The People team play a key role in enabling the firm to attract, develop and retain great people, and giving them the tools and support needed to develop and fulfil their potential, and that of the firm. The team is welcoming, inclusive, driven by providing a 'high touch' level of service, and collaborative in terms of how we work. The team consists of c.50 people in both business-facing, generalist roles (Advisory) alongside specialist teams (Data & Systems; Reward; Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing; Employment, Policy & Engagement; Talent Acquisition, as well as our Academy, which consists of Academy Learning, Academy Tech and Early Careers).
The Team
The Early Careers Team manages the recruitment and ongoing support of approximately 20 apprentices, 60 graduate trainees, and regular cohorts of work experience students and interns. The team of five is responsible for the attraction and recruitment of all early career talent, as well as ensuring the support and development of each cohort, including their transition into the Firm upon qualification. This Advisor role is centred on the attraction and recruitment and the successful candidate will be tasked with developing and implementing strategies to attract and recruit top early career talent into the Firm. This role presents an excellent opportunity for individuals with a background in a similar position at another firm or with early careers experience in another professional services sector.
Duties and Responsibilities
Attraction Programme:
* Design and implement comprehensive attraction strategies to engage with potential candidates across various entry channels, including legal, legal operations, and business operations.
* Actively promote the Firm's employer brand through external career events, online graduate platforms, external partnerships and through networking opportunities, ensuring a strong presence in the market.
* Work with the Communications and Digital Marketing teams to design and implement social media campaigns and oversee the creation of compelling digital content to target key demographics and enhance the Firm's visibility.
* Maintaining strong relationships with suppliers with regards to marketing/attraction and using these resources efficiently to promote recruitment.
Recruitment Processes:
* Manage the full recruitment lifecycle for early career roles, from application screening to offers, ensuring a seamless and positive experience for all candidates.
* Review applications, conduct interviews, design & deliver assessment centres, and facilitate post-assessment discussions to ensure the best candidate selections.
* Collaborate with Training Principals and senior partners to understand the Firm's needs and provide expert advice on recruitment best practices.
* Develop and oversee future joiner programmes, ensuring that trainees and apprentices receive continuous support and engagement from offer acceptance through to induction, ensuring a smooth transition into the Firm.
* Collaborate with the Academy team in designing and delivering induction programmes for apprentices and interns.
Collaboration:
* Establish and maintain strong working relationships with educational institutions, suppliers, and internal stakeholders, including HR colleagues, Training Principals, and senior Partners.
* Work closely with the Firm's EDI Committees to develop and integrate initiatives that support our Core Values and EDI Strategy into the attraction and recruitment processes.
Team Support:
* Directly manage and mentor an Early Careers Assistant, supporting their professional growth and ensuring the team's objectives are met.
* Assist the Early Careers Development Advisor in providing comprehensive support and development to all early careers cohorts throughout the duration of their programmes.
* Responsible for feeding into the Early Careers budget.
Analysis and Reporting:
* Regularly review and refine attraction and recruitment processes to align with the Firm's D&I/EDI Strategy and operational efficiencies.
* Monitor the effectiveness of early career recruitment initiatives, providing detailed reports and recommendations for enhancements.
Skills/Experience
* Demonstrable experience in early careers attraction and recruitment, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment.
* Strong project management skills with a track record of managing graduate and/or apprenticeship programmes and D&I/EDI initiatives.
* Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders.
* Resilient and adaptable, with the capacity to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
* A proactive mindset, excellent organisational skills, and meticulous attention to detail.
Additional Requirements:
* Willingness to travel locally and work from our three UK offices as needed.