Senior In-House Counsel - Partner Services
Region: EMEA
Practice group: International Operations
Office: Birmingham
Position type: Permanent
Summary:
We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with 5,000+ colleagues in more than 30 countries. We’re full service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you.
What to expect:
For business professionals, our environment is highly collaborative with value being placed on diversity of ideas, skills and mindsets. It’s energetic, fast-moving and there’s always something new to get involved in. You will get exposure across geographies and the firm as a whole.
Our team:
Our Partner Services Team at Eversheds Sutherland is recognised for both its advisory service to the partnership as well as providing support to the leadership team on partner matters. You will work closely with the partners, HR colleagues, and senior stakeholders on the Executive and international operations teams to ensure that our partnership offering meets the current and future needs of the firm.
Role and key responsibilities:
We are looking for an employment lawyer to join our team, ideally someone who has worked within a professional services environment, and preferably coupled with knowledge of partnerships. The primary focus of this role is to deliver a first-class advisory service to senior stakeholders across HR and the firm’s leadership team regarding a range of Partner matters.
The individual will need to work cohesively with the Partner Services team to delegate and/or assign operational matters, where appropriate. The role will also need to ensure governance and compliance with the partnership agreements and protocols are met, operating across multiple jurisdictions providing an exceptional advisory service to individual partners where required.
This is a key role in the Human Resources function, liaising with and influencing the most senior stakeholders in the business so exceptional communication skills for this role are required.
Skills and experience:
* Working with senior stakeholders across the business to deliver support and advice on a range of topics in relation to the Partner life cycle.
* Lateral hire integration and Partner promotion support, answering queries and providing direction.
* Liaising with the Executive on Partner matters including sabbaticals, general queries, parental leave, lifestyle and changes to Partnership agreements.
* Leading the governance and operational activity that underpins the equity partner and fixed share partner banding review process, with support from the Partner Services team.
* Working with the HR leadership team to ensure there is the right level of support available to Partners from a wellbeing and mental health perspective.
* Managing the Partner retirement process, including liaising with the Partner, Tax team and other relevant stakeholders, ensuring a positive offboarding experience.
* Accountable for the delivery of an accurate and compliant service ensuring that individual, firmwide, regulatory and internal governance protocols are met and/or established.
* Drafting complex and bespoke partner arrangements is a key requirement of this role.
* Responding to planned and ad hoc governance and compliance matters that relate to the international partnership and impact on the wider business and HR processes.
* Liaising and co-ordinating with relevant stakeholders to ensure partner policies/protocols are aligned to members agreements and local requirements.
* Leading project work which impacts the Partnership such as, but not limited to, office integrations, changes to the Partnership Members Agreement and matters regarding Partner remuneration.
* Liaising and building relationships with internal teams including, general counsel, governance and compliance, HR, tax and legal counsel where required.
* Providing support to individual partners as required encompassing coaching, advice and solutions based on interpretation of members’ agreements, policies and benefits.
* Being a central point of contact for all partner transitions (lateral hires, internal promotions and retirees) providing support to them, working closely with line managers and senior HR colleagues.
* Working with senior stakeholders and HR colleagues to ensure that partner performance and contribution is aligned with expectations.
* Analysing data, identifying themes and reporting findings to the leadership team that affect the partnership.
Key competencies:
* Excellent influencing, communication and personal impact skills.
* Politically savvy and able to negotiate their way through multiple stakeholders’ relationships across many jurisdictions.
* Able to manage multiple priorities, with enhanced attention to detail.
* Proactive, innovative and willing to challenge, with the confidence to take the initiative.
* Strong client focus and highly motivated to provide excellent advice and deliver results.
* Excellent decision making and problem-solving abilities.
* Well-developed commercial acumen, with the ability to contribute to both the wider business and HR agenda.
What’s in it for you?
* We’re fair, transparent and equitable.
* We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance.
* We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy.
* We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support.
* We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion.
* We provide a platform for your career through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs.
* We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure.
* We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement.
* We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance.
Diversity and inclusion:
At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual and a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork.
We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture.
Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements.
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