The firm Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory. We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face. Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024. With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership. The department The HR team of 11 support all people related activity across the firm’s 7 offices. Under the leadership of an HR Director and Head of HR, there are 2 sub teams to support our 4 core practice areas across the whole employee life cycle including recruitment, benefits, career development and wellbeing. In addition we have an Early Careers Manager and Officer who focus on recruiting and supporting our future lawyers and wider apprenticeships, and a Wellbeing Nurse who provides support firmwide. Purpose of job This is a new opportunity within the team, working closely with the Early Careers Manager, and the Early Careers Recruitment Officer. The role will assist with managing relationships with all of our future lawyers (trainee solicitors and Solicitor apprentices) and other apprentices throughout the firm during their training period with Birketts. The role will help to ensure we are able to maintain and build on a pipeline of early talent to the firm and that we are offering a first class employee experience. Accountabilities Liaise with Early Careers Manager and Learning and Development colleagues in relation to induction of future lawyers and apprentices Maintain relationships with future lawyers and apprentices between offer stage and starting employment and during their training period Conduct quarterly informal reviews with future lawyers and apprentices to discuss pastoral issues, ascertain progress and preferences for the future of the training period Seat rota process for trainee solicitors – liaising with Heads of Department, Partners and Team Leaders in relation to their business needs and allocating trainees as appropriate Ensuring our web pages are up to date with relevant information and resources Managing the administrative elements of the onboarding process, for example employment contracts and ID checks Assisting with arranging the firm’s vacation scheme which includes event organisation and management Working with HR colleagues to ensure that the recruitment process is seamless Producing data and management information to assist senior stakeholders with making informed data led decisions Assist with recruitment events at busy times of the year and assist in the annual vacation scheme. Have an awareness of general activity in the professional services early careers space and willingness to suggest new ideas and improvements Building relationships internally and externally to raise the profile of Birketts Early Careers The candidate Excellent administrative and organisation skills Proactive and flexible approach to work – there will be a business need to travel to other offices, though notice will be given and expenses paid if travelling to locations outside of usual commute Ability to manage competing deadlines Friendly and confident in engaging with a variety of people Qualifications/Experience Experience of working in an HR, or training/education environment would be advantageous Experience of managing a variety of administrative tasks Excellent MS Office skills and ideally experience of using systems Strong attention to detail Equal opportunities At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits: 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed) Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee) Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share) Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance Paid CSR Day Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave Subsidised gym membership Electric car scheme Agile/Hybrid Working Policy Dress for your Day Policy https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/ Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application. Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested. Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.