Early Careers & Professional Development Specialist

About the role

A leading international law firm is seeking an Early Careers & Professional Development Specialist to join its HR team on a temporary, full‑time basis with the potential to become permanent. The role will own the graduate recruitment and development strategy, shaping the future talent pipeline for the firm.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the firm’s Early Careers programme, overseeing the full graduate recruitment lifecycle from attraction to onboarding.
• Design and deliver development initiatives for trainees and graduates to ensure a high‑quality experience throughout their tenure.
• Build and maintain relationships with universities, student societies and external partners to strengthen the talent pipeline.
• Collaborate with the Professional Development team on broader learning and development projects.
• Advise senior HR and business stakeholders on Early Careers strategy, market trends and competitor activity.

Required profile

• Proven experience in Early Careers, graduate recruitment or emerging talent, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Strong knowledge of graduate recruitment and trainee development programmes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities.
• Commercially minded, proactive and capable of working independently.
• Passion for developing future legal talent and enhancing candidate experience.

Required skills