HR Project Manager

Overview of the Firm and Function

Freshfields is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it matters most, wherever in the world that may be. We deliver seamless service across borders, cultures and languages.

Our people make our firm – we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams.

We think and work globally – we don’t just say we are one firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work isn’t just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.

We aim to add value in everything we do – we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals. In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate.

The HR Function delivers all HR services across the firm and works closely with all Practice Groups and Business Services to deliver against our core global people strategy and key priorities of providing a culture we care about; outstanding career development; an inclusive working environment; and a rewarding deal for all. We promote a culture of continuous improvement and embrace innovative ways of working to ensure we keep pace and remain competitive within the rapidly evolving market we operate within. We aim to deliver an exceptional and consistent Freshfields people experience.

The HR operations teams are central to supporting our people and enabling our people priorities.

Role summary/purpose of Job

We are seeking a strategic and results-oriented HR Project Manager to drive cross-functional HR initiatives and transformation projects. This role will partner closely with HR Business Partners (HRBPs), business leaders, and HR Centers of Excellence (COEs) to manage and deliver projects focused on organizational optimization, change management, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment, has a strong understanding of HR operations, and brings project management expertise to ensure successful outcomes.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

Project & Program Management

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of HR-related projects, including org design changes, restructuring, workforce planning, and talent initiatives.
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, stakeholder maps, and communications strategies.
• Track progress against goals, resolve issues, mitigate risks, and report on key project milestones.

Organizational Optimization & Change Management

• Support HRBPs in diagnosing organizational effectiveness and recommending improvement strategies.
• Partner with HRBPs and leaders to implement organizational design changes, ensuring alignment with business strategy.
• Design and execute change management plans to ensure smooth transitions, employee engagement, and adoption.

HR COE Collaboration

• Serve as the connective tissue between HR Business Partners and COEs (Talent Acquisition, L&D, Total Rewards, People Analytics, etc.) to deliver integrated HR services.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate and streamline services, processes, and policies to drive consistency and efficiency.
• Facilitate working sessions to ensure COE solutions meet the needs of the business and are implemented effectively.

HR Strategy & Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across HR by identifying inefficiencies and implementing scalable solutions.
• Analyze HR metrics and employee feedback to inform project priorities and measure impact.
• Contribute to the development of HR strategies by providing insights and execution support.

Key requirements (Communication/skills/experience)

• This is a hybrid role requiring in office presence three days a week in our Freshfields New York, Washington DC, Raleigh or Boston office.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in HR, project management, or business operations, with a strong HR acumen.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional projects in a matrixed organization.
• Strong knowledge of HR functions and organizational change practices.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Asana, Microsoft Project).
• Experience working with or within HR Business Partner and COE models.
• Experience in fast-paced, high-growth environments or large-scale transformations.

Success Metrics:

• On-time, on-budget delivery of HR projects.
• Improved HR service delivery and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Successful execution of change initiatives with minimal disruption.
• Measurable improvements in organizational design and HR operational efficiency.