People Services Systems Senior Manager

The Role 

Job Overview

You will have overall responsibility for ensuring the successful roll out and implementation of the Global HR Tech Roadmap.  Critical to your success will be the ability to build relationships with the Global HR Leadership Team (Chief People Officer, Regional HR Directors and Global Heads of the Communities of Expertise) and partner with them to advise on technical solutions to enable the cost-effective delivery of HR services to the firm and throughout the employee lifecycle.

Solutions must align to our People & Talent Strategy, which underpins the firm's goals to attract, retain and develop exceptional talent.  Whilst our approach is global, we must ensure that our processes and employee experiences are as seamless as possible, driving self-service and optimising automation. 

This role straddles both the Global HR and Global IT functions and you will be working with functional stakeholders as well as solution architects and internal subject matter experts, to continually transform our HR operations globally.

You will have line management responsibility for the People Services Systems Team, ensuring a high level of engagement and performance, fostering their ongoing development, and promoting a mindset of continual improvement.

Who you will work with

You will work closely with the Global Head of People Services Delivery and the Global HR Product Manager.  You will partner with the Global HR leadership, functional business owners, Global HR IT systems, HR Data & Analytics, Risk & Compliance, Data Privacy, and functional business owners, as well as end user groups.

What you will be responsible for

Working within a global team, you will be responsible for the alignment, testing and implementation of new functional HR system processes, with the aim of optimising the end user experience, driving automation and self-service wherever possible.  As a member of our Global HR team, you’ll be promoting our company culture and People Strategy.

What you will do

Business Partnering & Process Improvement

• Partner with Global HR leadership, functional business owners and end users to gather business requirements and translate them into clearly written technical or procedural requirements.

• Proactively look for opportunities to improve processes, procedures and increase efficiencies throughout the employee experience lifecycle.  Globally scalable projects may include data and workflow management, performance and compensation administration, succession planning, onboarding, and learning and development.

• Act as the main point of contact for employee experience improvements and be able to articulate and demonstrate People Services system progression to stakeholders at meetings.

• Develop and deliver a continuous improvement plan for key HR systems and its processes, whilst suggesting opportunities for more significant developments e.g., system upgrades, expanded functionality and automation of manual elements of processes.

• Provide project support to the Global Head of People Services and the Global HR Product Manager.

• Work with the Global Head of People Services to ensure that financial discipline is maintained through regular budgetary oversight.

• Horizon scanning to ensure that advancements in service, technology and employee experience are at the forefront of our decision making.  Identifying future opportunities for implementation that support the People Strategy.

System Management

• Working with the Global HR Product Manager, you will manage relationships with system providers to regularly discuss system improvements and update them on future business needs.

• Define requirements for system integrations and liaise with relevant technical teams to support implementation.

• Document system design and processes for governance, compliance, and general reference.

• Oversee testing, including but not limited to the creation of testing templates, UAT users query resolution and defect tracking.

• Serve as the escalation point for technical HR system matters that cannot be resolved by the Global HR Service Delivery Team.  Working with the Global HR IT Team to ensure timely resolution.

Reporting & Data Management

• Ensure that consideration is given to any possible system changes that may impact the storing, reporting and transfer of employee data.

• Lead the development, introduction, and regular review of a standardised suite of people data reporting templates for use throughout Global HR.

• Work with the Global HR Analytics Team to ensure the distribution of data to internal stakeholders as required, with regular reviews to ensure data sets received continue to best achieve their intended purpose.

• Complete regular audits of system data to support the production of first-class management information for our senior leadership.

Team Management

• Lead and supervise the day-to-day activities of the People Services Systems Team.

• Provide effective and ongoing feedback and support as required.

• Responsible for the team's performance, output, and deliverables.

Your experience 

Skills

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to think strategically and handle non-routine problems, analysis, and decisions.  You will have strong attention to detail with a focus on ensuring data integrity.
• Good system acumen, with the ability to troubleshoot technical issues, as well as develop and implement strategies to address problem areas, with the employee experience at the forefront of solutioning.
• The ability to work in a fast paced and forward-looking organisation which requires pro-active thinkers, with initiative to help advance the People Strategy and the wider objectives of the firm.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with flexible and effective communication skills.  You will be able to communicate complex information to non-specialists.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with a variety of stakeholders across the business, including Global HR leadership and key business functions.
• Comfortable operating in a hybrid working environment with a high level of autonomy within a strategic framework.  Ability to work effectively with remote teams and stakeholders throughout the global network.
• Ability to balance creativity with business pragmatism, understanding what will be acceptable to the firm whilst always looking to optimise the employee experience.

Experience Required 

• You will have previous experience of managing a team, including performance reviews and performance management.

• Previous experience of HRIS systems, including Workday, within a professional services or similar complex, matrix environment is preferred.

• Working experience of Workday, either through implementation or optimisation, with a focus on Talent & Performance, Advanced Compensation and Onboarding is advantageous. Knowledge of additional HR Systems such as Cornerstone on Demand, Smart Recruiters and other platforms supporting interactive systems training (such as Articulate and Camtasia), is preferred.

• Experience with HR Technology systems vendor management.

• Experience or exposure to having implemented or supported SaaS system.

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

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.

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.

Hybrid Working

This role follows our 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way with the expectation of working from the office for a minimum of 50% of your time.

Equal opportunities statement

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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