Emerging Talent Senior Manager

Senior Emerging Talent Manager (Graduates) The Senior Emerging Talent Manager (Graduates) plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing the firm’s long-term strategy for the attraction, acquisition, and development of graduate trainee solicitors across the UK and internationally. Operating at a strategic and senior level, you will drive the vision for emerging talent, ensuring the firm is positioned as an employer of choice with the most robust, client‑focused graduate talent pipeline in the legal sector. You will work closely with the Head of Emerging Talent and senior leadership to ensure all programmes and initiatives deliver tangible value to the firm and its clients. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership: Set and deliver the overarching Emerging Talent strategy in alignment with firm‑wide and client objectives, anticipating future talent needs and market trends to maintain a competitive advantage. Brand and Market Presence: Lead the conceptualisation and execution of innovative marketing and brand campaigns, ensuring the firm achieves exceptional visibility and appeal across universities, legal media, and digital platforms. Client‑Centric Programme Development: Collaborate with client relationship teams and key stakeholders to understand client business needs, ensuring all graduate initiatives are designed to deliver superior value and client satisfaction. Selection and Assessment: Champion rigorous, data‑driven selection processes that are fair, consistent, and designed to identify candidates with both technical excellence and client‑centric mindsets. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management: Lead and nurture strategic relationships with academic institutions, industry bodies, client representatives, and internal senior stakeholders. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB): Partner with Responsible Business and DEIB teams to deliver innovative and impactful diversity initiatives. Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement best practices in graduate recruitment, professional skills development, and HR innovation. Programme Delivery and Performance: Oversee the delivery of all aspects of the graduate talent lifecycle, from early attraction and pre‑joining engagement to the qualification and ongoing development of future solicitors. Data‑Driven Strategy: Utilise analytics and market research to inform strategic decisions, measure programme impact, and provide insights to senior leadership and clients. Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop emerging talent team members, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and innovation. Ad‑hoc Strategic Projects: Own and deliver high‑impact projects to advance the broader strategic direction of the Talent Acquisition function. About You Extensive experience in senior emerging talent or graduate recruitment roles within leading professional services or legal environments. Proven ability to design and deliver talent strategies that are informed by commercial and client needs; demonstrable impact on business and client outcomes. Exceptional strategic thinking, passion for innovation and continuous improvement. Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder projects. In‑depth knowledge of solicitor qualification pathways in the UK and internationally, and strong understanding of market trends in legal education and recruitment. Outstanding communication and influencing skills, with gravitas to operate effectively with senior internal and client stakeholders. Exceptional networker, able to build enduring relationships internally and externally. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a track record of delivering impactful DEIB initiatives. Analytical mindset, experience using data to drive talent strategy and evidence ROI to clients and leadership. Resilient, adaptable, and results‑oriented, with a collaborative leadership style and commitment to the firm’s values. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) essential; postgraduate qualifications in HR, Talent Management, or related fields highly desirable. Continuous professional development in emerging talent, HR, or legal education is highly valued. Benefits Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually) Flexible, hybrid working policy Generous bonus scheme Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service) Holiday exchange scheme Private medical insurance Enhanced parental leave Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. Applications are accepted via the portal only, in line with the firm’s preferred agency panel policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr