HR Manager (Asia, based in Hong Kong)

The Firm

HFW is an international law firm with a strong global presence and a reputation for providing an excellent service to an impressive list of domestic and international clients.  With over 450 lawyers working across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, we provide a global and seamless service 24 hours a day.  We are dynamic, entrepreneurial and leaders in our specialist areas.  Many of our partners are recognised experts.

The Asian Offices

The Hong Kong office established the firm’s presence in Asia, opening over 30 years ago.  Consisting of 110 people, this is our largest office outside London and includes partners and associates qualified in the UK and Hong Kong, as well as other legal jurisdictions within the region.  The office is a leader in shipping, aviation, commodities, construction, energy, commercial litigation, insurance and corporate matters – regularly winning awards for its work.

HFW established its Singapore office in 1990.  It operates throughout SE Asia and has particular strength in Indonesia.  The Singapore office supports its world renowned transportation practice (in both the marine and aviation sectors on matters both transactional and contentious, including admiralty and crisis management) as well as providing sector coverage to its global resources practices (in both mining and oil and gas, including LNG).  In addition to the sectors in which the firm specialises, HFW advises a number of associated industries including: ship building, insurance, trade and corporate finance and capital markets.  The Singapore office has approximately 66 members of staff.

The Shanghai office specialises in all aspects of international commercial maritime and admiralty law, corporate, ship sale and purchase, new buildings, ship repair and conversion, insurance, commodities and trade.  The office has 26 members of staff.

HFW will be opening a fourth office in the region in the near future.

Job Purpose

To provide a full generalist HR service to HFW's offices in Asia.  The majority of the role will be in support of the Hong Kong office, but the HR Manager will also be responsible for providing advice and guidance to the offices in the region.  The role is responsible for the detailed implementation of HR initiatives throughout the region as well as managing the standard of service provided by those with HR responsibilities in Asia.

The role will work closely with the firm's global HR Director and the Asia office heads to develop and implement a consistent approach to all HR activity in the region (allowing for local employment law) and positioning the firm as a forward-thinking employer of choice that values all of its people and is focussed on talent management.

Key Responsibilities

Resourcing:

1. In conjunction with the office heads, ensure appropriate headcount forecasting is completed to support the growth of the business, as well as succession planning where necessary.
2. Responsible for all fee earner, business services and secretarial recruitment for the offices.  To include headcount management within budgets, preparation of job descriptions, advertising (including use of social media), interviewing and identifying suitable skills assessment materials, negotiating packages, etc.
3. Identifying suitable recruitment agencies and online resources, negotiating terms and relationship management with suppliers.
4. Managing the new starter and leaver processes, including pre-employment due diligence, induction, and exit interviews, etc.
5. Hong Kong Trainee Solicitors – ownership of the process of advertising and career fairs, initial recruitment, training, and work allocation.
6. London Trainee Solicitors – local ownership of the Trainee process, compliance with SRA training requirements, accommodation, and work allocation.
7. Global mobility: Managing secondments to clients and international offices, permanent relocations, accommodation and tax.  Assisting with the process of obtaining work permits/visas and monitoring their expiry and renewal.
8. In conjunction with the Office Managers and Office Heads, ensure that efficient working practices are in place and that team structures are appropriate to support excellent client service.

Performance Management and Employee Relations:

1. Monitoring team performance and utilisation, as required, and supporting the partners and business services managers in taking the necessary action resulting from this analysis. Dealing with a range of employment issues, including performance management, disciplinary and grievance hearings, dismissals and change management. Identifying and driving local employee engagement initiatives, and supporting the roll-out of global HR initiatives, as well as brand and values projects. Providing proactive support to the office Diversity and Inclusion Champion, and promoting D&I initiatives within the office.

Compensation & Benefits:

1. Supporting the global salary review and bonus allocation process, working with the London HR team and the local partners. Ensuring staff benefits are aligned with the market, and fit for purpose, and liaising with local benefits providers/advisors as appropriate. Dealing with ad hoc queries on benefits.

Regulatory:

1. Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of applicable employment law and practice in all four jurisdictions, and ensuring that our employment practices remain compliant with this, working with employment lawyers across the jurisdictions when necessary. Ensuring compliance with local regulatory requirements in terms of right to practise, registration with local law societies, job titles, supervision of trainees, etc. Together with the Risk & Compliance team, co-ordinating the global annual practising certificate renewal exercise with the SRA and local law societies and confirming that all lawyers are positioning themselves correctly in the market.

Projects & Policies:

1. Designing, drafting and launching appropriate HR policies and procedures in line with the office/business needs, local best practice and employment law. Producing relevant management information, as required. Dealing with general HR issues that may arise. Maintaining accurate data on the HR database (Access SelectHR), processing changes, rolling out employee self-service. Carrying out analysis/market research, eg. competitor trend analysis, policies, statistical reporting. Ad hoc project work or task, as required.

Team Management:

1. Provide leadership to those with HR responsibilities in the region.  In particular, provide line management to the HR Officer in Hong Kong. Play an active role in the global HR leadership team, representing the Asia region.

Key Skills & Experience Required

1. Minimum seven years’ HR generalist experience within a professional services organisation in the Asia region, ideally within legal.
2. Fluent in written and spoken English.  Fluent Chinese is desirable.
3. Sound technical knowledge of employment law and its practical application. 
4. Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to act with tact and diplomacy.  Pragmatism is important.
5. IT and numerical literacy, in particular Excel, PowerPoint and HRIS.
6. Organised, self motivated and enthusiastic

Additional Information

Kindly note that this job description is not contractual.  It will be reviewed periodically and may be amended or altered to meet the needs of the firm.

HFW aims to ensure equality of opportunity and we are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff.  All applications will be considered only on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

Due to the volume of applicants, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.