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
- 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
- Navigating complex employee relations matters within a professional services environment, balancing legal risk with commercial pragmatism
- Coaching and influencing senior stakeholders who are Partners themselves — requiring credibility, confidence, and a peer-to-peer approach
- Leading, developing, and line managing two HRBPs based in Bristol
- Driving people initiatives across the business group from succession planning and leadership development through to culture and engagement
- Collaborating with the wider HR function, including an HR Ops team largely based in Exeter, to deliver seamless people support
The Package
- Up to £80,000 + discretionary bonus
- Bristol, Exeter, or Cheltenham - 3 days per week on-site (some flex to 2 days for the right person)
- A collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking firm culture
- A business with genuine purpose and a clear sustainability agenda
- 2-stage interview process
What They're Looking For
- Law firm experience is essential - ideally a top 100 regional or national firm
- Proven exposure to a partnership model - you understand how Partners operate and how to influence within that structure
- Strong business partnering capability at a senior level, broad generalist, commercially astute, and genuinely trusted by stakeholders
- Line management experience, or a strong track record of coaching and developing HR colleagues
- Confident navigating complexity, ambiguity, and senior relationships simultaneously