HR and Learning and Development Coordinator/ Advisor - Derby

Smith Partnership is a leading law firm established in 1987, based in the East Midlands and Staffordshire. A forward thinking and progressive firm employing around 200 staff across 5 offices in Derby, Leicester, Swadlincote, Burton and Stoke.

We’re a growing firm, renowned for our comprehensive legal services, jargon-free approach and exceptional client care.

Role overview:

We’re looking for a HR and Learning and Development Coordinator/ Advisor to join us. You will be joining our expanding HR team that plays a huge part in the growth of the business.

The main purpose of this role is to support the provision of an efficient, pro-active customer focused HR service for the firm. You will take responsibility for effective administrative and advisory support. 

• Supporting the Head of HR in delivering an effective service across the full employee lifecycle, from onboarding to exit.
• Providing day-to-day HR and employee relations support to managers and employees, including advice on policies, procedures and employment law, escalating issues when required.
• Supporting casework and absence management activities, including investigations, sickness absence processes and return-to-work meetings.
• Administering and maintaining the HR and payroll system (ADP), ensuring accurate, compliant employee records, reporting and data protection in line with GDPR.
• Monitoring, coordinating and supporting training, continuing competence and performance management processes, working with internal stakeholders and external providers.
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding, wellbeing and talent management initiatives, and attending selection processes when required.
• Providing general administrative support, including statutory reporting, responding to queries promptly, supporting the wider team and maintaining up-to-date employment law knowledge.

For more details on the role please see the job specification. 

Key requirements: 

• CIPD qualification at level 5 or above or relevant experience
• Experience of working in a HR officer or advisor role
• Demonstrable experience of HR recruitment and selection procedures
• Ability to manage a varied and complex workload as well as delivering to timescale
• Strong ICT skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent planning and organisation skills

Benefits and perks:

• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid working.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
• Access to ongoing training and development programs.

Next Steps:

If you are a driven and dedicated individual looking to advance your career within a progressive and growing law firm, we would love to hear from you. 

Please send your CV and a covering letter detailing your suitability for the role to: Recruitment@smithpartnership.co.uk by 23rd January 2026.

Please note that the closing date may be brought forward depending upon interest. If you would like more information on the role available or an informal chat please speak to Sarah Reader, Head of HR on: 01332 225462 or sarah.reader@smithpartnership.co.uk.

To find out more about the office, click here.

Privacy:

Smith Partnership is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. Please CLICK HERE to read our Candidate Privacy Notice. 

Agencies:

Smith Partnership request that recruitment agencies do not speculatively submit CVs to us unless explicitly asked to do so by our HR team.

Any CVs sent to us on a speculative basis will not be recognised and we will not accept liability for any fee or commission should we subsequently employ a candidate who applied to us directly or was introduced by another agency, that may also have been submitted speculatively by an uninstructed agency.

In the event that an agency's correspondence includes a disclaimer indicating otherwise, our policy above will prevail.