Talent Acquisition Senior Manager

The role

Clifford Chance US LLP is seeking a full-time Talent Acquisition Senior Manager to lead full-cycle recruitment for our Business Professional function across the Americas region. This role will focus on delivering exceptional client service, driving continuous process improvements, enhancing employer branding, and implementing effective recruiting strategies, with an emphasis on leveraging technology and efficiency. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in developing and executing strategic talent acquisition plans, with the ability to drive business objectives through recruitment effort for the region. The position can be based in Washington DC, or Houston, TX and will report to the Senior Human Resources Business Partner – Americas and Global Head of Talent Acquisition.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the full recruitment life cycle for Business Professional roles across the region, from position requisitions through to intake meetings, candidate sourcing, screening, interviewing, and managing the offer process, ensuring alignment with global strategy and high standards.

• Foster regional initiatives to build a stronger talent pipeline and establish a robust regional presence. Develop creative, effective strategies for excelling in a competitive talent landscape, for example marketing the firm's unique offerings and brand position in each market, developing relationships with schools, candidate programs and other external networks, leveraging internal firm networks and the alumni association, and operational strategies including advertising and interviewing timing. Maintain specialist knowledge in recruitment trends, industry developments, and regulatory changes, and continuously integrate new insights into recruitment practices.

• Manage recruitment for many varied roles and complex recruitment activities, focusing on direct sourcing to attract top talent to the Firm.

• Work closely with the Director of Human Resources, Regional Chief Operating Officer and the HR Business Partner team to develop workforce plans and recruitment strategies for new markets. 

• Collaborate with HR Business Partners and senior managers to anticipate future hiring needs during the annual Additional Headcount process and, throughout the year, forecast talent demands, labor shortages and responsive strategies.

• Drive operational excellence and embed best practices across all recruitment processes, ensuring alignment with global standards and the firm’s HR operating model. Ensure that all locations maintain strong data points, high candidate satisfaction, and common performance metrics.

• Develop and enhance the Firm’s employee value proposition, leading efforts to deliver an exceptional candidate experience that aligns with the Firm’s global brand. 

• Collaborate with the global recruitment team to define market maps, perform targeted research, and approach strategic talent pools in alignment with business needs.

• Analyse and report on recruiting metrics, including time-to-hire, candidate sourcing, and recruitment costs, and provide regular insights to key stakeholders to inform decisionmaking and improve process effectiveness.  Present trends and recommendations to regional leadership and implement enhancements.

• Ensure a superior candidate experience by maintaining exceptional communication, providing timely follow-ups, and ensuring a smooth and efficient recruitment process.

• Maintain and update accurate candidate records in the Firm’s ATS and manage potential candidates in the CRM system.

• Manage the internal referral program for Business Professionals, ensuring the program is actively promoted and effectively managed.

• Provide proactive and strategic service delivery to internal stakeholders, regularly updating hiring managers and ensuring alignment with talent acquisition goals and business objectives.

• Observe competitive conditions and advise the HR Business Partner team, Compensation team and Hiring Managers on shifts in market rates, advocating for evaluation of salary data when appropriate.

• Work closely with the broader Talent Acquisition team, providing leadership and support on various requisitions and projects as needed, and ensuring consistent and efficient execution.

• Perform other strategic tasks as assigned by the Senior HR Business Partner – Americas and/or Director of Human Resources – Americas, with a focus on long-term strategic Talent Acquisition initiatives.

Your experience

• 5+ years of full-cycle recruitment experience within a law firm or professional services environment, with a proven track record in handling single head and multi-head requisition and campaign recruiting complex processes for a range of functions and jurisdictions. 

• Proven experience entering new markets, developing workforce and recruiting strategies pre-office opening, and effectively attracting talent to a new location.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.

• Proven ability to manage complex recruitment processes and implement innovative sourcing strategies, particularly for senior-level and niche talent, while ensuring efficiency and alignment with business goals.

• Exceptional ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, ensuring timely and strategic delivery of recruitment goals while maintaining operational excellence.

• Strong knowledge of industry metrics, recruiting compliance, and the ability to apply them effectively across multiple offices.

• Deep expertise in recruitment methodologies and candidate engagement, with a focus on delivering a positive candidate experience and aligning talent acquisition strategies with the firm’s goals.

• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, prioritize competing demands, and meet tight deadlines, while maintaining a high level of accuracy and quality.

• Strong discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information, always maintaining professionalism and integrity.

• