We are recruiting for an Early Careers Advisor to join our HR team, ideally based in our Southampton office. As we are focused on attracting the right candidate, the role could be based in any of our offices – Southampton, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Poole or Winchester.

The successful candidate will be reporting into the Head of people & Culture and working closely with Training Partner, Apprenticeship Partner, Talent Acquisition Specialist and Team Leaders. You will be responsible for co-ordinating and supporting the end to end early careers journey throughout the Firm.

The suitable candidate will have a minimum of 1 year Early Careers experience, ideally within a Law Firm or Professional Services setting.

Candidates should have a full UK driving license and be willing to travel between our five offices and events when necessary.

Your Role:

• To be responsible for helping to develop and support the Firm’s early careers programmes to include Trainee Solicitors and Apprenticeships.
• To provide support and guidance to individuals that are undertaking further qualifications to develop their career within the Firm (legal and non-legal).
• To collaborate with Universities, law schools and other local educational institutions to raise awareness and promote internal opportunities.
• To assist with the design and development of other training and development programmes suitable to the needs of those considered ‘early careers’.
• To work closely with other internal stakeholders to include Head of People & Culture, Training Partner, Apprenticeship Partner, Talent Acquisition Advisor and Team Leaders.

Your duties:

To assist with the development and management of the Firm’s Trainee Solicitor programme, which will involve:

• Working closely with the Firm’s Training Partner and wider HR Team.
• Assisting with the annual recruitment process of Trainee Solicitors from application to offer stage.
• To arrange and attend regular review meetings with our Trainee Solicitors and the Training Partner.
• With the Training Partner, co-ordinate the 6 monthly seat rotations taking into account Team Leader requests, business need and individual’s preferences.
• To utilise the Firm’s social media to promote our trainee solicitor programme each year.
• To co-ordinate the induction process for new trainees joining.
• To identify relevant trainee publications and update details as needed.
• To co-ordinate and attend law fairs to promote our trainee solicitor programme.

To assist with the development of the Firm’s Apprenticeship programme, which will involve;

• Working closely with the Firm’s Apprenticeship Partner and wider HR Team.
• To be a port of call for queries and providing information about how the apprenticeship programme works.
• To be the main point of contact for our apprenticeship training providers.
• Assisting with the recruitment of Paralegal and Solicitor apprentices where applicable.
• Assisting with the consideration of internal applications for apprentices, including liaising with relevant stakeholders and taking recommendations to Board.
• To be responsible for maintaining and overseeing the Apprenticeship Levy pot.
• To attend meetings with the apprenticeship provider, supervisor and apprentice to evaluate scheme, as required.

To assist with the Development of aspiring and newly qualified lawyers and paralegals, which will involve;

• To be the main point of contact for those studying towards a further qualification e.g. Paralegal, CILEx/CPQ, CLC, etc.
• Provide initial advice to those considering undertaking a legal qualification and explain the application process for Firm sponsorship (financial support).

To assist with the development and management of individuals studying towards other professional non-legal qualifications such as Finance, HR, Marketing, etc.

To identify and collaborate with Educational Institutions

• Represent the Firm at Law Fairs, Career fairs and Apprenticeship fairs to promote the various opportunities available within the Firm.
• Work with local schools, colleges and universities to raise awareness and build relationships.
• Organise events related to early careers, such as open days, recruitment events, and work placements.

Website development

• To assist with the development of the Careers section of the Firm’s website, specifically focussing on early careers.

To assist with the development and implementation of the Firm’s overall Learning and Development Plan/Strategy

• Assist with the development of a Training Plan / Skills Development Plan for junior lawyers (i.e. 0-3 PQE) within the firm.

Other

• Develop the concept of work placements to include work experience and vacation schemes within the Firm.
• Contribute to the Firm’s E,D & I strategy to ensure the early careers programmes are accessible and appealing to everyone.
• Identify ways to encourage and support under-represented groups entering the legal profession
• To assist with the development of a mentoring /buddy scheme for early careers.
• To undertake any other duties which from time to time may be allocated.