Talent Management Manager - Belgium

Role Purpose

To deliver against the strategic objectives of the in-market operations of the Firm’s People function for the Belgium offices, which enables the office to attract, develop, and retain top talent, both Fee Earners and Business Professionals.

To carry out the in-market Talent Management operations of the Firm’s People function with consistently high standards and client-service orientation.

Main Responsibilities

• Work with the EMEA Talent Management Director and Core Talent Leadership Team members, Specialist Functions and Global Endto-End Services to support the development and delivery of a compelling Talent Management strategy across Belgium, while taking into account the local market demands, requirements and dynamics, as well as the Practice Groups’ needs
• Represent high standards and values for the People function in Belgium and embody shared values of collaboration and exceptional client-service to all internal clients across the Firm (Partners, Fee Earners & Business Professionals)
• Act as a change agent (explain, enthuse, coach) manage and lead the implementation of the new HRIS (SuccessFactors) in the Belgian offices.
• Implement the Firm’s response to its employee surveys in Belgium, working closely with the EMEA Talent Management team to enhance employee engagement and continue to strengthen the People strategies in the office
• Identify opportunities to continuously improve the People Experience for all colleagues in the office, with a focus on building a listening & feedback culture; implementing an inclusive leadership environment with special attention for Inclusion, Diversity & Equity and Wellbeing & Flexibility; and increasing transparency on career paths and development opportunities both for lawyers and Business Professionals
• Partner closely with our specialist People functions (Leadership & Learning, Partnership & Performance, Inclusion Diversity & Equity and Recruitment & Mobility) to ensure our internal and external talent strategies align with the requirements of the business and implement global best practices
• Provide input to the Firm’s global Talent Management strategy by partnering with the EMEA Talent Management team, to share ideas, collaborate, innovate and create a best-in-class environment for all the Firm’s Fee Earners and Business Professionals.
• Manage and oversee relationships with external vendors
• Create a positive and proactive environment in the Belgium office(s), consistent with the Firm’s values and policies
• Identify opportunities to improve performance and potential capability of the Firm and share with the EMEA Talent
  Management Director, enabling Fee Earners and Business Professionals to deliver to the best of their abilities and work towards the next steps in their careers
• Champion organisational change and improvement across human resources, performance management and compensation, workforce planning, career development and succession planning in close collaboration with the Talent Management Business Partner network in the Firm
• Serve as a confidential resource for Fee Earners and Business Professionals regarding sensitive issues and work with the Talent Management Director and the Office Managing Partner to resolve complex human resources/talent management issues and sensitive employee relations issues
• Support global development and promotion processes in Belgium by working closely with the EMEA Talent Management team to ensure that all processes are aligned regionally
• Other duties as assigned to develop and drive Belgium and EMEA strategy

Travel Requirements

Some occasional travel within EMEA

About The Team

Function

The Firm’s People function has responsibility for supporting and developing all of the Firm’s people, including our Partners, Lawyers and Business Professionals, working closely with the Firm’s leadership to design and deliver the Firm’s people strategy, building on the Firm’s core commitments to collaboration, excellence and inclusivity. The function includes:

• Talent Management
• Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
• Leadership & Learning
• Partnership & Performance

This role will report to the EMEA Talent Management Director.

The direct report of this role is the Talent Management Business Support (HR Officer).

The key relationships of this role are the Belgium Managing Partner, Belgium Office General Manager; Belgium Management Committee members; Local Practice Group Leaders; InMarket Recruitment Manager; Business Professional leaders in Belgium.

About The Candidate

Technical skills, qualifications and experience

• Bachelor/Master’s degree focusing on Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Organizational Development, Management, or other related areas
• At least 3-5 years of working experience in a similar role in HR (e.g. as HR Manager or HR Business Partner), with clear people development and talent affinity / experience
• Experience in in a professional services firm environment is a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact and influence at the highest levels of the Firm
• A very good knowledge level of Dutch and French
• Fluent written and spoken English is required
• Ability to implement success in creating an environment of trust with Partners; effectively utilize negotiation and conflict resolution skills when needed
• Passion for leadership, diversity and inclusion and developing people;
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and drive results with a sense of urgency in setting strategies and executing against the objectives
• Proven ability to influence, interact and consult with senior leaders, strong collaboration skills and effective stakeholder management
• Ability to become an honest broker trusted by both the Associates and partners of the office
• Strong coaching, counselling, business acumen, and overall communication skills
• Able to make sense of complex information and translate into simple, down-to-earth solutions and recommendations
• Not reluctant to work with financial data and KPIs and feel at ease with working with spreadsheets and databases
• Knowledge of SuccessFactors is a plus

Personal qualities

These personal qualities represent the shared characteristics of high performers across Baker McKenzie, regardless of job level and location.

Know how

• Keeps across key developments in all relevant areas and demonstrates the ability to develop substantive authority in relation to the Firm’s specialist fields
• Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distils a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
• Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis

Dedication

• Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards
• Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative and is selfreliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
• Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
• Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations

Personal Impact

• Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity
• Negotiates to achieve outcomes that are mutually satisfactory; shows good judgement on when to stand strong and when to compromise
• Invests in, nurtures and builds a network of productive relationships

Humanity

• Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent
• Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people
• Treats delicate or confidential issues with grace and discretion

About Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie helps clients overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy. We solve complex legal problems across borders and practice areas. Our unique culture, developed over 65+ years, enables our people to understand local markets and navigate multiple jurisdictions, working together as trusted colleagues and friends to instill confidence in our clients. This is an exciting time to join us as we invest in and further develop our Professional & Business Services organisation, providing rewarding and challenging career opportunities in all of our world-class business functions.

We are committed to promoting inclusion, diversity and equity for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people -regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfil their professional aspirations with us.