Early Careers Recruitment Specialist in Manchester

Are you passionate about shaping the future of legal talent? We’re looking for an enthusiastic and driven Early Careers Recruitment Specialist to join our dynamic team and play a key role in attracting, engaging, and selecting the next generation of legal professionals. This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the heart of our Early Careers strategy, supporting recruitment across our Vacation Scheme, Trainee Associate, and Solicitor Apprentice programmes. You’ll be involved in everything from campus engagement and diversity initiatives to assessment centres and marketing campaigns — helping us build a pipeline of exceptional talent.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Manage recruitment processes from application to offer, ensuring a seamless candidate experience.
• Lead the design and delivery of our First Year Insight Scheme.
• Support and attend campus events, law fairs, and presentations — building strong relationships with universities and student communities.
• Oversee the running of Vacation Schemes, open days, and assessment centres.
• Collaborate with internal teams on diversity reporting, marketing materials, and social media content.
• Act as a key point of contact for future trainees, providing ongoing support and engagement.
• Supervise Early Careers Assistants and coordinate logistics for attraction and selection activities.

What We’re Looking For

• Essential: Proven experience in early careers recruitment (minimum one full cycle).
• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills — confident speaking to groups in-person and virtually.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Professional, proactive, and able to work under pressure.
• Willingness to travel nationally and attend evening events.

• Desirable: Experience with ATS platforms (e.g. Workday, Candid).
• Background in a professional services or partnership environment.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team, with the opportunity to make a real impact on how we attract and develop future legal talent. We offer a supportive environment, national exposure, and the chance to work on innovative projects that shape the careers of aspiring lawyers. Ready to inspire the next generation? Apply and help us build a diverse and talented future for the legal profession.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing. Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.