Early careers recruitment manager

My clients, a leading international law firm with an exceptional reputation within disputes and corporate finance, is looking to hire an Early Careers Recruitment Manager, covering a 12-month FTC.

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead and shape a high-performing Early Careers function within a globally recognised professional services environment. Based in London, you will take ownership of the full early talent recruitment lifecycle, managing a team and delivering innovative, inclusive and commercially aligned recruitment strategies.

Reporting to the Head of Recruitment for the UK & EMEA, you will be responsible for developing and delivering the firm’s Early Careers and Solicitor Apprenticeship recruitment strategy, ensuring a consistent pipeline of high-calibre talent aligned to business needs.

You will work closely with senior stakeholders, including Partners and HR leadership, to drive attraction, selection and engagement initiatives across graduate, apprenticeship and internship programmes, while ensuring a best-in-class candidate experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and delivery of Early Careers and Apprenticeship recruitment strategies in partnership with senior stakeholders
• Collaborate with business leaders to define hiring needs, messaging and long-term talent objectives
• Provide regular updates and insights to leadership, including data-driven recommendations and market trends
• Partner globally to align recruitment approaches and share best practice
• Shape and deliver a compelling early careers employer brand across all channels
• Oversee marketing campaigns, campus engagement and events strategy
• Build and maintain strong relationships with target universities and external partners
• Lead on innovative attraction initiatives to enhance talent pipelines and reach diverse candidate groups
• Ensure all activities support sustainability and responsible recruitment principles
• Design and continuously improve recruitment processes to identify top talent in an inclusive and compliant way
• Lead assessment centre delivery and ensure consistent evaluation standards
• Use market insight and data to strengthen hiring outcomes and diversity representation
• Manage interviewer training, including bias awareness and inclusive hiring practices
• Oversee international hiring campaigns and niche talent attraction strategies
• Partner with internal teams and external organisations to drive inclusive recruitment outcomes
• Monitor and analyse diversity data across the recruitment lifecycle, identifying areas for improvement
• Support and enhance outreach initiatives focused on social mobility, disability and underrepresented groups
• Oversee vacation schemes, internships and work experience programmes, ensuring they remain effective conversion tools
• Manage relationships with future joiners, including engagement strategy, communications and pre-joining support
• Collaborate with HR and Learning teams to deliver a seamless transition into the business
• Oversee financial elements such as grants, sponsorships and programme budgets
• Lead the promotion and delivery of the Solicitor Apprenticeship programme
• Support ongoing development and communication around SQE-related initiatives
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and clarity for candidates
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing Early Careers team
• Ensure processes are efficient, scalable and well-documented
• Manage budgets and deliver regular reporting on performance and ROI
• Build strong relationships across global teams to share knowledge and drive continuous improvement

About You

• Proven experience managing the full Early Careers recruitment lifecycle
• Strong team leadership experience within a professional services or similar environment
• Commercially minded, highly organised and confident working with senior stakeholders
• Strong understanding of best practice graduate recruitment and relevant legislation
• Data-driven approach with experience using ATS systems
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Awareness of emerging trends (e.g. AI in recruitment)
• Willingness to travel as required

Why Apply?

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a strategic and high-impact role within a globally respected organisation. You’ll have the autonomy to shape programmes, influence senior stakeholders and lead a talented team, all while driving innovation and inclusivity across early careers recruitment.