Human Resources Office Manager

Vedder's London office is seeking a Human Resources Office Manager. The Human Resources Office Manager manages the daily office operations and support staff activities for the London and Singapore Vedder offices. The Human Resources Office Manager is expected to apply organizational and communication skills while displaying a positive, high energy, client service attitude. The Human Resources Office Manager is responsible for coordinating support and administrative activities, including Human Resources and facilities management, within the local offices. The Human Resources Office Manager will report to the Chief Human Resources Officer and works closely with the Managing Partners of the London and Singapore offices.

• Oversees the day-to-day administrative operations of the London and Singapore offices
• Maintains excellent knowledge of office issues, priorities, projects and schedules through consistent communication with local lawyers and firm managers
• Maintains excellent knowledge of firm-wide resources, including contact information for issue resolution, overflow administration, etc. Acts as the “go to” person for getting work done efficiently by utilizing the firm’s international resources
• Liaison to managers, supervisors and lawyers regarding all operations that support client services and needs of the legal staff
• Leads immigration and right-to-work administration across London and Singapore, working closely with external immigration counsel, employees, and internal Human Resources stakeholders. Oversees UK right-to-work checks and immigration records and acts as a subject matter expert and key user of the UK sponsorship management system, including the administration of Certificates of Sponsorship and preparation of supporting sponsorship documentation and letters
• Coordinates UK visa and Singapore Employment Pass matters, including applications, renewals, changes and cancellations, liaising with external counsel and relevant authorities as required
• Coordinates immigration and related support for international transfers and relocations, ensuring employees receive clear guidance throughout the process
• Ensures adherence to firm policies and procedures
• Remains current on policy and regulatory changes for the London and Singapore offices; providing recommendations to US Human Resources to remain compliant
• Helps create, maintain and update local policies and procedures along with the Chief Human Resources Officer, and local counsel
• Advises and works with Director of Benefits in Chicago on London and Singapore benefits and leaves of absence
• Leads locally on sickness absence, family-related leave and other leaves of absence, supporting employees and managers throughout the process and coordinating associated Human Resources, payroll and benefits administration. Maintains regular communication with the Director of Benefits and escalates on significant and complex matters as appropriate
• Works with Community & Wellness Coordinator to proactively identify, develop and implement wellbeing initiatives across the London and Singapore offices, generating ideas and programmes that support employees’ physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing and contribute to a supportive working environment in which individuals are able to thrive in their roles
• Manages communication for the London and Singapore offices including alerts, updates, publishing local daily news and other communications. Responsible for ensuring that firm-wide communications are distributed and acted upon in a coordinated manner
• Excellent knowledge of key systems; enforces best practices amongst the secretarial and other office staff
• Provides immediate backup for on-site assistance required to support firm-wide functions
• Organises office functions, community events and social gatherings
• Manages office facilities, including planning and coordinating use of space and oversite of Ricoh staff
• Works with Senior Compliance Manger to ensure regulatory trainings are completed, providing additional assistance and guidance on compliance as needed
• Manages budgeting, scheduling and execution of tasks related to furniture, infrastructure and general building maintenance and operations
• Coordinates local business continuity planning activities
• Provides support with rent reviews and lease negotiations for the London office
• Assists in working with the landlord on licensing for the Singapore office
• Manages tenant operational issues, including security and safety procedures with building management
• Oversees approval of office supply acquisitions
• Manages secretarial staff, including coordination of overflow and assignments, approval of overtime and managing performance
• Manages all time off requests and approvals for the London office including appropriate staffing
• Provides on-site guidance and support for other non-legal staff who are otherwise directly supervised by management in other departments
• Works with Human Resources to handle employment verifications and verification of background check documents for potential London new hires
• Coordinates Human Resource issues with the Chief Human Resources Officer or appropriate firm Human Resources professional staff
• Works with Human Resources department to identify needs for staffing; assists with screening and recruiting process for London and Singapore staff, as well as following Equal Opportunity Processes
• Follows firm-wide procedures for all aspects of Human Resources functions, including recordkeeping and documentation
• Works with Human Resources to manage employee relations issues
• Ensures Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Office for Finance and Administration (COFA) roles are filled and kept updated with the SRA
• Works with the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) to ensure practising lawyers in the Singapore office are certified with the LSRA
• Manages health and safety role, with help from local counsel for London and Singapore offices, including organising annual trainings and assessments
• Performs other Human Resources and operational duties and projects as assigned

• Knowledge of human resources practices and procedures
• Experience working with relevant regulatory bodies
• Experience growing a satellite office, including budget development and oversight
• Experience managing staff locally and remotely
• Works well under pressure, a self-starter, demonstrated problem-solver, team player and strong leader
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with all levels of management, staff and third parties
• Strong management skills in finance, human resources, operations/facilities, change initiatives, and strategic planning
• Ability to organize, prioritize, delegate and meet deadlines as well as superior attention to detail and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to learn quickly

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Five (5) plus years of law firm management or professional services management experience
• Working knowledge of English employment law
• Ability to travel to Singapore when needed
• Position also requires the ability to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be proficient in the following software:

Microsoft Office Suite

Vedder Price P.C. is an equal opportunity employer. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability (where applicant is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations), medical condition, protected veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We participate in E-verify.

Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require special assistance or an accommodation during the process due to a disability should contact the Vedder Recruiting Team at recruiting@vedder.com.