At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the recruitment strategy and oversee hiring for a dynamic legal firm.
- Company: Join a leading offshore legal practice with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Collaborate with senior leaders and drive impactful change across jurisdictions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of recruitment in a fast-paced, global environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in recruitment within professional services or legal sectors.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We have a new opportunity for a Head of Recruitment to join our busy HR team. This pivotal role will lead the design and delivery of a high‑performing recruitment strategy that supports the firm’s growth across multiple offshore jurisdictions. The postholder will be responsible for overseeing all lateral hiring and strategic workforce planning, ensuring the firm attracts, selects, and retains exceptional legal and business services talent in a competitive global market. You will act as a strategic advisor to senior stakeholders, enhancing the firm’s employer brand and ensuring recruitment processes align with regulatory, cultural, and commercial requirements unique to offshore legal practice. This role can be based in either our London or Jersey office.
Key responsibilities and duties
- Recruitment Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and execute a global recruitment strategy aligned with the firm’s growth plans and talent needs.
- Partner with senior leadership to anticipate hiring needs and support workforce planning.
- Monitor market trends in offshore legal recruitment and advise on talent availability, compensation, and hiring strategies.
- Lead, manage, and develop the recruitment team across jurisdictions, ensuring high performance and engagement.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development to team members to build capability and career progression.
- Ensure consistent application of recruitment policies, processes, and best practices across all locations.
- Lead resource planning within the recruitment team to meet fluctuating hiring demands.
- Senior Legal & Business Services Hiring
- Oversee lateral partner, senior associate, and counsel recruitment processes.
- Support the identification and acquisition of high‑value legal talent in key practice areas.
- Work closely with practice group leaders to define role requirements and candidate profiles.
- Manage relationships with specialist legal search firms and head‑hunters globally.
- Ensure effective recruitment of business services professionals (e.g., finance, risk, compliance, IT, HR).
- Drive direct sourcing strategies to reduce reliance on agencies while maintaining quality pipelines.
- Oversee graduate, trainee, and internship programmes.
- Employer Brand & Candidate Experience
- Strengthen the firm’s employer value proposition (EVP) in offshore and international markets.
- Ensure an exceptional, consistent candidate experience across all touchpoints.
- Collaborate with marketing and communication teams on recruitment campaigns and branding initiatives.
- Stakeholder Management
- Act as a trusted advisor to partners and senior stakeholders on recruitment matters.
- Influence decision‑making through data, market insight, and best practice guidance.
- Train and support hiring managers on interview techniques and selection processes.
- Data, Reporting & Compliance
- Utilise recruitment metrics to monitor performance, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement.
- Ensure recruitment processes are compliant with local employment laws, immigration requirements, and regulatory frameworks in offshore jurisdictions.
- Manage budgets for recruitment activities, including agency spend and employer branding initiatives.
- Process Improvement & Technology
- Optimise recruitment processes, systems, and tools (e.g., ATS, CRM platforms).
- Drive innovation and efficiency through digital solutions and data‑driven decision‑making.
The successful candidate will work closely with:
- Managing Partners and Carey Olsen Board
- Partners and hiring managers across all jurisdictions
- HR Business Partners and HR Operations teams
- Marketing & Business Development (for employer brand and campaigns)
- External legal search firms, recruitment agencies, and talent partners
Skills, Experience, and Key Competencies
- Experience leading recruitment within a professional services or legal environment.
- Strong understanding of offshore legal markets or comparable international recruitment environments.
- Proven experience recruiting senior talent.
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing recruitment teams across multiple locations.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior level.
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to align recruitment with business strategy.
- Strategic thinking and planning.
- Leadership and team development.
- Commercial acumen.
- Resilience and adaptability in a fast‑paced environment.
Head of Recruitment in London employer: Carey Olsen
As a leading firm in the offshore legal sector, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture. Our London and Jersey offices offer unique opportunities for professional growth, with a strong emphasis on leadership development and strategic collaboration. Join us to be part of a high-performing team that values innovation, supports career progression, and enhances our employer brand in a competitive global market.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Recruitment in London
✨Dive into the Talent Acquisition Community
Get involved with communities specifically aimed at talent acquisition and recruitment. Follow popular forums, like the HR and recruitment threads on LinkedIn Groups or join Talent Acquisition Meetups in your area. Networking with fellow recruiters and industry experts can lead to hidden job opportunities and insider tips!
✨Show Off Your Expertise at Recruitment Events
Attend recruitment fairs and industry conferences where companies, including Carey Olsen, often showcase their hiring needs. Not only can you meet potential employers face-to-face, but you can also demonstrate your passion and knowledge about the field. Make sure you've got some thoughtful questions ready to impress!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still connected to your university, tap into their career services. Many universities have exclusive job boards and connections with companies eager to hire fresh talent in recruitment roles. Plus, you never know who might be able to put in a good word for you at places like Carey Olsen!
✨Tailor Your Digital Footprint
Make sure your online presence reflects your passion for talent acquisition. Share articles, join discussions, and post about trends in recruiting to establish yourself as a knowledgeable candidate. Recruiters often check candidates out online, so use platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your insights and enthusiasm for discovering the right talent!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Recruitment in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Passion for Talent Acquisition:In your cover letter, let your passion for recruiting shine through! Talk about what drew you to talent acquisition. Share experiences where you helped others find their dream jobs or any times you've been involved in hiring processes – it’ll show us at Carey Olsen that you're genuinely invested in the field.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Certifications:Make sure your CV includes any relevant skills or certifications related to recruiting. Mentioning your knowledge of applicant tracking systems, personality assessments, or even any HR-related qualifications can set you apart. This way, we can see straight away that you're not just any candidate but one with the necessary tools for talent acquisition.
Tailor Your CV for the Job:When applying for Head of Recruitment at Carey Olsen, tailor your CV to reflect the job description. Highlight previous experiences in recruitment, candidate sourcing, or employee engagement that align with what we’re after. Personalisation shows we’re not just another checkbox on your job applications!
Bring Your Unique Perspective:In your cover letter, don't hesitate to share your unique perspective on what makes a good recruiter. Whether it's building strong candidate relationships or your approach to diversity in hiring, your insights can resonate well with our team. We love a fresh take, so let it shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carey Olsen
✨Know Your Sourcing Strategies
In the talent acquisition world, it’s all about knowing the best sourcing strategies. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques you’ve used to find and attract top talent, whether that’s through social media, networking events, or innovative outreach methods. Bring examples that showcase your capability!
✨Value of Employer Branding
Employer branding is a huge part of recruitment, so be ready to chat about how you’ve contributed to building an attractive company image. Think about how you’d pitch Carey Olsen to potential candidates and maintain a consistent brand image across platforms.
✨Demonstrate Your Interviewing Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, hiring managers will want to see your interviewing prowess. Prepare for mock interview scenarios where you might need to assess candidates' cultural fit and skill set. Practise asking competency-based questions to demonstrate your systematic approach.
✨Engage with Data and Metrics
Being data-driven is key in talent acquisition! Expect to discuss how you’ve used recruiting metrics to refine your strategies. Familiarise yourself with common KPIs, like time-to-fill and candidate satisfaction scores, and be ready to back up your insights with data!
