ROLE OVERVIEW
The team
Our award winning Early Talent Team is part of the People & Talent Development Department.
Recognised for the high quality of our training programme, our commitment to our DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging), an engaging summer scheme, peer support and the approachability of our partners, this is an exciting time to join the RPC team as we begin a series of strategic projects to shape the future of Early Talent at RPC.
We welcome applications from both London and Bristol candidates but there is a requirement for regular time to be spent in the London office.
The role
We are looking for an Early Talent Manager to lead the UK Early Talent function. You will be responsible for delivering the Early Talent strategy to support the growth of the firm through the successful recruitment, management, development and qualification of trainee solicitors and solicitor apprentices.
Working with the Training Principal, Apprentice Champion Partner and the wider partnership, you will demonstrate skill in senior stakeholder management. You will have a passion for the development of Early Talent, with a focus on DEIB and unlocking the potential of next generation lawyers.
You will be responsible for managing and developing the Early Talent team including the Early Talent Executive (based in Bristol) and Early Talent Assistant (based in London).
Reports to
Senior Manager, People Projects and Early Talent
Responsibilities include:
Recruitment
- Design and oversee the implementation of the UK Early Talent recruitment campaign, including attending both in-person and virtual events as a firm representative and delivering presentations and skills sessions where required.
- Manage strategic aspects of employer branding for the firm's UK Early Talent marketing campaign. This includes promotional materials (adverts, video content and merchandise), website and social media content, external media and publication partnerships, and our virtual experience programmes.
- Develop existing and new relationships with external consultants, suppliers and third-party organisations including the firm's diversity partnerships.
- Manage the selection and offer process for solicitor apprenticeships, summer schemes, training contracts and 10,000 Black Interns applications. This involves screening applications, running assessment centres, interviewing, managing selection decisions and overseeing offer paperwork.
- Design and project manage the summer schemes and 10,000 Black Interns work experience programmes.
Development
- Lead on the development and delivery of the people advisory service to trainees and solicitor apprentices. This will include, but is not limited to; seat allocation, client and international secondments, trainee forum management, talent review meetings, performance reviews and the NQ process.
- Responsible for all employee relations and welfare issues within UK Early Talent (including future and current solicitor apprentices and trainees). This includes sickness, performance management, conduct and disciplinary issues, grievances and contract changes.
- Oversee any training needs analysis as required and work with the Learning & Development team to develop and implement training programmes.
- Pre-joining programme - work with the Learning & Development team to organise pre-joining events for future trainee and solicitor apprentice intakes (currently 4 events per annum).
- New starter programme - support the Learning & Development team with the preparation of any People elements of the trainee and solicitor apprentice induction annually in September.
- Is the main point of Early Talent contact for the SRA and keeps up to date with any changes to ensure that all regulatory requirements are met and supported appropriately.
- Deliver strategic Early Talent and People projects when appropriate.
People Operations
- Expert user of online recruitment systems (CVMail, RARE CRS, Watson Glaser, TopScore) to process candidates through the various stages of their application (submission, form updates, tracking firm contacts, communications, testing, interview scheduling, assisting with offers, reporting).
- Supervise the Early Talent team to manage the starter/leaver/seat move/secondment/qualification process including paperwork and system updates (Success Factors).
- Oversee loan, bursary and maintenance payments for future trainee intakes and welcome bonus for apprentices as well as payments for incoming summer scheme students.
- Responsible for approving offer paperwork, references, firm updates, invites to pre-joining events and pre-joining instructions.
- Responsible for managing the Early Talent budget.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging
- Work with the Responsible Business team to deliver on the firm's DEIB strategy, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to support and implement this. Currently our partnerships and initiatives include 10,000 Black interns, Aspiring Solicitors, Bright Network, BIUCAC, Rare Recruitment, Forage, Connectr, My G Work, SEO, Social Mobility Foundation, Social Mobility Index, Disability Confident Employer.
- Keep abreast of market trends in relation to Early Talent and DEIB and make recommendations for improvement.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Demonstrates a growth mindset and is committed to lifelong learning to build knowledge and expertise.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- Previous Early Talent experience at Manager level within professional services, ideally in a law firm.
- Develops and influences internal and external client relationships and adopts a client-centric approach to deliver strong results and innovative solutions.
- Has effective communication skills (oral and written).
- Demonstrates strong attention to detail.
- Manages people, resources, budgets and projects efficiently and commercially, with the ability to adapt to change.
- A collaborative and influential leader within a team who coaches and develops junior team members to achieve their full potential.
- Demonstrates a high level of confidentiality and integrity.
- Committed to being part of a supportive, inclusive and collaborative firm culture.
Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
We are problem solvers. Whether in front of clients or behind the scenes. To solve problems creatively for clients, we need diverse collaborative thinking; drawing on different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives. That means that everyone who either applies to, or works for, the firm is treated equitably. Webelieve in removing barriers to equal access not least because our people define us and define what we do. If you need support and adjustments to do your best work, whether that's during the recruitment process or throughout your time at RPC, we're here to help.
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