The Role

To work collaboratively with the EMEA Dispute Resolution Practice Group Leaders (PGLs) and Business Managers (BMs) to accelerate practice group and individual lawyer performance and development, aligned with strategic direction, vision and values of EMEA; and assist the PGLs and BMs with any and all people issues.

To work closely with the EMEA Director of Talent Management and other Practice Group Talent Management Business Partners for EMEA; and play an essential role providing high-quality business partnering support to lawyers in the EMEA Dispute Resolution Practice Group (the PG).
This is a highly collaborative role, which requires liaising closely with the PGLs and BMs, while also working on a daily basis with office-based Talent Management colleagues. It is a hands-on position that requires proactive and reliable business partnering advice and service to the assigned PGLs and to the lawyers within the PG.

Main responsibilities:

• Operate as a Business Partner for the designated PGLs and BMs to understand their strategic needs in relation to their people; liaise and co-ordinate with office-based Talent Management and Recruitment business partners to deliver:
• Engagement (work closely with PGLs and BM's to understand key themes and areas of focus to develop and implement PG engagement plans across EMEA)
• Team planning and management for the PG (Talent pipeline, succession and promotion, and, in partnership with the PG BMs, capacity review and utilisation, etc.)
• Recruitment (determine needs, evaluate staffing options, coordinate the on-boarding/induction for the PG)
• Mobility (liaise with Global Mobility Advisory Group and office-based Talent Management on mobility issues throughout the PG in EMEA)
• Talent Reviews (support and coordinate the EMEA Talent Review process for the PG and work with the PGLs to identify and implement solutions and programs for underperforming and high potential talent)
• Performance Management (support associate and local partner performance management processes (e.g., annual evaluation and promotion processes) for the assigned practice group; evaluate performance results with the PGLs)
• Career Development (coordinate nomination for EMEA programs, assess and identify lawyer training needs and address in partnership with EMEA Leadership and Learning Lead, provide individual career development coaching sessions on an as-needed basis.)
• Organizational Development (e.g. follow-up on BakerPulse surveys within the practice group, consistent with overall EMEA approach; focus on improving engagement)
• Integration (serve as key liaison to support and facilitate integration of lateral partners in EMEA)
• Close coordination with office-based Talent Management, provide HR advisory support to the PGLs on people-related issues
• Partnership with the People and EMEA leadership teams to help develop optimal People strategy, infrastructure and resources for EMEA
• Other duties as assigned

Travel requirements:Occasional travel may be required

About the team

Function

The Firm's People function has responsibility for recruiting, supporting and developing all of the Firm's people, including our Partners, Lawyers and Professional & Business Services, working closely with the Firm's leadership to design and deliver the Firm's people strategy, building on the Firm's core commitments to collaboration, excellence and inclusivity. The function includes:

• Talent Management
• Recruitment & Mobility
• Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
• Leadership & Learning
• Partnership & Performance
• D&I Analytics

You will report to: Director of Talent Management, EMEA

Your direct reports, if any: N/A

Key relationships:

• Designated EMEA Practice Group Leaders and Business Managers
• Talent Director of the central HR team
• Office-based Talent Management and Recruitment Business Partners
• Other internal functional teams as necessary for the correct execution of ad hoc matters

About the candidate

Technical skills, qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree focusing on Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Organizational Development, Management, or other related areas
• Extensive experience in HR/Talent Management, preferably with experience working in a professional services firm environment
• Experience working across multiple locations and jurisdictions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; fluent written and spoken English is required
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and drive results with a sense of urgency in setting strategies and executing against the objectives
• Proven ability to influence, interact and consult with senior leaders, strong collaboration skills and effective stakeholder management
• Strong coaching, counselling, business acumen, and overall communication skills

Personal qualities

These personal qualities represent the shared characteristics of high performers across Baker McKenzie, regardless of job level and location.

