Legal Recruitment Manager

My client is looking for a Recruitment Manager to work in close partnership with the firm's regional Practice Group Leads and EMEA Business Managers to deliver a best-in-class recruitment experience for Fee Earner and Early Careers candidates.

This role leads end-to-end recruitment for Fee Earner and Early Careers hiring in Germany, with responsibility for sourcing, selection, offers, and onboarding. It also involves managing the local recruitment team, partnering with business leaders, and driving employer branding, candidate experience, and inclusive hiring practices.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assume ownership of the operational delivery of end-to-end Fee Earner and Early Careers recruitment, working closely with Practice Group Business Managers. Responsibilities include direct sourcing, go-to-market execution, application management, candidate shortlisting, interviewing, offer management, and pre-onboarding activities, ensuring a seamless transition to Talent colleagues for onboarding.
• Lead, coach, and develop the German Recruitment team, comprising two Managers, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Partner with the EMEA Early Careers Senior Manager to design and implement the German Graduate Recruitment marketing, attraction, and media strategy.
• Oversee all aspects of the Early Careers events programme, including faculty career days, moot court, study foundation, and legal tech events.
• Manage the Early Careers application and selection process, including pre-selection, applications, offers, and onboarding.
• Lead employer branding and digital strategy for the local market, while maintaining consistency with global brand standards.
• Support the junior lawyer population throughout the employee lifecycle and proactively manage all HR-related matters for this population.
• Develop strong business relationships with Practice Group leadership, supported by in-depth knowledge of the German and EMEA markets and legal recruitment, acting as a subject matter expert.
• Maintain a consistent and high-quality pipeline of passive and active diverse talent.
• Collaborate effectively with Practice Group leadership and in-market Talent teams to promote best-practice recruitment and functional alignment.
• Work with the Regional Director and Associate Director of Recruitment to continuously improve recruitment strategies and processes across the German offices.
• Deliver timely and accurate reporting on recruitment activity, using data to improve recruitment performance and track FTE headcount.
• Implement recruitment strategies that encourage innovative sourcing methods and reduce reliance on agencies.
• Maintain a strong focus on ID&E strategy and ensure inclusive recruitment practices are upheld at all times.
• Where vendors are engaged, ensure compliance with preferred supplier strategy to support optimal performance and appropriate pricing.
• Ensure all recruitment processes reflect and enhance the Firm's brand and deliver an exceptional candidate experience throughout the selection process.
• Ensure full adherence to Hiring Committee requirements and budgeting and approval processes.
• Develop innovative recruitment and employer branding strategies, while supporting initiatives designed to improve recruitment processes.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• A completed Bachelor's or Master's degree, or an equivalent qualification.
• Experience leading strategic recruitment initiatives within a complex global professional services organisation, ideally a law firm.
• Extensive experience delivering Fee Earner and Early Careers recruitment within a German legal services environment.
• A strong track record in direct sourcing and in delivering high-quality, diverse talent.
• A highly collaborative approach, with proven experience building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and establishing credibility as a trusted advisor.
• The ability to work at pace, solve problems, and deliver effective solutions under tight deadlines and pressure.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with team members, senior stakeholders, and executive leadership.
• Strong judgement and empathy when handling sensitive matters.
• A strong team ethic, with reliability, flexibility, and commitment.
• Strong analytical ability, combined with an independent and proactive working style.
• A friendly, service-oriented, and hands-on approach.
• Creativity, ambition, and the motivation to contribute ideas, participate in international projects early on, and engage with innovative HR concepts.
• Excellent written and spoken German and English.