Taylor Wessing

Taylor Wessing is a global law firm that serves the world's most innovative people and businesses. Deeply embedded within our sectors, we work closely together with our clients to crack complex problems, enabling ideas and aspirations to thrive. Together we challenge expectation and create extraordinary results. By shaping the conversation in our sectors, we enable our clients to unlock growth, protect innovation and accelerate ambition.

With 1200+ lawyers, 300+ partners, 28 offices and 17 jurisdictions we are looking to expand our Talent Acquisition team, with the addition of a Early Talent Manager.

The opportunity for you

This role is offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract based at our London office, with occasional travel to Liverpool and Cambridge. The Early Talent team comprises a senior early talent manager, an early talent manager, an early talent advisor, and a coordinator. You will be responsible for providing first-class client service in all aspects of Solicitor Apprentice and Trainee Solicitor attraction, recruitment, and pastoral care during their seat rotations.

You will be a key member of our Early Talent team and play a critical role in the development of our solicitor apprentices and trainee solicitors.

Key responsibilities

Solicitor Apprenticeships

Manage and lead: Oversee our solicitor apprentice scheme in London and Liverpool.
Onboarding: Collaborate with our onboarding team to ensure a smooth transition from school to firm.
Levy Funds management: Manage and optimise the use of apprentice levy funds.
Training provider relationship: Develop and maintain relationships with our training provider, University of Law.
Seat rotations: Coordinate the annual seat rotation process for Solicitor Apprentices, considering business needs and SRA regulations.
Training needs: Work with our Talent Development team to meet individual and departmental training requirements and regulatory standards.
Supervision quality: Liaise with Solicitor Apprentice supervisors to ensure comprehensive and diverse training experiences.
Reporting & planning: Lead apprentice reporting, activity planning, and appraisals.

Trainee Solicitor programme

Lead and Manage: Oversee the welfare and development of 40 Trainee solicitors.
Seat rotations: Manage the Trainee Solicitor seat rotation process, considering business requirements and SRA regulations, including international and client secondments.
Training needs: Collaborate with our Talent Development team to ensure individual and departmental training needs, along with regulatory requirements, are met.
Supervision quality: Liaise with Trainee Solicitor supervisors to ensure comprehensive and varied training.
Reporting & planning: Lead trainee reporting, activity planning, and appraisals.
Programme standards: Work closely with our Graduate Partners to maintain high standards in our trainee programme.
Trainee Solicitor Council engagement: Engage with the Trainee Solicitor Council to support programme growth and address any issues raised.

Trainee Solicitor qualification

Qualification process: Manage the Trainee Solicitor qualification process to maximise retention rates and support those not staying with the firm upon qualification.
SRA administration and processes: Oversee all SRA paperwork and processes for admission to the roll, liaise with the SRA on queries, and stay updated on SRA regulations.

Future Trainee Solicitors

Welfare and development: Oversee the welfare and development of 40 future Trainee Solicitors from accepting a training contract offer to joining the firm, including engagement and support.
Law school relationship: Lead our relationship with the University of Law, ensuring high standards of training and education for future Trainee Solicitors and addressing any performance issues.
Visa process support: Assist with the visa process for future trainees before they join.

Recruitment, assessment and selection

Trainee Solicitor, vacation scheme, and Solicitor Apprentice selection: Support the selection processes by designing and participating in assessment centres, conducting interviews, and overseeing all offer-related administration including PGDL and SQE sponsorship arrangements.
Vacation schemes organisation: Oversee the organisation and planning of three annual vacation schemes, including their content, and collaborate with partners to make Training Contract decisions for vacation students.
Work experience programme: Lead the design and delivery of a work experience programme for Year 12 students.

Additional Responsibilities

Budget management: Manage budgets and monthly expenditure reporting.
Team liaison: Liaise with the wider Talent team, including our Talent Advisory, Responsible Business, and Talent Development teams.
Project involvement: Participate in ad hoc project work as required.

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

Proven leadership and managerial experience.
Demonstrated experience in an early talent role, ideally within a legal environment.
Ability to manage multiple programmes and projects concurrently.
Knowledge of Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and Level 7 Apprenticeships.
Excellent presentation and delivery skills.
Skilled in using Microsoft Office applications.
Experience with SAP (Success Factors): Desirable.

Interpersonal Skills

Excellent stakeholder management skills at a senior level with strong communication abilities.
Exceptional planning and organisational skills.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to bring new and innovative ideas to the team for the benefit of the firm.
Committed and enthusiastic approach.
Proven influencing and negotiating skills.
Professional manner: Confident yet approachable.
Ability to work effectively under pressure.
Proactive work ethic: Responsible, proactive, with an ability to work without direct supervision.
Flexible team player.

Benefits

Here are a select few benefits that Taylor Wessing offer;

Hybrid working (Offering the opportunity to work remotely, while maintaining a social boundary by working from our award-winning offices for 3 days a week)
Holiday (Our basic annual holiday entitlement starts at 25 days, with a further discretionary day of paid leave in December. You may also purchase up to five extra days each year (pro rata).
Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave (After one-year service, you are entitled to up to 26 weeks leave full pay if you or your partner give birth or adopt a child).

Along with these there are many more benefits we offer, with the addition of a comprehensive flexible benefits package available.

Our culture

Nurturing a diverse, inclusive culture allows all of our talent to flourish, sparks creativity and powers innovation. We continue to build a team that exemplifies inclusivity and reflects the firm's core values: creative, excellence, integrity, responsible, respect and team. We value and celebrate the differences in who we are, what we have experienced and how we think, so all candidates will be treated fairly regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, marital status, neurodiversity, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background.

The way we work

At Taylor Wessing, we never settle for average. We're creative thinkers, problem solvers and continuous learners who excel at what we do and believe our best work is still ahead of us. We are a firm that's large enough for you to achieve your ambitions, but connected enough to be a true community.

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Taylor Wessing UK

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