Manager, Legal Recruiting & Professional Development (EMEA)

Manager, Legal Recruiting & Professional Development (EMEA)

Temporary 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ryder Reid Legal Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead graduate recruitment and attorney development initiatives across EMEA.
  • Company: Join a respected international law firm with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and exposure to senior stakeholders.
  • Other info: Immediate start available for the right candidate.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in legal talent development and recruitment.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in legal recruitment or professional development, strong stakeholder management skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

An international law firm is seeking an experienced Manager, Legal Recruiting Professional Development to join its EMEA HR team on a 6-month fixed-term contract. This is an excellent opportunity for a legal talent professional to take ownership of graduate recruitment, attorney development initiatives, and strategic talent projects across multiple European offices. The successful candidate will play a key role in delivering best-in-class recruitment and professional development programmes, partnering closely with senior stakeholders, lawyers, and HR colleagues across the region.

The Role

This position combines responsibility for graduate recruitment, legal talent acquisition, and attorney professional development across EMEA.

  • Legal Recruiting
    • Lead and manage graduate recruitment programmes across EMEA, from attraction through to onboarding.
    • Act as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for all graduate recruitment activity.
    • Manage and mentor junior recruitment team members.
    • Develop and deliver recruitment marketing and employer branding initiatives.
    • Build and maintain strong relationships with universities, careers services, law faculties, and student societies.
    • Advise partners and hiring managers on recruitment strategies, candidate assessment, and selection processes.
    • Manage vacation schemes, insight programmes, assessment centres, and related recruitment activities.
    • Ensure recruitment processes support diversity, equity and inclusion objectives.
    • Produce recruitment analytics and management reports to assess hiring effectiveness and candidate pipeline diversity.
  • Professional Development
    • Partner with senior leadership to deliver attorney career development initiatives across EMEA.
    • Design and implement programmes focused on trainee and associate development.
    • Act as a trusted advisor to lawyers on career planning, development and progression.
    • Support associate performance review processes and development frameworks.
    • Oversee mentoring programmes, skills training, coaching initiatives and professional development events.
    • Monitor attorney utilisation and provide recommendations regarding development and staffing needs.
    • Manage exit interview processes and support the continuous improvement of the employee experience.
    • Collaborate with global professional development teams on regional and firmwide initiatives.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

  • A minimum of 5 years' experience in legal recruitment, graduate recruitment, talent development, professional development, or legal HR.
  • Experience gained within a law firm, professional services, consulting, or international corporate environment.
  • Strong knowledge of graduate recruitment and legal talent development practices.
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior levels.
  • Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Exceptional communication, organisational and analytical skills.
  • Experience working across international or multi-office environments.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
  • Knowledge of legal recruitment systems and applicant tracking platforms is advantageous.

What's on Offer

  • Immediate start opportunity.
  • High-profile role within a respected international organisation.
  • Exposure to senior stakeholders across EMEA.
  • Broad remit covering both recruitment and professional development.
  • Collaborative and supportive team environment.
  • Competitive salary and benefits package.

Location: London (hybrid working)
Contract: 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract
Start Date: ASAP

If you are an experienced legal talent or professional development specialist looking for your next challenge and are available to start quickly, we'd love to hear from you.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to all enquiries. If you have not received a response within 72 hours, please assume you have not been shortlisted at this stage, however thank you for taking the time to apply.

Ryder Reid Legal is a recruitment specialist. For over thirty years we've been connecting legal talent with many of the leading law firms in London and internationally. Follow our LinkedIn page for the latest vacancies.

Manager, Legal Recruiting & Professional Development (EMEA) employer: Ryder Reid Legal Ltd

As a leading recruitment specialist in the legal sector, Ryder Reid Legal offers an exceptional work environment that values collaboration and professional growth. Located in the vibrant City of London, employees benefit from a dynamic culture that encourages innovation and excellence, alongside opportunities for skill development in a fast-paced industry. Joining our team means being part of a supportive network dedicated to connecting top talent with prestigious law firms, making your role both meaningful and rewarding.

Ryder Reid Legal Ltd

Contact Details:

Ryder Reid Legal Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Manager, Legal Recruiting & Professional Development (EMEA)

Get Your Foot in the Door with Temp Agencies

Temporary roles in HR are often filled through agencies. Reach out to temp agencies that specialise in HR placements. They can help you find gigs quickly and give you a chance to demonstrate your skills in real-world scenarios.

Network at HR Events and Workshops

Dive into local HR events, workshops, and seminars. These are great opportunities to meet professionals already in the field and might lead to temporary positions. Be sure to have a chat, exchange contacts, and express your interest in on-the-spot opportunities!

Showcase Your Flexibility

In the temporary HR world, being adaptable is key. When you're networking or interviewing, highlight your ability to quickly learn and fill diverse roles, from recruitment to employee onboarding. Make it clear that you’re ready to dive in at any time!

Apply Directly Through Our Website

Don’t forget to check out the opportunities at Ryder Reid Legal Ltd and apply directly via our website. This way, you can express your interest in temporary roles and get ahead in the application process!

We think you need these skills to ace Manager, Legal Recruiting & Professional Development (EMEA)

Legal Recruitment
Graduate Recruitment
Talent Development
Professional Development
Stakeholder Management
Project Management
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your People Skills:In HR, showcasing your interpersonal skills is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you have dealing with talent management, resolving conflicts, or facilitating workshops. We want to see your ability to connect with others!

Tailor Your CV to HR:Use HR-specific language in your CV and cover letter. Mention any specific HR tools, software, or methodologies you’re familiar with, like ATS systems or performance management frameworks. This will show that you’re not just a good fit, but you've got the know-how to back it up!

Emphasise Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, emphasising your adaptability and willingness to learn quickly is crucial. Include examples of how you've successfully jumped into new environments before or handled sudden changes in previous jobs. We love a team player who can hit the ground running!

Availability Matters:In your application, make sure to clarify your availability and commitment to the temporary position. This will help us understand when you can start and how you fit into our plans at Ryder Reid Legal Ltd. So, don’t be shy about laying it all out there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ryder Reid Legal Ltd

Showcase Your Adaptability

Given that this is a temporary HR role at Ryder Reid Legal Ltd, it's crucial to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to adapt quickly. You might be thrown into new projects or systems, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated changes in past roles.

Familiarise Yourself with HR Tools

Many HR positions require familiarity with tools like HRIS or ATS systems. Before the interview, brush up on the specific software that Ryder Reid Legal Ltd uses—if you see any mentioned in the job posting, make sure you're ready to discuss them and your experience with similar tools.

Your Motivation Matters

As a temp, it's essential to convey your motivation for this role. Employers often look for candidates who are not just filling a position, but who are genuinely keen on contributing effectively in a short period. Consider sharing why you’re passionate about HR and how you see yourself adding value at Ryder Reid Legal Ltd.

Prepare for Real-World Scenarios

HR interviews often include situational questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about common HR challenges, like dealing with conflict or managing onboarding efficiently, and prepare to discuss how you would handle these situations at Ryder Reid Legal Ltd.