This is a fixed term maternity cover contract commencing August 2026 for approximately 12 months.

To support the Firm with all operational and people management activities across the UK and Nordics. Primarily to include, overseeing recruitment and selection, supporting on employee relations, performance management, managing key HR systems, and service suppliers, leading on payroll and benefits and supporting in the delivery of HR projects. The role provides direct support to the wider HR team and works closely with the HR Coordinator.

Payroll and Benefits

• Lead on UK and Nordic Payroll activities and ensure timely uploads.

• Lead on all employee benefits across all offices, including BIK and Class 1A reporting and managing key relationships with suppliers.

• Lead on HR systems as a first line contact.

• Upload and report on pensions.

• Calculations on all pensions, holidays, and key HR data, as required.

Employee Relations & HR Advisory

• Supporting the Senior HR team on a wide range of administrative tasks.

• Supporting the HR Coordinator with the probationary process and absence management across the firm and leading absence management meetings.

• Supporting the HR Coordinator with escalated HR inbox queries and inbox management.

• Leading on the annual and mid-year PDR process.

HR Operations & Compliance

• Supporting compliance including right to work, criminal records checks and security clearances.

• Maintaining accurate HR system records in line with GDPR requirements.

• Leading on drafting and maintaining contractual documentation and general HR correspondence.

• Supporting ISO audits and ad hoc compliance reporting.

• Managing secondments and onboarding of global relocations, ensuring accommodation and permits and in place and legislation is adhered to.

Recruitment, Onboarding & Exits

• Leading and overseeing recruitment across the Firm, including the approval process, job advert creation, system management, shortlisting, interviewing and agency relationship management.

• Conducting senior exit interviews and reporting trends.

• Supporting employee relocations across offices and secondments.

• Supporting with the continual improvements of letter and contract templates.

HR Projects, Policy & Process Improvement

• Acting as a key support in HR project delivery.

• Working with stakeholders to continuously improve HR processes.

• Supporting external benchmarking and HR reporting.

Learning & Development

• Sharing learning needs from within the business with the L&D team.

Essential Skills & Experience

• CIPD Level 5 or 7 qualified (or working towards), or equivalent experience.

• Demonstrable HR generalist experience with expertise in payroll, overseas payroll, pensions and employee benefits.

• Experience advising managers and employees on a wide range of HR issues.

• Experience in leading and overseeing recruitment and selection.

• Ability to prioritise workload effectively, and rigorous attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and a reliable, measured and trusted support.

• Proactive, self-motivated, inquisitive and able to take ownership of tasks.

• Strong IT skills with good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

• Experience within legal or professional services desirable.

The Company 

Potter Clarkson LLP is one of the leading pan-European Intellectual Property law firms, with seven offices across the UK, Denmark, Sweden and Germany.

We offer clients a full IP service to support them in achieving their commercial objectives. We pride ourselves in the exceptional level of client care offered by our approachable and engaged team.

The firm is consistently ranked in the top tier of major legal guides, such as Legal 500 and MIP. We also hold three independent ISO accreditations which evidence our high level of environmental awareness, service provision and information security.

We are committed to promoting a healthy work-life balance, and supporting the wellbeing of all our people. We offer a wealth of health and wellbeing benefits and resources including healthcare, attractive flexible working options, sports and social groups, virtual yoga and mindfulness sessions, a virtual wellbeing hub, mental health first aiders, and a busy social calendar.

Benefits 

• We offer a flexible working policy, with employees expected to be in the office two - three days per week. Initially, the successful candidate will need to work in the office full-time to facilitate their training and integration into the company.

• Competitive salary, dependant on experience. 

• 24 days annual leave.

• Birthday leave.

• Salary sacrifice pension scheme.

• One paid day off per year for charitable work.

• Health care packages.

• Discount vouchers.

• Company aways days.

We are committed to providing a highly supportive, inclusive and stimulating workplace for all our people. Read more about how we’re building a more equal, diverse and inclusive culture here.