Job Description

Experience level: Intermediate


Term: Contract


Duration: 12 month FTC


Working hours: Full-time


Team: Talent Acquisition


Location: Birmingham or Manchester


The role

We are seeking a proactive and versatile Talent Acquisition Specialist to join our team in Manchester or Birmingham on a 12 month Fixed Term Contract to manage a varied recruitment caseload across all office locations from Paralegal/Assistant up to Director/Partner level.


We would love to hear from you if you're an experienced recruiter with legal experience and the skills and attributes outlined below. You will join a close-knit team working within an autonomous Talent Acquisition function with the chance to run your own legal and business services recruitment. You will have the opportunity to build strong relationships with stakeholders and act as a trusted advisor, supporting the firm to deliver its ambitious strategy and growth plans. Please note, this role can be at Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist level, depending on experience.

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.

The Firm

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world's most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve 'Platinum Standard' Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.


We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.


To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment and Talent Acquisition

Manage a busy caseload of recruitment, both advertised and speculative from Paralegal/Assistant positions up to Partner or Director level across all office locations. Support the development and implementation of strategic recruitment plans to meet the firm's staffing needs and goals. Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including hiring managers to influence optimum outcomes. Maintain and build the relationships with recruitment agencies and support the wider team PSL reviews and agency meetings. Utilise various sourcing methods (including job boards, social media, and networking events) to attract a diverse pool of candidates. Facilitate thorough interviews and assessments to identify candidates who meet the organisation's requirements and culture. Ensure an excellent candidate experience. 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. Implement inclusive recruitment strategies, leveraging diverse sourcing channels, and fostering partnerships with organisations that support underrepresented groups to ensure a diverse talent pipeline.

Reporting and Coordination

Monitor and track the progress of all your open vacancies, providing regular updates to stakeholders. Produce external salary benchmarking and competitor analysis. Ensure compliance with company policies and legal requirements throughout the recruitment process.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

Support process improvement initiatives for the TA team. Continuously review and improve recruitment processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Role in delivering projects/champion one of our strategic enablers. Promote knowledge sharing within the team to foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. Where possible, leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies to streamline recruitment operations and improve candidate sourcing and assessment strategies. Assist in developing and presenting 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 recruitment, in an agency or in-house role. Proven track record of successfully recruiting a range of roles from junior to senior level. Demonstrable track record of direct sourcing and managing end to end recruitment processes. Strong knowledge of recruitment best practices and sourcing techniques. 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 team goals. Proven experience in championing fair and unbiased recruitment practices, ensuring diverse talent pipelines and inclusive hiring techniques. Existing network in the legal / recruitment sector would be advantageous.


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.


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