Full job description

Early Careers & Professional Development Specialist
London | Hybrid Working (3 Days in Office)


A leading international law firm is seeking an Early Careers & Professional Development Specialistto join their HR team on a temporary basis, with the opportunity for the role to become permanent for the right candidate. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Early Careers professional to take ownership of the firm’s graduate recruitment and development strategy and play a key role in shaping the future talent pipeline.


Reporting into the senior HR leadership team, the successful candidate will lead the Early Careers function, overseeing the attraction, recruitment, development and engagement of future trainees and graduates, while also providing support across wider Professional Development initiatives.


Key Responsibilities
*Lead and manage the firm’s Early Careers programme.
*Oversee the full graduate recruitment lifecycle, including attraction, assessment, selection and onboarding.
*Drive trainee and graduate development initiatives, ensuring a high-quality experience throughout their journey with the firm.
*Build and maintain strong relationships with universities, student societies and external partners.
*Support the Professional Development team with wider learning and development initiatives.
*Manage key stakeholder relationships across HR and the business, advising on Early Careers strategy and best practice.
*Monitor market trends and competitor activity to ensure the firm remains competitive in attracting top talent.
About You
*Proven experience in an Early Careers, Graduate Recruitment or Emerging Talent role, ideally within a law firm or professional services environment.
*Strong knowledge of graduate recruitment and trainee development programmes.
*Experience managing recruitment campaigns and assessment processes.
*Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
*Commercially minded, proactive and able to work independently in a standalone capacity.
*Passionate about developing future legal talent and enhancing the candidate experience.
If you are an experienced Early Careers professional looking for an opportunity to make a real impact within a prestigious law firm, we’d love to hear from you.


Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to all enquiries. If you have not received a response within 72 hours, please assume you have not been shortlisted at this stage, however thank you for taking the time to apply.

Ryder Reid Legal is a recruitment specialist. For over thirty years we’ve been connecting legal talent with many of the leading law firms in London and internationally. Follow our LinkedIn page for the latest vacancies.