Recruitment - Bates Wells & Braithwaite, London, UK

JOB DESCRIPTION HR OFFICER – 9 MONTH CONTRACT FROM APRIL 2010

Job Title: Human Resources Officer

Department: Human Resources

Hours of work: 9.30am to 5.30pm with flexibility needed at all times

Reporting to: Partnership Executive Officer

OBJECTIVE OF ROLE

In conjunction with another HR Officer - assist the PEO to provide an effective HR service for all practice areas and support groups. To supervise and co-ordinate a number of teams and to take responsibility for certain the administration functions.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Recruitment & Induction

Work closely with the Heads of Department to provide a comprehensive recruitment service.

complete first support staff interviews (and possibly paralegal);
responsible for managing the start to end recruitment process for all support & professional departments;
manage the support & professional staff Preferred Supplier List;
ensure all aspects of the recruitment process, internally and externally, are carried out in a timely manner to help the firm become a recognised employer of choice within the legal sector;
completing the first, second and final probationary reviews for support staff;
complete the induction process ensuring new staff receive the appropriate level of induction.

HR Administration

work alongside HR Officer to ensure effective administration of all HR services;
work alongside HR Officer in managing the data contained in the HR system ensuring it is accurate and up to date;
produce standard reports eg turnover and absence for Management;

· carry out exit interviews for support staff and provide relevant feedback to the line manager as appropriate;

· managing sickness & absence issues for support staff – referring to firm’s occupational health clinic if needed;

· completing the administration for the yearly Flu Vaccinations;

· managing the maternity and paternity process for all staff;

· complete flexible working requests;

· responsible for Practicing Certificate Renewal.

Graduate Recruitment

· complete the administration for the yearly recruitment process;

· complete the annual inductions for new trainee solicitors (approx 4-5 each year);

· coordinate trainee appraisals;

· coordinate PSC & other external courses;

· registering TC1 & CRB forms with SRA.

Performance Management

Daily management of support staff including Night Typists (4), Float Secretaries including 2 remote secretaries (5), Para-Admins (4), Reception (3) & Admin including the Facilities Manager (5)

ensure smooth daily running of all the above services;

complete weekly/monthly meetings with the above;

· complete the appraisals for the support staff mentioned above;

deal with any queries/concerns/suggestions etc that arise from meetings;
authorise holiday & overtime requests;
oversee/monitor cleaning services with the assistance of Facilities Supervisor and Head Receptionist;
oversee catering queries/concerns alongside the Head Receptionist.

Employee Relations

· manage a whole range of employee relation issues;

· provide the PEO with advice and guidance on employee relation matters and employment law;

· dismissal and redundancies issues – to conduct the initial investigations & manage the administration;

· employee grievances – to conduct the initial investigations & manage the administration;

have a thorough understanding of HR law in particular that relating to contracts, terms and conditions, discrimination, maternity/ paternity, fair dismissal and grievances.

Training and Development

· investigate and arrange training (both formal and informal) for legal and support staff in the annual appraisal process;

· identify and develop training needs to ensure appropriate coaching and training are implemented & manage the administration;

· complete the administration for all Fee Earner Lunches (2 per month) liaising with HOD’s regarding topics;

· coordinate all INN Group Training – Training and Development which involves various other law firms; responsible for management of website for all law firms;

· responsible for LNTV training (Legal Network Television that is completed on-line);

· arranging sensitive training and development for all members of staff; ensuring that all Managers are kept updated & manage the administration;

Policies and Procedures

have knowledge and understanding of all the firms HR policies and their practical application in order to provide advice and support to staff and line management;
assist HR Officer in updating and reviewing HR policies as and when appropriate.

General

to achieve a full working knowledge of the HR system;

undertake ad hoc projects where necessary;
assist with firm’s Summer & Winter Party;
arranging staff buffet lunches for Senior Partner.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

· CIPD qualification & Legal Background desirable

· awareness of latest developments within employment legislation;

· good communication & interpersonal skills;

· confident individual;

· positive & flexible attitude towards work;

· excellent, proven organisational skills;

· proven ability to deal with confidential matters;

· proven ability to provide a customer focused service;

· proven initiative and a proactive attitude;

· able to work as a team member; and

· computer literacy including Word, Excel and HR database skills.

