Interim HR Manager – 12‑Month Maternity Cover

About the role

This 12‑month interim position provides strategic and hands‑on HR leadership for a long‑established law firm. You will act as a partner to senior leaders while overseeing day‑to‑day HR operations, employee relations and trainee recruitment.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with senior leaders, managers and employees on a wide range of people matters.
• Lead and support employee‑relations cases, including complex issues and absence management.
• Coach and develop HR team members, acting as an escalation point for HR Advisors.
• Oversee core HR processes such as probation reviews, performance management, leavers, family leave and employee engagement initiatives.
• Manage HR systems, reporting, data integrity and people metrics.
• Drive trainee recruitment, vacation schemes and assessment centre activities.
• Support learning and development programmes aligned with business objectives.
• Contribute to regulatory and professional accreditation requirements, including SRA‑related processes.

Required profile

• Immediately available with HR experience in a legal or professional services environment.
• Strong employee‑relations knowledge and experience handling complex cases.
• Proven ability to partner with senior stakeholders and influence decisions.
• Excellent communication, organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Experience supporting graduate/trainee recruitment programmes (highly desirable).
• Proactive, solutions‑focused approach with strong commercial awareness.

Required skills

What we offer

• 12‑month maternity cover on an hourly or day‑rate basis.
• Reporting directly to the Head of HR.
• Immediate start preferred and a one‑stage interview process.
• London‑based professional services environment.