Global HR Operations Lead at CliffordChance

Job Overview The HR function helps to build the Firm's sustainable competitive advantage through the selection and development of top talent that possess capabilities that help differentiate the Firm from its competitors and to create a steady, self-renewing stream of leaders of the future. The Global HR function works closely with local and global management, supporting the Firm's people strategy through a number of key activities which cover the attraction, retention and development of our people, and leading Global HR Operations. Their remit covers, but is not limited to the areas of recruitment, succession planning, talent management, engagement, change management, organizational and performance management, leadership development, career structures, training and learning Who you will work with The Global HR team is looking for a Global HR Operations Lead to operate and maintain the Global HR Operations team with a particular focus on HR Workday Operations, HR Core Operations & Recruitment Support Operations.  In this role, you will work closely and directly with the Global Head of HR Operations, Reporting & Analytics and Global HR leadership to help develop, operationalize and advance the firm's People Strategy and modernise people practices. What you will be responsible for You will need to be strategic and facilitative, requiring focus, flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to play an active, behind-the-scenes role. You will need to be highly resourceful with solid emotional intelligence, motivation, and analytical skills. You will report directly to the Global Head of HR Operations, Reporting & Analytics based in Delhi What you will do Key to the role will be leading and managing the global HR Operations function, with a particular focus on HR Workday Operations, HR Core Operations & Recruitment Support Operations. You will ensure the efficient, compliant, and high-quality delivery of HR services across the employee lifecycle, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement. This position plays a key role in driving digital HR transformation, process standardisation, data governance, compliance, automation, and service delivery performance.  The role partners closely with Global HR Leadership to enable and scale the Firm’s People Strategy and modernise people practices across jurisdictions. Global HR Service Delivery Leadership • Lead and manage global HR service delivery across the full employee lifecycle, ensuring a seamless and consistent employee experience. • Define, monitor and govern SLAs, KPIs and the HR service catalogue to ensure clarity, accountability and measurable performance. • Drive operational excellence, efficiency and standardisation across regions while maintaining high‑quality service delivery.HR Technology, Data & Automation • Oversee Workday operations, ongoing enhancements, integrations and system optimisation to support evolving business needs. • Lead HR digital transformation and automation initiatives to simplify processes, reduce manual effort and enable data‑driven decision‑making. • Ensure strong HR data governance, accuracy, compliance and global data privacy adherence across all HR systems.Global Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement • Develop and maintain global HR SOPs, process maps and standards to ensure consistency and clarity across markets. • Partner with global and local teams to drive end‑to‑end process improvements and remove operational inefficiencies. • Lead global change adoption initiatives, balancing standardisation with local regulatory and cultural considerations.Leadership & Team Management • Lead multi‑location HR Operations teams, focusing on capability building, performance management and succession planning. • Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence and continuous improvement across all teams. • Coach and support team leaders to deliver reliable, high‑quality operational outcomes.Strategic Partnership & Advisory Support • Partner with the Global HR Leadership to implement and enable the firm’s People Strategy. • Provide insight‑driven recommendations, analysis and facilitation support on key HR initiatives and decisions. • Build strong relationships across a complex, matrixed organisation to enable alignment and collaboration.Risk, Compliance & Governance • Oversee HR operational compliance, audit readiness and adherence to global data privacy regulations. • Manage risks and internal controls across HR Operations, ensuring issues are promptly identified, escalated and resolved. • Maintain strong governance and performance oversight of third‑party vendors supporting HR Operations.Operational activities • Ensuring that contacts, leads and projects developed and initiated by the Global HR Leadership Team are followed through, embedded and that progress is made and reported upon; • Participating in strategic initiatives and reporting results back for the HR Leadership Team; • Organising and gathering information from various teams within the function and reporting the information along with recommendations to the Global Head of HR Operations; • Assisting in determining key meeting agenda items, and shaping the information presented and decisions to be taken; • Promote operational excellence and focus within the HR Function by identifying opportunities to create efficiency, remove obstacles, and outline high-impact opportunities; • Streamline processes with various stakeholders on projects and commitments from the HR CoE Heads; • Identify issues that could impact the successful realization of HR Leadership commitments.Advisory duties • Conducting regular monitoring and analysis of industry trends and best practice through networking, contacts and research; • Providing research, advice and facilitation on strategic direction and industry trends; • Work with various other business professional functions team members across the network to coordinate activity, ensure priorities are aligned and other teams outside of the function who need to be involved are updated on global HR initiatives and priorities; • Provide counsel on messaging and positioning for Global HR communications; • Serve as a trusted advisor to the HOD and HR Leadership Team;