Early Careers Specialist

My client, a leading global law firm, with offices in all the major cities around the world, are looking to hire an Early Careers Specialist, to join their wider team, on a 12 month FTC basis.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a highly regarded international professional services firm and play a key role in supporting and developing the next generation of legal talent. Working as part of a collaborative Early Careers team, you will take responsibility for a significant trainee population, partnering with senior stakeholders across the business to deliver an outstanding trainee experience from onboarding through to qualification.

The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor to trainees, Partners and business leaders, helping to shape career journeys, drive development initiatives and ensure the smooth delivery of all aspects of the training contract programme.

Reporting into the Early Talent Development Team Lead, you will be responsible for managing a broad range of early careers and HR activities across the trainee lifecycle.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Acting as the primary point of contact for allocated trainee cohorts throughout their training contract journey.
• Conducting career and development discussions, providing coaching and guidance on performance, progression, seat preferences and qualification pathways.
• Supporting trainees to maximise their development and achieve their full potential.
• Managing the trainee qualification process in partnership with key stakeholders.
• Working closely with Partners, HR teams and Resource Managers to understand trainee resourcing requirements.
• Monitoring utilisation levels and assisting with trainee seat allocation and workforce planning processes.
• Supporting effective deployment of trainees across practice groups.
• Delivering presentations and information sessions to future trainees and early careers populations.
• Collaborating with learning and development teams to design and deliver trainee development initiatives.
• Supporting supervisor capability through training, resources and development interventions.
• Driving enhancements to trainee learning programmes and development frameworks.
• Coordinating domestic and international secondment processes.
• Working alongside mobility, HR and business stakeholders to ensure smooth transitions and compliance with relevant policies.
• Providing guidance and support to trainees throughout their secondment experience.
• Building strong relationships with Partners, senior leaders and HR colleagues.
• Acting as a trusted advisor on trainee development, engagement and performance matters.
• Influencing and collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders across a complex and fast-paced business.
• Supporting strategic talent initiatives aligned to wider business objectives.
• Providing guidance on trainee-related employee relations matters.
• Working in partnership with HR colleagues to support sensitive people issues where required.
• Conducting exit interviews, gathering feedback and providing insights that support continuous improvement.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Previous experience within an HR, Early Careers, Talent Development or HR Business Partnering environment.
• Proven experience managing graduate, trainee or early careers populations.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build credibility at all levels of an organisation.
• Experience operating within a large, complex and ideally professional services environment.
• A strong understanding of talent development, performance management and employee lifecycle processes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with confidence engaging with both junior and senior audiences.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commercial awareness and a client-focused mindset.
• High levels of discretion, professionalism and emotional intelligence.
• A collaborative and proactive approach to work.
• Knowledge of employee relations practices and processes.
• Experience within legal or professional services environments.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent professional HR experience.
• Coaching, mediation or related development qualifications.

Why apply?

• Opportunity to join a market-leading international organisation.
• Exposure to senior stakeholders across the business.
• A varied and highly visible role with genuine responsibility.
• The chance to make a real impact on the development of future talent.
• A supportive, collaborative and inclusive working culture.
• Ongoing learning, development and mentoring opportunities.
• Hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of three days per week in the London office.

If you're passionate about developing early careers talent, enjoy building trusted relationships and are looking for a role that combines strategic input with hands-on delivery, we'd love to hear from you.