Senior Talent Acquisition Manager (12-Month Fixed Term Contract)

London / Hybrid

A leading professional services firm is seeking a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager to join its People & Culture team on a 12-month maternity cover contract, starting in December 2025.

This is a unique opportunity to work within a highly specialised and profitable sector that blends consulting innovation and technology. The firm operates in a partnership model, with practice groups of trainees, associates, and partners supported by expert business services teams.

The Role

Reporting to the People & Culture Director, the successful individual will lead the Talent Acquisition & Development team, overseeing strategic hiring, onboarding, training, and employer branding initiatives. The role combines hands-on recruitment with strategic planning and leadership, supporting the firm’s ambitious five-year growth strategy.

You’ll manage two direct reports and work closely with senior stakeholders across the business to ensure the firm attracts, retains, and develops top talent at all levels-from graduate trainees to senior professionals.

The three key areas include; lateral recruitment management, overseeing the early careers function, and people development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Talent Acquisition & Development team, ensuring high performance and alignment with strategic goals.
• Manage all lateral hiring for fee earners and senior business support roles, overseeing the full recruitment lifecycle with a strong focus on candidate experience.
• Drive direct hiring initiatives and employer branding efforts to reduce reliance on external agencies while maintaining strong partnerships.
• Set strategic direction for early careers recruitment and development, supporting the delivery of market-leading trainee pathways and exam support.
• Oversee junior recruitment and development through coaching and support of the Talent Acquisition Assistant.
• Lead key programmes including employee recognition schemes and technical training courses for junior professionals.
• Champion diversity and inclusion initiatives, including external access programmes and inclusive hiring practices.
• Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders, providing market insights and strategic recommendations.
• Support firm-wide learning and development programmes, liaising with providers and managing internal communications.

Key Projects

• Design and implement updated agency terms and recruitment processes aligned with the firm’s strategic vision.
• Represent the firm on industry-wide apprenticeship initiatives, contributing to the development of new career pathways.
• Enhance the firm’s careers page and social media presence to strengthen its employer brand.
• Support the rollout of a new expectations framework across all employee populations.

The client is looking for an experienced recruitment and development professional with a passion for building high-performing teams and delivering strategic talent initiatives. You thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy working collaboratively to drive change.

You’ll bring:

• A strong track record in lateral and early careers recruitment within HR or People & Culture teams.
• Proven experience managing and mentoring teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Commercial awareness, ideally within the legal or professional services sector.
• Creativity and strategic thinking in designing new processes and initiatives.
• Experience with ATS and LMS systems.
• CIPD qualification (preferred).

Why Join?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of talent in a firm that values innovation, inclusion, and excellence. You’ll be part of a forward-thinking People & Culture team that plays a central role in delivering strategic change and supporting career development across the business.

The SR Group (UK) Limited is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.