Development/Attorney Development's attorney performance initiatives by escalating both practice area needs and learnings from analysis of data that includes skill assessments, utilization issues and feedback from attorneys, partners and clients.  Recommend relevant training and coaching when needed.

Talent Acquisition

• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition to ensure hiring needs are met, providing support and coaching during the onboarding process to ensure a seamless and successful transition for new hires.

• Partner with key stakeholders, including Practice Area Management and Finance, to assess business needs for new and amended roles and ensure that utilization goals are met.

• Meet all new lateral joiners in their first month, and then again at the end of their first 100 days.

Wellbeing and People Experience

• Work with the Senior Human Resources Business Partner – Americas to embed the wellbeing and people experience objectives and action plans for business.

• Proactively build knowledge and understanding of the Wellbeing strategy, enablers and priorities in order to speak confidently and competently.

• Frequently engage in a wide range of employee listening methods to identify key themes and inform timely solutions to protect and enhance people's wellbeing.

Financial Management, Risk, Data and Analytics

• Work with Senior Human Resources Business Partner – Americas and key stakeholders to determine headcount forecasting and budget changes aligning to business plan and strategy.

• Assist Senior Human Resources Business Partner – Americas to collate and provide an initial analysis on sources of employee listening data from across the firm, e.g. people survey, exit data, etc.

• Perform additional assignments as directed by the Senior HR Business Partner – Americas and/or Director of Human Resources – Americas.

Your Experience

• 5+ years of related Human Resources experience in a law firm experience required; proven experience in supporting attorney-client groups or similar.

• Bachelor's Degree in HR, Business Administration or a related field required.

• SHRM/HRCI Certification strongly preferred.

• Strong consultative skills and the ability to serve as a trusted advisor with a client-focused mindset.

• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize competing demands to meet deadlines.

• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with appropriate discretion.

• Strategic thinker and problem solver.

• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced and growing environment.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Facility in making effective decisions using sound judgment.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively and maintain strong internal working relationships.

• Must be proactive and possess excellent organizational skills.

• Strong proficiency in MS Office, HR software and tools (HRIS systems, performance management tools) and the ability to pick up new technology and applications quickly.

• Ability to work outside the core business hours as needed.

• Must be able to adhere and comply with the Firm's Agile Working Policy which requires employees to work from the office at least three days each calendar week.

• Must be independently legally authorized to work in the United States.

Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this role is $110-140k. Actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Equal Opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society. 

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here

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