HR Manager (Legal - Traniees) in City of London

• Human Resources Manager (Trainees)
• Location –
• London - Liverpool St Station
• Hours -

9am to 5.30pm. This is a hybrid role. A minimum of 4 days in the office during probation (3-months).

Salary

• up to £65k DOE
• Start Date
• ASAP
• Industry -
• Law Firm (must have experience working in a law firm)
• Background

Our client is a well-established, full-service professional services organisation with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality advice to a diverse client base.

The organisation is committed to developing future talent and providing an exceptional early careers experience through a structured Trainee Solicitor Programme and Vacation Scheme.

Job Purpose

To lead and develop the Trainee Solicitor Programme, overseeing the trainee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding through to qualification, ensuring a high-quality, compliant, and well-managed training experience.

The role will also lead the delivery of the Vacation Scheme and provide broader HR generalist support, working collaboratively as part of the wider HR team.

Key Responsibilities

• Trainee Solicitor Strategy
• Partner closely with the Training Principal to ensure the effective delivery and continuous development of the Trainee Solicitor Programme.
• Act as the key point of contact for all matters relating to training contracts and the trainee lifecycle.
• Build strong working relationships with key stakeholders including Heads of Department, Supervisors, Recruitment and HR teams.
• Liaise with external agencies, professional bodies and relevant organisations to promote the training contract offering and employer brand.
• Support participation in industry surveys, benchmarking exercises and research activities.
• Attend relevant events, seminars and webinars to remain informed of developments in trainee recruitment, development and qualification.
• Benchmark trainee processes and programmes against comparable organisations and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Review and enhance the trainee strategy to ensure alignment with current and future business needs.
• Monitor regulatory and market developments and advise on implications for the trainee programme.
• Maintain accurate programme records and management information, using insight and feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Recruitment, Onboarding and Induction
• Work with business leaders to understand current and future trainee requirements.
• Support the end-to-end trainee recruitment process, including advertising, shortlisting, psychometric testing, interviews, assessment centres and offer management.
• Ensure unsuccessful candidates receive timely and constructive feedback.
• Maintain engagement with future trainees from offer acceptance through to start date.
• Coordinate onboarding activities and ensure all pre-employment requirements are completed.
• Design and deliver a comprehensive trainee induction programme.
• Manage trainee mentor and buddy schemes.
• Evaluate onboarding and induction effectiveness and implement improvements where required.
• Trainee Solicitor and Training Contract Management
• Ensure compliance with Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requirements and maintain awareness of regulatory developments.
• Maintain accurate records relating to training contracts, seat rotations, study leave, performance and qualification.
• Provide guidance and support to trainees throughout their training contracts.
• Advise managers on employee relations, performance, conduct and absence matters.
• Manage sickness absence and other leave processes, including family leave arrangements.
• Coordinate trainee seat rotations, balancing development needs with business requirements.
• Support trainees with career planning and seat selection.
• Manage appraisal processes and ensure meaningful performance feedback is delivered.
• Monitor trainee performance, engagement and wellbeing, escalating issues where appropriate.
• Provide coaching and support to supervisors to ensure effective trainee development.
• Coordinate professional skills and qualification programmes.
• Oversee SQE sponsorship, study leave and examination processes.
• Identify and coordinate development opportunities to support trainees' technical and professional growth.
• Analyse engagement and feedback data and recommend improvements to the trainee experience.
• Qualification
• Manage the Newly Qualified (NQ) recruitment and qualification process.
• Engage with trainees and business leaders to understand qualification preferences and future resourcing needs.
• Coordinate qualification timelines, applications, interviews and offers.
• Ensure a fair, transparent and consistent qualification process.
• Provide guidance and support throughout qualification, including for unsuccessful candidates.
• Organise qualification events to celebrate trainee achievements.
• Manage qualification leave and associated administrative requirements.
• Support admission and practising certificate applications.
• Ensure all qualification records are maintained accurately.
• Facilitate a smooth transition from trainee to qualified solicitor.
• Vacation Scheme
• Lead the delivery of the annual Vacation Scheme.
• Support the recruitment process for Vacation Scheme participants.
• Coordinate onboarding and department allocations.
• Design and deliver a structured programme providing insight into the organisation and legal career opportunities.
• Ensure participants receive appropriate training, support and meaningful work experience.
• Coordinate presentations, workshops, networking opportunities and social events.
• Oversee assessment and feedback processes.
• Gather and analyse feedback from scheme participants and stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate records and management information.
• Evaluate scheme effectiveness and recommend enhancements for future programmes.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

• Degree educated, with a 2:1 or above (or equivalent).
• CIPD Level 7 qualified or currently studying towards qualification.
• Minimum three years' experience within a legal or professional services environment.
• Experience supporting Trainee Solicitors through induction, seat rotations, performance management and qualification processes.
• Knowledge of both traditional Training Contracts and the SQE route to qualification.
• Experience designing and delivering assessment centres and Vacation Schemes.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Outlook, Excel and Word.
• Sound knowledge of HR best practice and HR strategy.
• Commercially minded with a focus on delivering results.
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for improvement and implement effective solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to process compliance.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated, proactive and highly organised.