Senior Talent Acquisition Manager

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. 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.

Team Structure

The HR function comprises approximately 45 people globally and is responsible for the effective management of all matters concerning attraction, recruitment, engagement, retention, development and progression of our people. This involves guiding and supporting partners, managers and all employees alike, as well as supporting the creation of an inclusive and diverse environment, enabling our people to thrive. The Talent Acquisition team sits alongside the Lateral Partner Recruitment team, within the HR function, working closely together to provide seamless recruitment support to this ambitious, growing firm.

Main Responsibilities

Based in London and working closely with the Global Head of Talent Acquisition, you will be a hands‑on recruiter with responsibility for the end‑to‑end recruitment of both legal and business‑services staff. You will oversee and manage the day‑to‑day operational delivery of the talent acquisition team of approximately four people, taking the lead on recruitment for HR, various senior hires across all populations and certain practice areas/business‑services teams. You will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with partners, senior stakeholders and business‑services C‑suite/heads of business, and other colleagues, to provide high‑quality, proactive advice, guidance and recommendations on recruitment attraction, assessment and selection options. You will be a trusted advisor across the firm on all recruitment matters. You will be responsible for leading and supporting key projects to drive forward the talent acquisition priorities and wider firm strategy.

Attributes / Skills Required Experience

• Previous experience in a recruitment/talent acquisition manager or senior manager role within a law firm or professional services sector; extensive experience of the talent acquisition life cycle, with a commercial and pragmatic approach and demonstrable experience in implementing modern and simple approaches.
• Strong people‑management experience, delivered in a fair and proactive manner, with experience of supporting teams through change and understanding of the complexities that HR/recruitment work generates, and the ability to bring teams together.
• Extensive subject‑matter expertise in areas including direct sourcing and headhunting, attraction and assessment, interviewing and offer management.
• A service‑oriented and commercially focused approach, supported by strong communication and presentation skills.

Attributes

• Strong organisational and project‑management skills and excellent attention to detail.
• High credibility and ability to influence at all levels, particularly with senior stakeholders.
• Resilient and pragmatic, with the ability to respond quickly to requests, manage time and stakeholders effectively, and to work and stay calm under pressure.
• Results‑focused with a positive "can do" attitude.
• Analytical with strong ability to create, manipulate and interpret management information and data.
• Experience of identifying and delivering process and service improvement.
• In‑depth knowledge of current and future talent trends and up‑to‑date legislation.

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 are 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 and Infrastructure, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade. With more than 1,500 people, including over 250 partners, across 11 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.