Future Talent Assistant (no agencies)

If you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact hr.recruitment@stephensonharwood.com

We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can gain early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.

YOU CAN EXPECT

• A competitive salary and a host of family friendly policies
• Life assurance, private health and dental care for you and your family
• A range of flexible benefits including gym discount and retail vouchers
• Tech, cycle and electric car schemes
• We support the causes you care about, by giving you one day per year off to volunteer with any charity that you are involved with outside of work.
• A wellbeing strategy that focuses on preventative measures to maintain overall health, and tools and support for when our people experience physical or mental difficulties. The strategy focuses on four pillars: physical, emotional, financial and social aspects.
• Most of our roles are hybrid, meaning that colleagues benefit from working in our office and remotely. We are happy to discuss this and other flexible working arrangements with you as part of the application and interview process.
• We are an equal opportunity organisation, committed to having a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture, or any other protected characteristics. We aim to create a culture where everyone can be themselves and is valued for their strengths and unique perspectives.

The post holder will report to the Senior Future Talent Manager and also work closely with the future talent advisers and wider HR Team. They will develop relationships with partners and colleagues across the business.

The HR, Talent Development and Responsible Business department comprises over 50 people globally and is responsible for the effective management of all matters concerning the attraction, engagement, development, progression and retention of our people. We play a key role in creating a diverse and inclusive environment where all of our people can do their best work and realise their full potential to the benefit of the firm and themselves. We are involved in a wide range of activities including:

• Implementing the firm's people and talent strategy
• Recruitment of partners and employees, including early careers (trainee and apprentice) talent recruitment and development
• Talent and career management
• Reward strategy and salary review
• Supporting the performance management process

Future Talent Recruitment:
The Future Talent Assistant will play a vital role in attracting and recruiting the next generation of talent for the firm. Responsibilities include:

• Responding to Queries and Managing Communications:
  Act as the first point of contact for candidates, dealing with queries regarding the recruitment process, applications, and other ad hoc questions.
• Manage the Future Talent inbox and diary efficiently, ensuring timely responses and scheduling of meetings, catch-ups, and appointments.
• Organising and Coordinating Recruitment Events:
  Plan, coordinate, and actively participate in vacation schemes, open days, insight sessions, skills workshops, and law fairs. This includes liaising with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring smooth event execution, and representing the firm at recruitment events.
• Candidate Management System Oversight:
  Manage the firm’s candidate management system, Candid, ensuring data is accurate and up-to-date. Provide regular updates on candidate progress and recruitment statistics.
• Application Screening and Assessment Centre Coordination:
  Along with the rest of the Future Talent team, conduct initial screening of applications and provide support in the administration and coordination of assessment centres. This includes scheduling candidates, assisting with logistics, and ensuring a seamless experience for participants. Additionally, communicate outcomes to candidates, including offers and rejections, in a professional and timely manner.
• Supplier Coordination:
  Oversee the payment of invoices for suppliers, ensuring invoices are processed accurately and efficiently.
• Social Media Content Creation:
  Assist in the creation and coordination of social media content to promote the firm’s future talent initiatives, ensuring engagement with target audiences and alignment with the firm’s brand strategy.
• Social Mobility Initiatives
  Support the Senior Future Talent Manager with the administration of the firm’s charitable foundation, which offers undergraduate scholarships and a programme of skills development sessions for scholars. Lead on facilitation of Bright Sparks, the firm’s social mobility work experience programme for year 12 students.

Future Talent Development:
The Future Talent Assistant will support the development and onboarding of future talent, helping them transition smoothly into the firm. Key responsibilities include:

• Onboarding and Pre-Employment Activities:
  Facilitate onboarding processes for future trainees and solicitor apprentices, including ensuring timely payment of SQE grants, organising pre-employment events, and building relationships with future talent to provide a welcoming and supportive environment.
• HR Generalist Support:
  Provide day-to-day HR support for future talent throughout the employee lifecycle. This includes monitoring sickness and other absences, tracking seat reviews, and ensuring compliance with HR policies.
• Supporting Key Processes:
  Assist with processes related to new joiners, induction, seat changes, NQ (newly qualified solicitor) transitions, and admission to the Roll of Solicitors. This includes liaising with relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth transitions and compliance with professional requirements.
• HR Information System Maintenance:
  Maintain accurate records for trainees and solicitor apprentices in the firm’s HR system, WorkDay, ensuring compliance with internal policies and data protection regulations.

Policies, Knowhow, and Developing the HR Function:
The Future Talent Assistant will contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of HR processes and documentation. Responsibilities include:

• Document Creation and Maintenance:
  Develop and maintain standard HR documents, know-how, and guidance materials to ensure consistency and accuracy across the department.
• Project Participation:
  Actively participate in firm-wide and departmental projects aligned with the firm’s strategy. Balance day-to-day responsibilities with project work, contributing ideas and supporting the implementation of new initiatives.
• Regulation and Practice Updates:
  Keep up-to-date with changes in regulations and best practices affecting future talent recruitment and development, ensuring compliance and alignment with industry standards.

Working with Others:
The role requires collaboration within the HR team and across the firm more widely, as well as engagement with external stakeholders to support best practices in future talent recruitment and development.

• External Networking and Forums:
  Build relationships and enhance the firm’s presence at external networks and forums to stay informed on best practices in recruitment and HR.
• Contributing Ideas and Improvements:
  Share ideas, contribute to team know-how, and suggest improvements to processes and initiatives to ensure the continuous development of the HR function.
• Team Collaboration:
  Actively contribute to the development of the Future Talent team and the wider HR team by sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues, and participating in team-building initiatives.

• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and build relationships across the business.
• Proactive and adaptable approach to work, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Enthusiasm for supporting the recruitment and development of future talent.
• Genuine interest in social mobility and widening access to the legal profession, with a passion for working with young people and making a positive impact.

This job description is indicative only and does not represent an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The firm reserves the right to alter or change the responsibilities at any time, in line with the firm’s strategy and business needs.

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.

Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.

With more than 1,500 people, including 220+ partners, across ten offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

220+ PARTNERS
10 OFFICES
45+ LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR PEOPLE

Offices in Al Khobar, Athens, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and associated office in Guangzhou

Our brand strengths:

GO FAR, GO TOGETHER

EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW

CAN DO PERSONALITIES

ALWAYS READY