Job Description

Main information

Closing date

05/01/2026

Term type

Contract

Duration

12 month FTC

Reports to

Rachel Charlton

Team

Talent Acquisition

Location

Birmingham or Manchester

The role

We're looking for a dynamic and experienced

Talent Acquisition Manager

to join us on a

12-month fixed-term contract

, where you'll play a central role in shaping our recruitment activity and strategy across legal divisions and Business Services.


Acting as the first point of contact for all non-Partner hiring, you'll lead the allocation of roles and speculative applications across our Experienced Hire TA team, while managing your own portfolio of high-impact recruitment--from Assistant/Paralegal to Partner/Director. This is a unique opportunity to bring your legal recruitment expertise, including Partner-level hiring, to a role that blends strategic delivery with operational excellence, all aligned to our firm's ambitious growth and people agenda.

The team

The Talent Acquisition team, part of the People Directorate at Shoosmiths consists of Experienced Hire and Emerging Talent. This role sits in the Experienced Hire team which is responsible for implementing the firm's progressive talent acquisition strategy, supporting the firm's growth ambitions to excel in our chosen markets and become a leading mid-market law firm by 2030. We manage roles from Apprentice level to Partner and Director level. The team is responsible for the entire recruitment life cycle for the firm from approval to recruit through to offer. We partner with Hiring managers across all divisions to deliver a valued, responsive and seamless service to our stakeholder clients and candidates. We are passionate about our role as brand ambassadors for the firm and delivering an excellent candidate experience to all applicants.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment and Talent Acquisition


Manage a caseload of recruitment from Apprentice/Paralegal to Director/Partner level, including sourcing, interviewing, and hiring top talent with a focus on senior level recruitment of Partners or equivalent. Develop and implement strategic recruitment plans appropriate to meet the firm's staffing needs and goals. Establish yourself as a key point of contact and ambassador for the TA team and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including hiring managers and external recruitment agencies. Utilise various sourcing methods (including job boards, social media, and networking events) to attract a diverse pool of candidates and exemplify best practice on LinkedIn. Prepare high quality adverts and seek to innovate when it comes to marketing our roles. Facilitate thorough interviews and assessments to identify candidates who meet the firm's requirements and culture. Ensure we create an excellent candidate experience as a TA team. Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in recruitment and talent acquisition. Provide insights on talent market trends, salary benchmarking, and competitor activity to inform recruitment strategies. Champion fair and unbiased recruitment practices, ensuring diverse talent pipelines and inclusive hiring strategies.

Management and Coordination


Act as the first point of contact for all non-Partner vacancies, including Legal and Business Services roles. Occupy a position of influence in the TA team, set an example in your ways of working and collaboration with other teams Record and manage all incoming role requirements, ensuring accurate and timely documentation. Coordinate with hiring managers to understand their staffing needs and provide relevant recruitment support. Allocate work to the recruiters in the talent acquisition team based on workload and expertise. Monitor and track the progress of all open vacancies, providing regular updates to stakeholders. Produce external salary benchmarking and competitor analysis. Ensure compliance with firm policies and legal requirements throughout the recruitment process. Take a central role in managing PSL review for Legal and Business Services. People Management of TA team members, 2 Senior Talent Acquisition Specialists and TA Assistant

Continuous Improvement and Innovation


Act as a lead point of contact on process and process improvement for the TA team; Continuously review and improve recruitment processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Promote knowledge sharing within the team to foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. Where appropriate, leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to streamline recruitment operations and improve candidate sourcing and assessment strategies. Together with the Senior TA Manager, develop regular recruitment reports and metrics to senior leadership, demonstrating progress and identifying areas for improvement.

Qualifications and Requirements


Minimum of 5 years of experience in legal recruitment, either from agency or in-house roles but ideally with in-house experience; Proven track record of successfully recruiting for senior-level positions in law firms up to Partner level; Strong knowledge of recruitment best practices and sourcing techniques; Ability to influence team members and stakeholders; Leadership qualities to motivate and influence the TA team; Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders at all levels; Highly organised and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines; Proficiency in using recruitment software and applicant tracking systems (ATS); Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment; Proactive and results-driven, with a strong commitment to achieving recruitment goals.

Equal opportunities

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.


This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.