BENEFITS

· 25 days holiday with a 5 day time in lieu option

· Pension scheme (3% contributed by the employee which will be matched by the employer)

· Interest free season ticket loan

· Childcare vouchers

· Subsidised gym

· Subsidised canteen

· 1 free day holiday at Winter period (date tbc)

· Company wide profit-sharing scheme

· Annual salary review

· PHI Income protection scheme

· Free eye-care tests

· Subsidised Corporate Fitness First Membership

· Yoga & Keep Fit classes.

· Death in Service Scheme.

For more information on the Firm, please visit our website: www.bwbllp.com

If you wish to apply for this role, please forward your covering letter and CV to Sian Taylor and the following email address: recruitment@bwbllp.com

The two partner plus two solicitor Dispute Resolution Group of Bates Wells & Braithwaite is seeking a 2 year qualified lawyer.

We need someone who is not only a good lawyer but who will be able to handle and relish the wide range of work we cover and the diversity of our clients. It is hoped that person would also have an interest in contentious probate/legacy work. and/or intellectual property.

BWB has a unique client base of commercial, charity and not for profit clients.

We are based in attractive, newly refurbished premises, opposite St Paul’s Cathedral.

For an informal discussion please contact Malcolm Robson or Robert Oakley on 020 7551 7777 but apply with CV to recruitment@bwbllp.com.

Details of the Dispute Resolution Group can be found on the firm’s website at www.bwbllp.com.

JOB TITLE:

Accounts Assistant.

REPORTING TO:

The Finance Manager

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

We are looking for an experienced Accounts Assistant to join our existing Accounts Department team of 3, working in a busy, high volume environment.

This is a number 2 role to the Finance Manager.

The main purpose of the role is to record daily all financial data covering both Office and Client accounts in a timely manner and with strict adherence to Solicitors Accounts Rules.

To assist with the production of monthly and annual management reports, month and year end processes, training of accounts staff and dealing with accounts queries from staff within the firm and externally.

Finally, to provide cover in the absence of a team member.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBITIES:

· Bank reconciliations

· Monitoring the client bank account via the internet throughout the day and advising staff promptly of monies received and recording all receipts and payments

· Checking and recording client bills on a daily basis and at month end.

· Proactive approach to identifying sums received via bank transfer and the transfer of client to office funds on a daily basis.

· Recording and printing cheque requests, recording and processing bank transfers and international payments.

· Processing client credit card receipts over the telephone and when client present.

· Banking of cheques received.

· Resolving various accounts related queries from staff within the firm, from our bankers and suppliers, by email and telephone.

· Preparations of adhoc reports on excel. Printing management reports throughout the month and at month end and assisting with the production of bespoke reports on excel.

· Assisting with the training of Accounts staff in new processes and systems as they arise.

· Assisting with VAT inspections and annual Audit of accounts and filing and archiving of records in preparation of audit.

CANDIDATE:

The ideal candidate will have the following skills:

· Accurate and organised with a good eye for detail and a strong knowledge of the SARS.

· Working well within a team you must also be able to work autonomously and stay focused in an environment that becomes fast-paced at various times during the month.

· Familiar with working in a busy, high volume and professional environment and able to prioritise to work to deadlines and with a degree of flexibility.

· Fast and accurate data entry.

EDUCATION:

You will ideally be AAT qualified or equivalent with a minimum of 3 years in the legal accounts of solicitors firms. We would also consider a QBE with a minimum of 5 years experience working within an accounts department.

Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent

I.T literate with good Word and Excel skills

BWB London LLP, uses SOS Legal Accounts with Visualfiles case management system, and Coutts Bankline, Online Banking.

If you are interested in applying for the above role, please send your CV to recruitment@bwbllp.com