Future Talent Adviser

What We Will Offer

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can gain early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

YOU CAN EXPECT

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• We support the causes you care about, by giving you one day per year off to volunteer with any charity that you are involved with outside of work.
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
• Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
• We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

Team Structure

The post holder will report to the Future Talent Manager and work closely with the Senior Future Talent Manager and wider HR team. They will line manage the Future Talent Assistant. They will develop relationships with partners and colleagues across the business. The HR, Talent Development And Responsible Business Department Comprises Over 50 People Globally And Is Responsible For The Effective Management Of All Matters Concerning The Attraction, Engagement, Development, Progression And Retention Of Our People. We Play a Key Role In Creating a Diverse And Inclusive Environment Where All Of Our People Can Do Their Best Work And Realise Their Full Potential To The Benefit Of The Firm And Themselves.

We Are Involved In a Wide Range Of Activities Including:

• Implementing the firm's people and talent strategy
• Recruitment of partners and employees, including early careers (trainee and apprentice) talent recruitment and development
• Talent and career management
• Reward strategy and salary review
• Supporting the performance management process

Future Talent Recruitment

The Future Talent Adviser Will Play a Vital Role In Attracting And Recruiting The Next Generation Of Talent For The Firm. Responsibilities Include:

• Line Managing the Future Talent Assistant to Organise and Coordinate Recruitment Events: Plan, coordinate, and actively participate in vacation schemes, open days, insight sessions, skills workshops, and law fairs. This includes liaising with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring smooth event execution, and representing the firm at recruitment events.
• Application Screening and Assessment Centre Coordination: Along with the rest of the Future Talent team, conduct initial screening of applications and provide support in the administration and coordination of assessment centres. This includes scheduling candidates, assisting with logistics, and ensuring a seamless experience for participants. Additionally, communicate outcomes to candidates, including offers and rejections, in a professional and timely manner.
• Social Media Content Creation: Assist in the creation and coordination of social media content to promote the firm’s future talent initiatives, ensuring engagement with target audiences and alignment with the firm’s brand strategy.

Future Talent Development

The Future Talent Adviser will support the development and onboarding of future talent, helping them transition smoothly into the firm. Key responsibilities include:

• Onboarding and Pre-Employment Activities: Line managing the Future Talent assistant to facilitate onboarding processes for future trainees and solicitor apprentices, including ensuring timely payment of SQE grants, organising pre-employment events, and building relationships with future talent to provide a welcoming and supportive environment.
• HR Generalist Support: Provide day-to-day HR support for future talent throughout the employee lifecycle. This includes monitoring sickness and other absences, tracking seat reviews, and ensuring compliance with HR policies. This also includes supporting the Future Talent Manager and Senior Manager on ER cases for trainee solicitor and solicitor apprentices, and managing workplace adjustments for incoming and current early talent.
• Supporting Key Processes: Lead processes related to new joiners and their inductions, lead the bi-annual seat rotation process (including seat allocation and co-ordinating logistics for international and client secondments), NQ (newly qualified solicitor) transitions, and admission to the Roll of Solicitors. This includes liaising with relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth transitions and compliance with professional requirements.
• HR Information System Maintenance: Maintain accurate records for trainees and solicitor apprentices in the firm’s HR system, WorkDay, ensuring compliance with internal policies and data protection regulations.

Policies, Knowhow, And Developing The HR Function

The Future Talent Adviser will contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of HR processes and documentation. Responsibilities include:

• Document Creation and Maintenance: Develop and maintain standard HR documents, know-how, and guidance materials to ensure consistency and accuracy across the department.
• Project Participation: Actively participate in firm-wide and departmental projects aligned with the firm’s strategy. Balance day-to-day responsibilities with project work, contributing ideas and supporting the implementation of new initiatives.
• Regulation and Practice Updates: Keep up-to-date with changes in regulations and best practices affecting future talent recruitment and development, ensuring compliance and alignment with industry standards.

Working With Others

The role requires collaboration within the HR team and across the firm more widely, as well as engagement with external stakeholders to support best practices in future talent recruitment and development.

• External Networking and Forums: Build relationships and enhance the firm’s presence at external networks and forums to stay informed on best practices in recruitment and HR.
• Contributing Ideas and Improvements: Share ideas, contribute to team know-how, and suggest improvements to processes and initiatives to ensure the continuous development of the HR function.
• Team Collaboration: Actively contribute to the development of the Future Talent team and the wider HR team by sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues, and participating in team-building initiatives.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Strong organisational and time management skills, including ability to handle multiple processes simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Strong interest in early careers development and the trainee/apprentice lifecycle.
• Enthusiasm for supporting the recruitment and development of future talent.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and build relationships across the business.
• Proactive and adaptable approach to work, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Professionalism, sound judgement and resilience.
• Eager to develop line management skills and has the ability to coach and support a junior team member.
• Calm and resourceful under pressure; able to handle sensitive issues (e.g. performance, ER matters) with discretion and maturity.
• Demonstrates sound judgement and a high degree of integrity in all interactions.
• Genuine interest in social mobility and widening access to the legal profession, with a passion for working with young people and making a positive impact.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm’s strategy and business needs.

About The Firm

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world. Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade. With more than 1,500 people, including 250+ partners, across eleven offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries. We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.