Herbert Smith Freehills

Data Analyst (12 month FTC)

London Full time

The Opportunity

Primary Objectives:

  • Work collaboratively with stakeholders and teams to understand their data requirements and build solutions that address these while promoting self-service and streamlining processes.

  • Design and implement complex reports and dashboards, transforming intricate people datasets into coherent, aesthetically engaging, and actionable insights that drive strategic decision-making.

  • Produce reports, dashboards, and executive presentations that empower leadership with critical insights for informed people management.

  • Act as a data and analytics subject matter expert, monitoring and advising on data setup practices - including naming conventions and data entry standards - to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability across people datasets. Proactively identify and resolve data quality issues.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Work collaboratively with stakeholders across the People Teams - including L&D - to understand reporting needs and deliver effective, scalable solutions.

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure analytics solutions are aligned with business priorities.

  • Translate complex numerical data into clear, compelling insights by applying strong data storytelling and presentation skills. Use tools such as Power BI, Excel, and PowerPoint to create visuals and reports that align with firm branding and effectively communicate findings to stakeholders across the business.

  • Produce business-as-usual (BAU) reports, analytics and dashboards, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.

  • Produce ad hoc reports, analytics and dashboards as requested by stakeholders and business needs, e.g. producing data for L&D initiatives, external surveys, audits, client pitches.

  • Maintain and enhance dashboards, ensuring they remain relevant, user-friendly, and insightful.

  • Act as a subject matter expert in people data, proactively identifying data quality issues and recommending remediation actions to ensure datasets are accurate, consistent, and fit for purpose. Champion data governance best practices, ensuring analytics solutions comply with GDPR and internal security protocols.

Key Performance Indicators:

  • Delivers BAU and ad hoc reports with a high degree of accuracy and within agreed timelines.

  • Maintains and updates dashboards consistently and reliably.

  • Proactively identifies data quality issues and contributes to remediation efforts that improve reporting reliability.

  • Adapts analytical outputs to suit different audiences, ensuring insights are accessible and actionable.

  • Receives positive feedback from key stakeholders on the clarity, relevance, and usefulness of reporting and analytics.

  • Builds and maintains strong working relationships across stakeholders and Business Services teams.

  • Provides proactive reporting and analytics solutions, anticipating stakeholder needs and contributing to strategic initiatives.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

  • Minimum of 1 years' experience in people data and analytics, ideally with a strong understanding of L&D processes and reporting needs.

  • Advanced hands-on experience with Microsoft Excel and Power BI (or similar data visualization tools).

  • Experience with Cornerstone reporting, and familiarity with Workday report configuration, SQL, and Power Automate is highly desirable.

  • Well-organized, articulate, numerate, and commercially aware.

  • Able to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.

  • Analytical and detail-oriented, with a strong focus on data quality.

  • Solid understanding of people systems, processes, and data governance principles.

  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences and build strong working relationships.

  • Confident in presenting data and insights using infographics, PowerPoint, and other visual storytelling techniques.

Competencies

Personal Leadership

  • Positively impacts those around them, makes quality decisions and develops themselves both personally and professionally

  • Demonstrates sound knowledge in their field

  • Anticipates potential problems and identifies a range of possible solutions

  • Adapts their interpersonal style to suit different audiences in a genuine way

Builds Authentic Relationships

  • Takes time to get to know people beyond their role

  • Treats people with respect and in a fair and consistent way

  • Recognises when colleagues are under pressure and volunteers to assist them where possible

Collaborates with others

  • Works within teams and across boundaries to share knowledge and achieve results

  • Identifies and builds relationships required to achieve the best outcomes for the firm

  • Engages people with the right skills, knowledge and expertise to provide advice and assist with tasks

  • Connects other people in the firm who have mutual interests or work objectives

  • Generously shares their time, knowledge, expertise and talent to support others’ success

Enhances the Client Experience

  • Creates opportunities to enhance the experience of the firm’s clients through their daily tasks

  • Behaves consistently with the firm’s values in their interactions with others

  • Conducts themselves in a way that reflects positively on the firm’s brand, both inside and outside the firm

Achieves Results

  • Maintains focus and drive to achieve quality outcomes

  • Focuses their time and efforts on issues that will have the greatest impact on agreed objectives

  • Anticipates responses and plans their approach accordingly

  • Looks for the most effective way to achieve outcomes

  • Maintains perspective and optimism when faced with setbacks

Team

Human Resources

Working Pattern

Full time

Location

London

Contract type

Fixed Term Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.