Description
The Mobility Manager - EMEA & APAC will act as an operational advisor to the Member Firms on all cross-border Mobility matters inbound/within EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. The role holder is the primary point of contact for Talent teams, graduate recruitment, lawyers, payroll, and finance teams. The role holder will be a specialist subject matter expert, advising the EMEA and APAC regions on compliance, practice of law, and regulatory implications for cross-border mobility, and supporting the operational requirements of a mobility move.
Mobility is at the core of Baker McKenzie and as the first truly global law firm our focus in this area remains a priority. This exciting and critical role is part of the People Function.
Responsibilities:
- Work in an advisory and operational capacity with local/Regional Talent teams in respect of Associate and Partner international assignments, cross-border remote working, and permanent transfer initiations
- Advise Member Firms and Regional Talent staff on the correct application of policy and tax approach, and guide the selection of the appropriate policy type
- Think strategically and creatively in structuring and reviewing Firm compliance risk for non-typical cross-border travel/working requests not covered within the Mobility policy framework.
- Advise Stakeholders when it is not possible to accommodate certain requests where the risk exceeds the benefit(s)
- Stakeholder management and communication to ensure that all parties understand the financial, risk, and compliance analysis and make an informed decision on approving/declining
- Review international assignment/transfer cost estimates and overall assignment compliance analysis and send them to business stakeholders for voting/approval
- Review assignment-related documentation, e.g. assignment letters, and inter-Member Firm agreements, based on the Firm's Global Mobility policies
- Conduct assignment/transfer briefings with mobile employees to advise and support with their relocation
- Consult with mobile employees and coordinates tax compliance requirements
- Be a subject matter expert for mobility queries including immigration, individual and corporate tax, social security, and EU posted-worker notifications. Keep abreast of industry or regulatory updates and adapt or implement mobility processes to meet compliance requirements.
- Partner with in-house specialist teams and external global mobility partners for the delivery of services to mobile employees e.g. work permit application, tax return filings, relocation logistics
- Drive the development of best practice mobility processes and procedures globally and regionally
- Manage, train, coach, and develop Analysts/Specialists
Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree (2:1 classification or above preferred)
- Strong relevant work experience in a related role e.g. global mobility or international tax
- Experience and understanding of mobility policies, methodologies, and processes, ideally in a professional services environment
- Advanced capability in using MS Office (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel), good general IT awareness
- Can-do attitude, self-starter with a motivated and proactive approach
- Strong interpersonal skills with excellent verbal and written English communication skills
- Strong relationship-building skills with the confidence to interact across all levels of the Firm; passionate about providing outstanding service to stakeholders
- High-level attention to detail
- Excellent time management and organizational skills with a proven ability to multitask and work to deadlines
- Ability to work independently combined with a strong teamwork ethic and collaborative approach
- Willing to readjust and reorganize plans to deal with and manage change