HR Services Assistant - 12m FTC

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and customer-focused HR Services Assistant to join our HR Services team based in Manchester. This is a front-line role, providing essential support and guidance to colleagues across the firm. You will play a key part in coordinating new joiner activities and managing a broad range of HR queries and processes, including onboarding, pre-employment checks, performance management, secondments, leavers, retirements, long service awards, and contract renewals.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a passion for delivering high-quality HR support and a proactive approach to process improvement and technology adoption.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for HR-related enquiries via telephone, email, and online platforms, ensuring timely and professional resolution.

• Provide transactional processing and administrative support across core HR processes.

• Prepare external correspondence including employment references, mortgage/rental confirmations, and business visa letters.

• Maintain and update HR documentation in line with legislative and policy changes.

• Ensure accurate data entry and maintenance within the firm’s HR system (Workday) and other filing systems.

• Build strong working relationships with HR colleagues and contribute to a collaborative team environment.

• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline HR processes and enhance service delivery.

• Support HR projects focused on automation and AI-driven enhancements to improve administrative efficiency and employee experience.

Key Requirements

Essential:

• Proven customer service experience in a professional or commercial setting.

• Strong communication skills and a commitment to delivering prompt and effective support.

• Team-oriented mindset with a focus on achieving shared goals and KPIs.

• Proactive approach to continuous improvement and openness to adopting new technologies.

• Interest in process optimisation and innovation.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in a shared services HR environment.

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.

• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel, and familiarity with database systems.

• Experience using HR technology platforms, ideally Workday.

• Interest or experience in supporting AI-driven systems or automation initiatives within HR.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.