Talent Acquisition and Early Careers Manager (Fixed Term)

About the role

About us Stone King is an ambitious and purpose-driven firm specialising in the Business & Social Enterprise, Charity, Education, Public Faith and Private Client sectors. Our collaborative culture and core values are intertwined with our ethos of doing the right thing by our clients, communities, and our people. Our passion for the sectors we work in and the purpose-driven work we do with our clients has resulted in SK being recognised as national leaders in our specialist fields across the country. The opportunity This is an 18‑month fixed term maternity cover role responsible for leading Stone King's approach to talent acquisition and early careers during a defined period of cover. The role ensures continuity, quality and momentum across recruitment activity for legal and business services roles, including lateral and partner hiring, trainee solicitors, apprenticeships and work experience pathways. As a senior member of the People Team, the postholder will lead recruitment delivery, maintain and enhance inclusive and effective recruitment processes, and provide expert advice to partners and leaders. The role includes line management responsibility for the Talent Acquisition & Early Careers Adviser and plays a key role in supporting Stone King's ambitions to be a responsible, values‑led and client‑centric firm. Key Responsibilities General duties include, but are not limited to: Talent Acquisition Delivery Lead and deliver end‑to‑end recruitment activity across legal and business services roles, ensuring a consistent, fair and high‑quality candidate experience. Partner with Practice Group Heads, People Business Partners and business services leaders to understand hiring needs and support proactive workforce planning during the fixed term period. Maintain and continuously improve recruitment processes, ensuring they are inclusive, efficient, digitally enabled and aligned with Stone King's values and regulatory obligations. Manage relationships with recruitment agencies, monitoring performance and ensuring value for money. Ensure hiring managers are appropriately supported and equipped to recruit fairly and effectively, including interview practice and decision‑making. Use recruitment data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, working closely with the People Data & Insights function. Early Careers & Work Experience Lead the delivery of Stone King's trainee solicitor programme, including attraction, assessment, seat planning, supervision and qualification processes. Manage apprenticeships, work experience and other early careers pathways, ensuring alignment with the firm's commitment to social mobility and responsible business. Build and maintain strong relationships with universities, law schools, apprenticeship providers and diversity‑focused organisations. Work collaboratively with Learning & Development to support development pathways for trainees and apprentices. Ensure compliance with SRA requirements relating to trainee solicitors and qualifying work experience. Candidate Experience & Employer Brand Maintain and enhance Stone King's employer brand and value proposition, ensuring it reflects the firm's purpose, values and inclusion commitments. Ensure all candidates, whether successful or unsuccessful, receive a respectful, professional and positive experience. Oversee the creation and use of recruitment materials and outreach activity that support attraction objectives and brand consistency. Leadership & Collaboration Line manage and support the Talent Acquisition & Early Careers Adviser, providing clear direction, development and workload support. Work collaboratively across the People Team, including People Business Partners, People Operations & Reward and Learning & Development, to ensure seamless recruitment and onboarding transitions. Contribute to wider People Team initiatives and projects where appropriate during the fixed term period. Role model Stone King's values and promote a positive, inclusive and respectful working environment. Essential Strong knowledge of recruitment best practice, talent acquisition processes and early careers pathways. Experience delivering end‑to‑end recruitment activity within a complex or professional services environment. Understanding of attraction strategies, assessment methods and inclusive selection practices. Knowledge of UK employment law as it relates to recruitment and selection. Experience managing trainee solicitor programmes, apprenticeships or comparable structured early careers pathways. Experience partnering with senior stakeholders on hiring and workforce planning decisions. Ability to manage multiple recruitment processes and priorities with a high degree of organisation and autonomy. Strong stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to advise and influence partners and senior leaders. Confident use of recruitment systems, HR systems and Microsoft 365 tools. Analytical capability, using data to inform decisions and impr

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