Human Resources Assistant

Make an impact at Goodwin, where we partner with our clients to practice law with integrity, ingenuity, agility and ambition. We are in the business of building authentic, long-term relationships with our clients, who are some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. Our immersive understanding of these industries – combined with our expertise across high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions – sets us apart. Our Global Operations Team – all business professionals of the firm – was named the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.

The HR Assistant will provide comprehensive, proactive, efficient, accurate and consistent HR administrative support to the HR team for all generalist and benefits activity.  The expectation will be to support, develop and improve administrative processes and procedures within the HR function. 

The HR Assistant will be a highly efficient organiser with excellent time management skills, strong attention to detail and IT skills.  Confident communication skills are essential as is a flexible, professional and team-orientated approach.

What you will do 

• Support HR Advisor to proactively track all leaves of absence
• Assist with creating and maintaining standard templates and documents
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date HR files, records and documentation
• Perform periodic audits of HR data to ensure all required documents are collected and filed appropriately
• Ensure all Partner, Associate and GO! Team changes are documented, communicated and saved as appropriate
• Ensure that all filing and archiving is up-to-date
• Respond to basic tenancy and employment reference requests, escalating any complex requests where required
• Work in partnership with HR Operations Specialist and HRMs to manage data in Workday, ensuring it is accurate and up-to-date
• Support the wider HR team to ensure Partner, Associate and GO! Team employees on family leave are invited to Firm events, where appropriate
• Assist HR Advisor with all administration related to joiners, leavers, secondments and leaves of absence
• Organise and manage the GO! Team buddy scheme for all new joiners
• Monitor probation periods for all new joiners, working with the HR Advisor/Managers to solicit feedback
• Work with HR Advisor and Total Rewards Specialist to ensure all changes are communicated to payroll via monthly reporting
• Support the benefits department with administrative tasks, responding to queries and updating employee changes through Workday
• Process all invoices for HR and Benefits team
• A basic understanding of the Firm’s policies and their practical application in order to provide accurate guidance and/or signposting to Partners, Associates and GO! Team
• Partner with HR Operations and other key internal departments to provide administrative support for successful on-boarding and integration
• As part of the HR onboarding and integration plan, arrange new joiner check-ins for the HR Advisor and HRMs (Legal and GO! Team)
• Responsible for supporting the Total Reward Specialist with day to day benefits administration, including processing monthly benefit changes for existing employees/partners, joiners and leavers in the UK Offices
• Support the Total Rewards Specialist, with management of the benefits inbox and act as an initial point of contact for all benefit queries
• Support the Total Rewards Specialist with liaising with benefit providers
• Work closely with the Total Rewards Specialist to ensure payroll data is correct for benefit deductions to be made
• Respond to ad hoc queries on a day-to-day basis, referring more complex queries to HR Advisor and/or HRMs
• Undertake Ad Hoc projects as and when necessary
• Undertake research for the HR team, where required, to assist with projects
• Provide support to HR Advisor and HRMs with reporting and data
• Assist with HR process review and improvement
• Provide cover for colleagues as necessary

Who you are

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Previous experience in HR desirable but not essential
• Organised, self-motivated and keen to learn
• Strong IT skills/proficient in computer systems, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, comfortable working with databases
• Excellent organisational skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously; flexibility and professionalism in dealing with last minute changes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to interact effectively with all levels of the Firm
• Ability to respect, protect and maintain highly confidential information
• Attention to detail, initiative to own a project, ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to provide a high level of service in a fast paced environment

Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status,  disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status.