Head of Recruitment

Head of Recruitment

Law firm

Permanent (can be 4 day week)

City of London

£80,000 – £100,000

3 days in the office / 2 days WFH

I have just taken a Head of Recruitment opportunity with a UK Legal firm. As the Head of Recruitment, you will handle all things recruitment below partner level – fee-earning, business services, and early careers, from strategy to execution, nationwide. Leading a team of 4 to 5.

This is a truly hands-on role with lots of strategic oversight & reporting on DE&I, attraction & retention across lateral through to early careers. The ideal background is someone within a Legal firm currently, that is either operating at a ‘Head of’ capacity or ready to take the next step in their career.

Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the entire recruitment process from approval to onboarding, including job description and advertisement creation, sourcing channels selection, shortlisting, interview coordination, negotiation, and transition to HR Operations/Onboarding team.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements (e.g., SRA, EA2010, GDPR, AWR, IR35, Immigration/Visa Sponsorship/Right to Work) and keeping the team briefed and updated.
• Supplier management of the firm’s external, on-demand paralegal supplier for rapid deployment of high volumes, not part of regular paralegal recruitment.
• Overseeing early careers opportunities including NQ, trainee, internship, and internal graduate solicitor apprenticeship campaigns, as well as facilitating structured and ad hoc work experience placements.
• Managing annual trainee requirement gathering, seat confirmations, and allocations.
• Reviewing and revising the trainee application and final selection process annually.
• Monitoring ED&I and providing pastoral support for incumbent trainees.
• Internal campaign management for 2nd year trainees and paralegals qualifying via alternative routes.
• Leading and mentoring the recruitment team.
• Conducting performance reviews, appraisals, and skills gap analysis.
• Forecasting and budgeting recruitment needs.
• Supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Employer branding and EVP development.

Skills:

• Extensive experience overseeing the entire recruitment process, from entry-level to senior positions, across various specializations and disciplines, encompassing both lateral and early careers.
• Previous experience working in a partnership environment, such as a law firm or other professional services firm.
• Comfortable and resilient in managing challenging situations, respectfully advocating for positions while accepting final decisions.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing successful diversity, equity, and inclusion (ED&I) initiatives.