Main information
Term type:
Permanent
Department:
Human Resources
Location:
London
The firm
Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is a sector-focused international law firm with extensive expertise and industry insight across its core sectors of energy, infrastructure and transport. Through its network of 19 offices, the firm advises clients on complex, high-value transactions and disputes – matters requiring precise legal execution and a nuanced understanding of global market dynamics.
The firm’s success is driven by its people. It fosters a collaborative, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can grow, share ideas and make an impact. Guided by its values –We are experts, We are united and We care – the firm delivers exceptional service through strong relationships and teamwork. The firm is committed to clear career paths, championing diversity and investing in its people so they can thrive.
Role overview
The firm’s aim is to develop an effective digital HR environment with high quality data to support the firm’s business strategies with better and faster workforce decisions informed by data.
To ensure the effective maintenance of our global organisational and people data for 1,450 employees and partners and to support and manage the continuous improvement of our HR systems as well as analysing, configuring and implementing solutions to address the needs of the business. The role will focus on data management, cleansing, data analysis and insights and will be part of project teams for cyclical global processes, such as performance reviews and compensation review, supporting the process from a systems and data perspective.
Key activities/responsibilities
- Managing and administering the firm’s HR systems, ensuring up to date and accurate information by undertaking data integrity and data cleansing projects, to ensure the systems are being utilised efficiently. Current HR information systems include Cascade, ADP, Cornerstone, MyBenefits, Performance Leader and All Hires.
- Be a key player in the global HRIS system review project
- Monitoring and reviewing existing systems. Undertaking research and the evaluation of new and/or alternative solutions and technologies to enhance HR operational effectiveness, helping with change management plans associated with new, enhanced technology. Progressing to helping lead and deliver the implementation of a new HR system.
- Plan, manage and deploy upgrades of existing HR systems. Review and implement new features and enhancements, guidance notes.
- Analysing, maintaining, problem solving and troubleshooting data issues whilst providing support for HR systems governance such as system changes, priorities and impacts.
- Alongside HR team, provide training to end users to increase their effectiveness and ability to use HR systems and tools, providing guidance notes.
- Management of people metrics and analytics, providing and presenting data and statistics both internally and externally.
- Be a key contributor for cyclical processes, such as the Annual Performance review, Compensation review and other projects.
- Improving existing processes and working with other Business Services departments (IT, Finance, Innovation) to integrate systems and streamline the use of people data across the firm.
- To engage key stakeholders across the business, making data accessible and relevant.
- Maintaining a clear understanding of GDPR and compliance issues associated with personal and sensitive data.
- Provide support to wider HR team, troubleshoot issues, configure such platforms to meet business needs and working closely with the vendor and the business where required.
- Data cleanse and develop processes for data entry enhancements.
- Ensuring that all the data from reports is translated into visual and concise language for the end user.
- Responsible for working on HR delivery and performance as a function - liaising with stakeholders in the business, understanding SME's needs.
- Working closely with different business areas and stakeholders including reward and HRBP's to identify business needs, problems and provide analytical solutions.
Skills and experience – desired
- HR systems deployment, upgrade and administration experience.
- Project management or technical lead experience on HR systems deployment projects.
- Understanding of relational databases and related integrations, data analysis, data cleansing and report authoring.
- Advanced Excel (vlookups, formulae and pivot tables essential).
- PowerBi is highly desired, or with capability to learn on the job.
- Excellent attention to detail; ability to problem-solve.
- An effective communicator, ability to explain technical advice to colleagues in simple language.
- Ability to train/teach colleagues to use our HR systems, and report creation.
- Responsive to business needs, and, in time, able to predict business needs.
- Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills; adherence to deadlines.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to troubleshoot and problem solve collaboratively.
- Ability to work with key stakeholders throughout the organisation to ensure systems are fully and accurately integrated with the firm’s related applications.
- Verbal and written communication skills and to be able to create technical design documents.
- Strong understanding of the workings of a HR department (ideally within the legal sector).
Benefits
We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.
Additional information
The Firm promotes a culture of agility and flexibility and is fully supportive of flexible working arrangements where these can be accommodated.
Equal opportunities
Diversity and inclusion are integral to the firm’s strategy and underpin its efforts to attract and retain top talent. All employment decisions are made objectively, based on merit and ability and the firm is committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment. As a Disability Confident employer, WFW welcomes adjustments for candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions and participates in the Disability Confident interview scheme. If you would like to apply through this scheme or require adjustments during any stage of the process, please contact [email protected].