Know how

• Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distills a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
• Has the capacity to take on new ideas and develop knowledge and think holistically about business and address media, analyst, employee, and client audiences
• Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with the agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis

Dedication

• Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards
• Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative and is self reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
• Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
• Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations

Personal Impact

• Uses complex, coordinated influencing/negotiation strategies, adapted to people, organizations, and/or the situation, e.g. networks
• Leverages direct reports to facilitate increased collaboration across the organization
• Builds partnerships based on a common agreement that acknowledges individual differences but creates a new commonality beyond root belief large-scale
• Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity
• Negotiates to achieve mutually satisfactory outcomes; shows good judgment on when to stand strong and when to compromise
• Invests in, nurtures, and builds a network of productive relationships

Humanity

• Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent
• Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people
• Treats delicate or confidential issues with grace and discretion

Why Join Us?

Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm. Founded in 1949, we advise many of the world's most dynamic and successful business organisations through our 13,200 people in 74 offices in 45 countries. Yet big does not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest standard. Our culture encourages this - how we work, think and behave in a collaborative and fulfilling way.

The strength of the firm and our culture is evidenced by a number of recent awards, including:

• Thomson Reuters (formerly Acritas' Sharplegal) Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index, 2010- 2022 - ranked 1st
• The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2021-2022: currently ranked 52nd
• Thomson Reuters ranked the Firm No. 1 for cross-border deals for the last 12 years. More than 70% of our deals are cross-border.
• For the 14th consecutive year, the Firm was ranked first for deals with emerging market involvement, by both number of announced and completed deals.
• Law360 ranked the Firm as one of the 400 Largest US Law Firms in in its annual survey in 2020.
• Identified as one of the Hall of Fame for best law firms for women by Working Mother magazine, 2011-2021.
• Received a a Gold Award in Stonewall's Global Workplace Equality Index of Top Global Employers for LGBTQ+ Inclusion.
• Ranked as one of the Top 20 Employers in the 2023 Social Mobility Employer Index.
• Received Double Certification for earning top marks in the 2022 Corporate Equality Index and Equidad MX of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
• Winner of the Europe Mentorship Programme - International Firm award in the Euromoney Women in Business Law Europe Awards 2021
• Winner of the Gender Diversity International Firm, Talent Management International Firm, and Work-Life Balance International Firm awards in the Euromoney Women in Business Law Asia Awards 2021

Have a look at our YouTube channel to find out more about us!

To Apply

Please click on the Apply icon to start the online application process for this role. We will then be in touch with you once we have reviewed your application.

For more information about this position or to discuss any adjustments you may require during the process please contact in confidence, David Roberts, Recruitment Manager, on David.Roberts@bakermckenzie.com

Please review our Applicant Privacy Notice here

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Please note Baker McKenzie does not accept unsolicited CVs. Please click here for details of our Agency Policy and commitment to sourcing directly.

Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

As the first truly global law firm, diversity and inclusion are foundational to our culture and strategic vision. We are a Firm of individuals from across the globe with different backgrounds, ideas, and points of view who collegially work together to solve complex problems and design practical solutions for our clients. Our multiple perspectives come from many sources, including the diverse ethnicity, culture, gender, nationality, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, parental status, education, social background and life experience of our people.

Our global strategy is focused on our people, our culture, our clients and the communities where we operate. In 2019 we enacted ambitious new targets related to gender, racial and ethnic diversity at the Firm. These targets are viewed as a floor, not a ceiling, to advancing underrepresented groups, and they are backed by a variety of strategic initiatives aimed at achieving our goals. Our strategic vision is supported in London by six active employee led networks which champion diversity, lead on a number of internal campaigns and deliver a range of activity to celebrate differences in identity, inclusion, and key dates throughout the year including: LGBT+ History Month, International Women's Day, International Trans Day of Visibility, Mental Health Awareness Week, Pride, Black History Month, Social Mobility Week, International Day of Disabled Persons and many more!

Baker McKenzie London has been accredited by Disability Confident, joining over 18,000 organisations that have signed up to help change behaviours and cultures in businesses, networks and communities and reap the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices.