Human Resources Manager - Germany

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.

As the HR Manager, you will work closely with the Chairs of the Frankfurt & Munich offices, the Managing Director, Talent (Europe & Asia) and Operations (UK), the Director of Recruitment (Europe & Asia), and the Director of Finance & Operations (Europe), to manage human resources operations and execute firm initiatives at the local level. This role is responsible for coordinating human resources support for both our Frankfurt and Munich offices.

What you will do:

• In partnership with the Frankfurt & Munich partners and the Director of Recruitment (Europe & Asia), you will have responsibility for the recruitment, orientation, and onboarding of all (non-partner) attorney and Global Operations (GO! Team) hires;
• Responsible for managing the German Trainee programme;
• Ensure we are adhering to the relevant Court regulations, ensuring each trainee is set up and managed correctly. Planning for and attending law fairs as required. Managing the feedback and rating process (according to each Court’s requirements) Monitoring local market conditions (eg compensation, benefits) and supporting marketing with early careers information for publications, brochures etc;
• Support the Director of Finance & Operations (Europe) with partner onboarding and integration;
• Responsible for achieving and/or maintaining firm mandated staffing ratios, performance management, staff professional development, employee mentoring and coaching;
• Work with the Office Chair and the partners in co-ordinating the Attorney Review process and participate in the ARC (“Attorney Review Committee”) global meetings and annual compensation review meetings;
• Work with the Directors and Managing Directors within the Talent function to support the budgeting process related to Talent;
• Payroll: review the monthly timesheets; responsible for all payroll data; primary contact with the payroll vendor; schedule bank payments; distribute payment statements and gather signed receipts; report on payroll expenses; ensure wages and tax withholdings comply with regulations; enter new employee’s data into internal databases; answer questions about compensation, benefits, taxes, and insurance deductions;
• Responsible for the local benefit administration for all employees excluding partners, to include the holiday entitlements, pension schemes, medical insurances, train travel programme, gym membership and childcare provisions in conjunction with our benefits team;
• Prepare draft HR policies to ensure we are compliant with local legislation and review annually;
• Manage local employee relations issues in conjunction with HR leadership and German Office Chairs;
• Be point of contact for all HR related queries in Germany and escalate to relevant team members when applicable;
• Other ad hoc local and firm-wide projects.

Who you are:

• Bachelor’s degree with 7+ years’ experience in Human Resources, ideally within a law firm;
• Working knowledge of German employment law and experience in dealing with employee relations matters;
• Working knowledge of Word, Outlook, and Excel and ideally an HR information system (our current HR system is Workday). Ability to learn and utilise additional programmes;
• Excellent presentation skills;
• Well organised, self-motivated and keen to learn;
• Superb organisational skills; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously; flexibility and professionalism in dealing with deadlines;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; professional and courteous demeanour; 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;
• Excellent judgment and business acumen and ability to work effectively across cultures.

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.