Legal Talent Acquisition Specialist (Temp-to-Hire)

Clifford Chance•Houston, TX

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Clifford Chance US LLP is seeking a temp-to-hire Legal Talent Acquisition Specialist focused on entry-level legal talent acquisition for our Houston office. This role will deliver effective, proactive, and efficient legal talent acquisition by partnering with the business to develop strategies and manage searches to meet the office’s primary entry-level hiring needs, with some involvement in lateral recruitment. The specialist will be responsible for driving sourcing strategies, building talent pipelines, designing recruitment campaigns, reviewing and shortlisting candidates, coordinating interviews, and managing offers and candidate feedback throughout the entry-level legal talent acquisition process in Houston, while also supporting select lateral hiring initiatives as needed.

Requirements

Minimum of 3+ years of progressive legal recruitment experience in a law firm or professional services environment, with a focus on entry-level recruitment strongly preferred.
Proven experience recruiting entry-level candidates in a highly competitive market, managing candidate and agency negotiations, and ensuring a best-in-class candidate experience.
Deep knowledge of recruitment methodology and candidate engagement, with a desire to challenge the status quo and innovate in entry-level hiring.
Ability to advise and guide hiring partners and entry-level candidates through the entire recruitment lifecycle with discretion and confidentiality.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to problem solve, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to build rapport and credibility with internal client groups while delivering results to meet entry-level hiring objectives.
Reliable, resourceful, and resilient.
Strong time management, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
Strong attention to detail and a deep commitment to client service.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and applicant tracking systems.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
Flexibility to work outside core business hours as needed.
Must comply with the Firm’s Agile Working Policy, requiring in-office presence at least three days each calendar week.
Must be independently legally authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted Talent Acquisition advisor to hiring partners, Practice Areas, and internal stakeholders in the Houston office, providing best practice expertise to achieve the firm’s strategic entry-level recruitment goals.
Collaborate with a team of professional recruiters to ensure a seamless recruitment and onboarding experience for entry-level hires, working closely with Business Professional teams as needed.
Lead entry-level legal recruitment for the Houston office, delivering innovative and creative recruitment solutions in a competitive market.
Develop and implement a recruitment strategy and roadmap in alignment with the firm’s entry-level hiring objectives.
Ensure all recruitment activities and initiatives support the firm’s growth strategy for entry-level talent.
Analyze market intelligence data, market mapping reports, and internal research to identify and engage entry-level prospects.
Provide regular updates and presentations to internal stakeholders on entry-level recruitment plans, progress, feedback, and market trends.
Oversee internal approval processes for entry-level hiring, including documentation, business cases, market intelligence, and feedback.
Manage and review terms with preferred suppliers for entry-level recruitment, including supplier negotiations, to ensure alignment with market standards.
Act as the primary point of contact for entry-level candidates throughout the recruitment process, ensuring timely updates and soliciting feedback as appropriate.
Coordinate interviews efficiently, ensuring interviewers are well-briefed and debriefed, and develop tailored interview schedules for each candidate.
Support the preparation and coordination of internal and external meetings with stakeholders and search firms related to entry-level recruitment.
Guide entry-level candidates through the offer and onboarding process, managing a post-offer cultivation program tailored to each candidate.
Maintain effective candidate tracking processes, including use of the applicant tracking system, submission tracking, and data reporting, to provide accurate updates on entry-level hires and prospects.
Work with internal departments and stakeholders to ensure successful onboarding and pre-arrival orientation, delivering a first-class candidate experience.
Advise partners on best practices for managing entry-level recruitment.
Stay current with industry trends and maintain a broad external network within the legal recruiting community, including contacts at peer firms and search agencies focused on entry-level talent.
Collaborate with the lateral recruiting team and sponsor partners to achieve strategic growth targets.
Respond to and direct candidate inquiries.
Assist in scheduling interviews with lateral candidates, coordinating attorney availability, compiling feedback, and ensuring a smooth candidate experience.
Monitor and track recruitment metrics, including lateral submissions and spending.
Respond to a wide range of lateral recruitment inquiries, including those from internal stakeholders across the US and other offices in the network.
Maintain relationships with recruitment agencies and headhunters, keeping them informed of active openings and managing sensitive searches.
Perform other related duties and projects as assigned.