Lead HR Business Partner

Lead HRBP | Bristol / Exeter / Cheltenham | Up to £80,000 + Bonus

We're partnering with a highly regarded, ambitious UK law firm to find a Lead HR Business Partner, and this one is genuinely urgent.

The outgoing postholder is retiring and has agreed to stay until this is filled. If you're an experienced HRBP from a law firm background and you're ready for your next step up, this needs to move quickly.

The Role

This is a genuine, broad-scope business partnering role elevated from a Senior HRBP position and re-scoped to reflect the seniority and influence required. You'll take full ownership of a defined business group, partnering day-to-day with senior lawyers including Partners across Commercial, Corporate, Financial Services, Employment, and Banking practices.

It's a highly visible, relationship-led role requiring someone who can operate confidently within a partnership model, influence at the most senior levels, and bring genuine commercial and people thinking to complex organisational challenges.

What a Typical Day Looks Like

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• Acting as a trusted strategic partner to the Head of Business Group and a network of Partners advising on people strategy, talent, performance, and organisational effectiveness
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• Navigating complex employee relations matters within a professional services environment, balancing legal risk with commercial pragmatism
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• Coaching and influencing senior stakeholders who are Partners themselves — requiring credibility, confidence, and a peer-to-peer approach
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• Leading, developing, and line managing two HRBPs based in Bristol
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• Driving people initiatives across the business group from succession planning and leadership development through to culture and engagement
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• Collaborating with the wider HR function, including an HR Ops team largely based in Exeter, to deliver seamless people support
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The Package

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• Up to £80,000 + discretionary bonus
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• Bristol, Exeter, or Cheltenham - 3 days per week on-site (some flex to 2 days for the right person)
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• A collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking firm culture
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• A business with genuine purpose and a clear sustainability agenda
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• 2-stage interview process
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What They're Looking For

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• Law firm experience is essential - ideally a top 100 regional or national firm
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• Proven exposure to a partnership model - you understand how Partners operate and how to influence within that structure
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• Strong business partnering capability at a senior level, broad generalist, commercially astute, and genuinely trusted by stakeholders
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• Line management experience, or a strong track record of coaching and developing HR colleagues
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• Confident navigating complexity, ambiguity, and senior relationships simultaneously
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