Early Careers Development Specialist (12 month FTC)

Freshfields is a global law firm with a long-standing reputation for excellence, innovation and collaboration. We advise the world’s leading organisations on their most complex and business-critical matters, combining deep legal expertise with a truly global perspective. Our people are at the heart of our success, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive, grow and feel a genuine sense of belonging.

The role

We are seeking an Early Careers Development Specialist to play a key role in delivering a high-quality development experience for the firm’s Trainee Associates. This is a varied and people-focused role within our Early Careers team, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on how we develop, support and retain future solicitors at Freshfields. You will combine operational excellence with a strong service mindset, supporting trainees from pre-joining engagement through to qualification. Working closely with the Early Careers Development Manager and Specialists, you will help ensure trainees feel supported, informed and challenged throughout their training, while enabling the firm to develop, retain and qualify exceptional future lawyers.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver day-to-day management of key Trainee Associate processes, including induction, seat moves, secondments and qualification.
• Work closely with Learning & Development and external providers to support trainee learning and professional development.
• Manage the firm’s cohort of future trainees through the firm-sponsored law school programme and SQE exams, supporting engagement, progression and transition into the Trainee Associate Programme.
• Co-ordinate and support the trainee performance review process, including mid-seat and end-of-seat reviews.
• Monitor trainee wellbeing and performance, escalating concerns sensitively and proactively in partnership with the Early Careers Development Manager and HR Business Partners.
• Support individual trainees through challenges relating to performance, wellbeing or personal circumstances, in line with firm policies.
• Build effective working relationships with Partners, Supervisors and HR colleagues to support trainee development and consistent standards across the firm.
• Attend trainee-related forums and meetings, contributing insights and supporting the implementation of agreed actions.
• Work collaboratively with the Early Careers Apprenticeship Specialist to ensure alignment and consistency across trainee and apprentice experiences where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate trainee data and reporting, producing insights to support decision-making and continuous improvement of the programme.
• Gather and analyse trainee feedback to identify trends, risks and opportunities to enhance the trainee experience.
• Support the Early Careers Recruitment team during peak recruitment periods, including assessment centres, interviews and events.
• Contribute to early careers projects and initiatives, including programme reviews, pilot activity and firm-wide people projects.

What you’ll bring

• Experience in an early careers, HR or people-focused role within a legal or professional services environment.
• Knowledge of the solicitor training route and the SQE framework.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple processes and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence engaging a wide range of stakeholders.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with strong attention to detail.
• The ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion, empathy and professionalism.
• Confidence working with data, systems and reporting to support informed decision-making.
• Experience working with trainee or graduate development programmes.
• A CIPD qualification or working towards CIPD accreditation.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered on the basis of their merit alone. 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 in the role in question 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 if and 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 relevant factors into account (e.g. 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.