Senior Manager of Attorney Recruiting

Eversheds Sutherland•Chicago, IL

72d•$108,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a dynamic, results-driven Senior Manager of Attorney Recruitment to lead strategic hiring initiatives across our U.S. recruiting team. The standout candidate will bring at least five years of experience in student and lateral associate recruitment within a national or international law firm. Partnering with the Head of Recruitment, this role will shape and execute a forward-thinking recruitment strategy while delivering exceptional service to internal and external stakeholders. As a firm ambassador, the preferred candidate will demonstrate strong project management skills and possess exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills to attract top legal talent and elevate the firm's recruiting brand. The key responsibilities, qualifications, and capabilities for this role include:

Requirements

Minimum of five years of experience in attorney recruiting, talent management, or other human resources-related discipline, including at least two years in a supervisory or people management role.
Bachelor's degree required.
Demonstrated success managing recruiting processes across student, lateral, and/or alternative-track attorney populations.
Exceptional project management skills with a proven ability to prioritize, stay organized and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment. Comfortable managing multiple priorities and time-sensitive matters under tight deadlines.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; collaborative, dependable, and team-oriented.
Skilled at influencing and engaging stakeholders at all levels while building trust and credibility.
Self-starter with the ability to work independently and proactively.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Exercises sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion in all interactions.
Proficient in managing an applicant tracking system and Microsoft Office, LinkedIn, and other talent management software.

Responsibilities

Manage the full lifecycle of student and lateral attorney recruitment, from hiring requests through orientation, serving as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
Design and execute campus recruiting strategies, including summer associate program planning, on-campus interviews, and outreach initiatives.
Partner with practice group leaders to proactively identify staffing needs. Develop and implement direct sourcing plans to attract and engage key talent.
Develop and maintain policies and processes for hiring contract and alternative-track attorneys; develop relationships with staffing agencies and ensure consistent usage and treatment of contract attorneys.
Negotiate and enforce search firm agreements, including retained search agreements.
Direct and manage the Summer Associate Program, including policy development, work allocation, performance evaluation, and event planning to ensure a best-in-class experience.
Drive candidate engagement from sourcing and interviewing to onboarding; delivering a seamless, high-touch experience.
Provide training, supervision, and guidance to the team members, fostering professional growth and operational excellence.
Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with law schools, search firms, and professional networks to strengthen the firm's talent pipeline.
Analyze, maintain, and synthesize recruiting and hiring trends to identify patterns and provide actionable insights that enhance our recruiting strategies and outcomes.
Monitor legal publications and share relevant intelligence with stakeholders.
Develop and manage annual recruiting budgets; track and approve expenses.
Oversee internal and external databases; ensure data integrity and compliance.
Manage external profiles (NALP, Chambers, Vault) and coordinate annual surveys, forms, and website/intranet updates.
Maintain clear, timely, and professional communication with discretion throughout the candidate experience.
Serve as the primary liaison between business professional teams, to deliver a seamless recruiting and onboarding process.
Partner with firm leadership, committees, and key departments to align and support the successful onboarding of new attorneys.
Collaborate and lead cross-team projects in support of the Firm's business objectives.