Stephenson Harwood LLC Hiring for Future Talent Manager at London Full Time

About the Firm:
With 8 offices worldwide and with our headquarters based in London, Stephenson Harwood is a law firm where our people are committed to achieving the goals of our clients – listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals across the globe. Our mix of expertise and culture results in a combination of deep local insight and the capability to provide a seamless international service.

Our experience encompasses corporate, commercial litigation and arbitration, employment, pensions and private wealth, finance, marine and international trade, and real estate and projects.

We assemble teams of bright thinkers to match our clients’ needs and give the right advice from the right person at the right time. Dedicating the highest calibre of legal talent to overcome the most complex issues, we deliver pragmatic, expert advice that is set squarely in the real world.

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.

Our values:
Individuality – We encourage creativity and develop talent

Commitment – To be the best and deliver the highest standard

Teamwork – We work together to build close, long-term relationships

Straight talking – We say what we mean and do what we say

These values express the personality of the individuals within our firm. They are the behaviours we encourage in our people and the standards which inform our decisions and actions.

Our vision into 2026

To be a successful firm where talented people work together in an entrepreneurial environment, building long term client relationships.

This vision is about who we want to be, as well as who we are. It is as much about our values as about our character – the attributes we want to see from all of our people. It also reflects the importance of remaining independent – a clear sign that we are confident in our own future.

That’s how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit, advising our clients with top performing teams.

A key part of the 2026 strategy is to focus on five core sectors: decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. These have been identified as crucial in the drive for accelerated profitable growth.

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.

If you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact [email protected].

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

Team Structure:
The HR function comprises of 30 people globally and is responsible for the effective management of all matters concerning the attraction, engagement, development, progression and retention of our people. This involves guiding and supporting partners, managers, and all employees alike, as well as supporting the creation of an inclusive and diverse environment, enabling our people to thrive. We are involved in a wide range of activities including:

Implementing our people and talent strategy

Resourcing, talent and career management

Reward (financial and non-financial) strategy

Supporting the performance management process

Policy, procedures setting and the practical application of these across the business

People projects to support the firm’s strategy

Main Responsibilities:
Future talent

• Responsible for the approach of our future talent (trainee solicitors, apprentices, work placement students/interns, scholars), including marketing materials (website, social media and our presence at universities and events on campus). Designing and implementing a modern and slick approach, taking into consideration candidate experience, partner time and in line with the firm’s diversity and inclusion aims
• Manage the future talent recruitment cycle (from screening applications and interviewing to overseeing and participating in the assessment centres, placement schemes and open days)
• Oversee the future talent diversity partnerships including PRIME, MyKindaFuture, Aspiring Solicitors and Whizz Kidz.
• Responsible for the development and management of our future talent
• Responsible for international future talent opportunities including leading the attraction and selection for the Dubai trainee solicitor programme, supporting our Hong Kong office with the early stages of the selection processes for the Hong Kong trainee solicitor programme, as well as lead for trainee international secondment opportunities to Paris, Seoul, Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong.
• Oversee the onboarding, induction and integration of the trainee solicitors and apprentices into the business and their development throughout their period of training, including seat allocation, qualification, resolving employee relations issues, delivery of some Professional Skills Courses, 1:1 coaching, and organising events.

Stakeholders relationships and people development

Build and maintain strong and trusted relationships with future talents partners, key stake holders in the business; and the HR and L&D team across our network

Be a key influencer and champion of future talent, inclusion and the wider HR function

Manage the future talent team and provide support, coaching and training ensuring consistent high quality standards are maintained and to share best practice

Share knowledge and develop appropriate training for the future talent or wider HR teams

Ensure high quality standard, commercial and proactive service delivery at all times

Champion/promote other areas of the People and Talent function: D&I, L&D, CSR, reward, HR advisory and the key people topics

Continuous improvement

Consistently look at ways to improve efficiency and embed continuous improvement

Lead on a number of projects and contribute to others

Ensure knowhow and documentation is up to date and available to facilitate knowledge sharing, efficiency and that team members are self-sufficient in day-to-day operations

Responsible for overseeing appropriate documentation is in place and consistent with the advisory team processes and activities

Attributes/Skills Required:
The successful candidate has a breadth of knowledge, is comfortable in a matrix organisation and partnership model.

We are looking for an experienced HR professional with prior work experience at managerial level within a professional services environment. You will have dealt with the future talent life cycle with a commercial and pragmatic approach and have extensive experience in implementing modern and simple approaches.

You will demonstrate a strong coaching and influencing style with the skills to foster true strategic business partner relationships. You will have strong people skills with experience of managing and developing teams. A confident, calm and credible manner with a good understanding of commercial drivers will ensure your success in this role.

You will bring experience of supporting teams through change, understand the complexities that employee relations work brings and be able to bring teams together.

Qualifications:
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 ambitions firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get 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.