The Senior Manager for DLA Piper’s Law& International Flexible Talent will play a crucial role in the design, strategic growth and development of our offering. We are a scaling business and looking for someone to play a significant role in the next phase of growth.

You will continue to evolve our global end-to-end recruitment framework, from sourcing and screening candidates to conducting interviews and facilitating the onboarding process.

The Senior Manager is a client facing role. You will collaborate closely with hiring managers, department heads, and the Head of Operations (HoOs) to gain a deep understanding of staffing requirements. Your focus will be on developing effective fulfilment strategies that attract and deliver high-calibre candidates who not only meet our recruitment standards but also embody our firm culture and values.

You will support with winning work from prospective clients and driving the adoption and utilisation of flexible legal resource within the global DLA Piper business.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design and deliver our talent attraction strategy to ensure a constant flow of high-quality Flexible Talent consultants into the talent pipeline to meet client demand. Implementation of recruitment frameworks primarily in the UK and in the future, across multiple jurisdictions.
• Managing the end-to-end recruitment process to ensure it is efficient and fit for purpose for the changing needs of the business as well as working with the team to adapt and improve. This includes screening applications, conducting interviews, coordinating Partner feedback, assessing and deciding on candidates’ suitability, making offers, obtaining references, working closely with onboarding and developing deployment plans.
• Partner with senior hiring managers to understand their flexible staffing needs and design bespoke resourcing solutions.
• Develop and execute effective sourcing strategies to identify and attract quality candidates through various channels, including job boards, social media, and professional networks. To some extent, managing relationships with agencies, including negotiating terms and conditions.
• Coordinate and schedule interviews with hiring managers, ensuring a positive candidate experience throughout the process. Advise on best practice interview processes to ensure hiring Managers are assessing candidates' qualifications and skills.
• Review and monitor onboarding and induction activities to ensure they are compliant, efficient and fit for purpose.
• Manage candidate communication and keep them informed about the status of their application.
• Manage and support individuals whilst on engagement.
• Search and matching on active client sales opportunities to identify and match suitable Flexible Talent consultants to client needs. Invested to support Flexible Talent consultants find great opportunities and the business achieve its client sale targets.
• Work with the wider DLA Piper business to provide holistic, cost-effective solutions and services to clients thereby driving revenue and building reputation in the marketplace.
• Support growing and building the Flexible Talent consultant community and to enhance the consultant experience, including through events, benefits, training and other initiatives.
• Contribute to build mode for our growth business. Work as a collaborative team player providing cover or additional capacity as well as support the ongoing development and streamlining of the team’s processes and systems. Undertaking other wider team projects and priorities where so required.

About you

• Proven end-to-end recruitment experience within the professional services sector in a quality high touch environment working in-house or agency. Preferable to have experience in comparable legal services platform with knowledge of engagement models and relevant legislation such as IR35, AWR, FTC regulations, although not essential.
• A strategic thinker, capable of shaping business strategy, developing plans, analysing data, and forming clear plans of action to help our business achieve its goals.
• An excellent interviewer who has a commercial mindset and strong emotional intelligence to deliver a recruitment process that is effective, seamless and professional. A part of this is the ability to deliver difficult messages and manage expectations appropriately.
• Ability to drive consistency and quality throughout all processes as well as adopt new search methodologies for analysing and assessing talent.
• Experience recruiting across UK locations (working with local teams where required).
• A natural networker, skilled at building relationships. Confident, articulate and comfortable to engage with a range of Flexible Talent professionals, DLA Piper Partners, clients and other stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritise, multitask, and work in a fast-paced and demanding environment with changing priorities, sustaining exceptional attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Strong commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality as well as delivering exceptional client service.
• A focus on recruiting to positively impact diversity and inclusion, including the ability to ensure ethical hiring decisions, without bias. Commercial and pragmatic approach to deliver outcomes with integrity and to the highest standards.
• Entrepreneurial outlook, driven by continuous improvement and enthusiasm to utilise technology platforms to excel in our delivery.
• Collaborative and committed team player who is energised to contribute to building a team and a revised offering to the market.
• Confident to be an ambassador for our brand and raise profile.
• Familiarity and compliant use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and HR software.
• Experience working in a complex, matrix environment.

About us

We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre-engagement screening checks prior to your first day.

At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long-term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre-Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre-engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career.

Staying in touch with like-minded people is important to us.Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm.

We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.