Senior Corporate Responsibility Manager (9-month contract/maternity cover)

The Firm

HFW is a sector focused global law firm.  We have over 500 lawyers working across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.  We take a progressive approach to our roles in commercial business – thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients.

Whether we are solving complex issues within the construction, aviation or shipping industries, or providing advice across insurance, commodities and energy we are specialist lawyers here to add value to our clients.  We think about the commercial solution first, and then underpin our advice with a solid foundation of legal expertise. 

The Department

The Corporate Responsibility Department is currently comprised of 2 in the London office.  The four parts to HFW's CR strategy are: Our business partners; our colleagues; our community; and our environment.

Key Responsibilities

●       Manage and implement the firm's global CR strategy, the key focus areas being our business partners (clients and suppliers); colleagues (diversity and inclusion, and engagement); communities; and environment.

●       Work with the firm to define CR objectives as well as appropriate measures to assess the firm's performance against specific CR targets and KPIs.

●       Work with senior leadership, partner champions and Business Service Heads to manage key global projects eg. engagement survey follow-up, gender equality action plan, mental health action plan, global charity partnerships.

●       Manage global CR campaigns eg. Mental Health Awareness Week, World Mental Health Day, International Women's Day and International Men's Day.

●       Manage an internal network of CR champions (including partner champions) in order to implement key elements of the global CR strategy across HFW's international network.

●       Chair/co-chair relevant internal committees and networks.  Work with partners in their roles as chair ie. Community Investment Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Chair, Gender Equality Networks co-chairs, Ethnicity network chair.

●       Work with the Head of Facilities, eg. to measure the firm's carbon footprint with the aim of reducing it by the end of 2019.  Work the Chair of the Community Investment Committee and other relevant parts of the business on carbon offsetting.

●       Liaise with clients and suppliers where existing relationships exist and engage with new clients and suppliers. 

●       Be the main contact for external CR partners eg. three global charity partners, Byrne Dean/Mind for mental health projects, gender equality networks including Gender Inclusion Network and POWERful Women, etc

●       External and internal communications for the firm on CR, with support from the Communications team.

●       Respond to external requests for information and submissions eg. client requests, Social Mobility Employer Index submission.

●       Report-writing on the firm's CR strategy, objectives and performance as and when required.

●       Attend relevant external events and activities.

●       Attend Board meetings.

●       Budget management.

●       Maintain CR content for website, intranet, firm brochures, etc.

●       Line management of a Corporate Responsibility Executive and Marketing and Corporate Responsibility Administrator.

●       Any other ad hoc duties as may be required.

Key Skills & Experience Required

●          At least five years' previous CR experience in a professional services firm.

●          A track record for delivery of CR initiatives.

●          Good communication skills and a flair for delivering presentations and leading meetings. 

●          Ability to manage internal and external relationships.

●          Excellent organisational skills.

●          Professional demeanour.

●          High levels of discretion, confidentiality and diplomacy.

●          Flexible with regard to working hours (normal working hours are seven working hours between 9.30am and 5.30pm).

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.

Kindly note that, due to the volume of applications, only those candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

HFW collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants to manage its recruitment process.  The firm is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.  For information on how the firm will process your data, please see our Privacy Notice on our website (www.hfw.com/Privacy-Notice), in the section "What we collect and how we use it".