HR and Office Manager

What we will offer

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We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

Team Structure

The HR, L&D and D&I department comprises 51 people globally and is responsible for the effective management of all matters concerning the attraction, engagement, development, progression and retention of our people. We play a key role in creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all of our people can do their best work and realise their full potential to the benefit of the firm and themselves. We are involved in a wide range of activities including:
• Implementing the firm's people and talent strategy
• Recruitment of partners and employees, including future (trainee) talent recruitment
• Talent and career management
• Reward strategy and salary review
• Supporting the performance management process

Reporting To:

Report to the Associé Gérant of the Paris office and the Head of Human Resources, based in London, , London based Head of Facilities and IT teams. The role will also work closely with Office/HR Managers in Europe and Asia as well as the business services teams in London.

Role Overview:

The HR & Office Manager, Paris is responsible for the effective running of the office (HR, Reception, general office and secretarial support). The Paris office counts around 75 people: 16 partners, 39 lawyers, 7 trainees (stagiaire juridique), about 18 business services team members and PAs (including 2 receptionists through a third-party provider).

Main Responsibilities

Relationships and line management responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationship with the senior management in the Paris and London offices
• Engender trust and confidence when building relationship
• Act as an aspirational leader, change manager and projects leader
• Act as a senior leader, supporting the Paris Associé Gérant and the senior management based in London
• As a line manager, is responsible for supporting, developing and coaching the HR assistant, office services assistant, PAs and receptionists (third party provider)
• Build and maintain relationship with the French Bar

Human Resources

• Is responsible for the end to end employees/self-employed life cycle: recruitment, on boarding, DUE, contracts, payroll (third party provider), absence, training plans, benefits, appraisals, staff movement, leaver, client secondments and international assignments
• Is responsible for the employee representatives (CSE): elections, monthly meeting
• Ensure annual global processes (for example budget, performance review, salary review etc.) are carried out effectively and in line with the firm's timeline and guidelines and local regulations
• Is responsible for the development and maintenance of country-specific employment contract templates, policies (including internal regulations and IT chart), procedures and guidelines that meet the firm's standards and are compatible with local practice, French employment law, Industry agreement (convention collective) and Paris Bar
• Lead on creating, maintaining and updating and know-how, including step by step guides to the employee life cycle best practice and process (including immigration/visas, training providers, Paris Bar etc.)
• Use own network and strong market knowledge to provide market trend and benchmarking as well as to propose relevant regional or local initiatives. For example. benchmarking on benefits and salaries
• Support the Head of HR and wider HR team with global project delivery, acting as a lead project manager for the Paris office
• Facilitate the development of a highly motivated and engaged workforce competent team of HR professional, establishing operation excellence

Office management

• Is responsible for keeping up to date with the AARPI registration
• Develop the annual operational and investment budget, ensuring the office operates within agreed budget parameters
• Is responsible for the review, negotiation and management of supplier and third-party contracts in liaison with the London office
• Manage all office supplies including equipment (e.g. photocopiers) and stationery
• Is responsible for the provision of reception services (via a third party provider), office services support (including mail handling, photocopying, printing, archiving), the provision of physical security and access, ensuring risk assessments are completed and that the physical assets, partners and employees are appropriate protected and secure in accordance with the firms policies, client and insurance requirements
• Is the single point of contact for the office premises' landlord and agents, ensuring that services covered within the agreed service charges are provided to a high standard
• Is responsible for maintaining the condition of the office ensuring all lease requirements are understood and maintained appropriately. Ensures the necessary proactive and reactive repair and maintenance is completed by utilisation of the landlord's on-site maintenance teams and appropriate external contractors
• Is responsible for the development, review, publication and training of the Health & Safety Policy ensuring this is both consistent with the firm's central policy and local regulations. Ensures that all relevant risk assessments are completed and reviewed at least annually and trained appropriately.
• Is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the firms central and local Environmental and Social Governance policies
• Manages office refurbishments and moves in coordination London based teams
• Leads, manages and reviews office processes/procedures and ensures they are consistent with central firm policies and are published, trained and communicated
• Is responsible for the development of the local Business Continuity Plan
• Proactively make recommendations to improve any systems, processes etc. and takes part in projects and initiatives

Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Service focused attitude, with an approachable and professional manner
• Fluent in English
• Confident and clear communication (verbal and written) with people at all levels of the business hierarchy, including suppliers. A skilled communicator who will create strong relationships with, and influence, partners, fee-earners and PAs; and who is articulate on paper, with high standards of written English
• Confident, resilient and pragmatic, with the ability to respond quickly to requests, manage time and stakeholders effectively, and to work and stay calm under pressure
• Results-focused with a "can do" attitude, and able to deliver results to a consistently high standard
• Proactive nature, hardworking, well organised, able to structure and prioritise own work and work solo when required
• A strong, enthusiastic and supportive team player, able to work well as part of a team and follow direction, autonomous and self-starter
• Able to use initiative and make suggestions to change processes where required
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Commercially-focused, with the ability both to develop a good working knowledge and to add value to HR/resourcing thinking and activity
• HR business partner with facilities/premises manager experience or Office Manager experience with extensive HR component/experience is required (employment law, French bar, ER etc.)
• Experience of working in a professional services firm is required (or working in a commercial law firm would be desirable)
• The ideal candidate would also have experience of working with, and optimising the use of, a global structure and integrated HR software

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm's strategy and business needs.
We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

About the Firm

With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients - listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.
Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.
We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients' needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.
We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.
Our values:
Individuality - We encourage creativity and develop talent
Commitment - To be the best and deliver the highest standard
Teamwork - We work together to build close, long-term relationships
Straight talking - We say what we mean and do what we say
These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.
Our vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.
This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character – the attributes we want to see from all of our people. It also reflects the importance of remaining independent - a clear sign that we are confident in our own future. That's how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.