HR Manager (Maternity Cover)

Salary: Up to £77,000 DOE + benefits

London | Hybrid (3 days office)

Mon–Fri | 9am–5:30pm

We’re seeking an experienced HR Manager with HR experience within a law firm to provide proactive, high‑quality HR generalist support across a professional services environment during a maternity cover period. This role is ideal for someone with strong legal‑sector HR experience, particularly around trainee recruitment, training contracts, and SRA compliance.

The Role (Abbreviated Overview)

You will deliver full HR lifecycle support, partnering with senior stakeholders and leading on trainee development. Key areas include:

Generalist HR Support

• Provide consistent HR advice across the firm
• Support ER matters, absence management, performance processes
• Maintain HR policies, documentation, and compliance
• Manage HR reporting, data accuracy, and MI dashboards

Employee Lifecycle

• Oversee onboarding, inductions, probation, leavers, and L&D coordination
• Support managers with people issues and performance conversations
• Manage extended leave processes (maternity/paternity/adoption)

Systems & Reporting

• Ensure HR systems, intranet content, and data integrity remain up to date
• Lead gender pay gap, D&I reporting, and HR metrics

Trainee Recruitment & Development (key focus)

• Manage the full trainee solicitor cycle from attraction to qualification
• Lead Vacation Scheme and Training Contract recruitment
• Run assessment centres, interviews, inductions, and seat rotations
• Ensure compliance with SRA requirements and oversee SQE/LPC pathways
• Monitor trainee performance and support development throughout

What We’re Looking For

• CIPD Level 5 (minimum); Level 7 preferred
• Strong HR generalist background within a law firm or professional services
• Hands‑on experience managing training contracts, SQE/LPC pathways, and SRA compliance
• Skilled in assessment centres, trainee recruitment, and graduate programmes
• Excellent communication, organisation, and stakeholder‑management skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, compliance‑heavy environment

Please note:

Start Date: Ideally May/June to allow for a thorough handover. A phased or part‑time onboarding period prior to the full start date maybe possible.

Duration: Expected to be a 12‑month Fixed Term Contract.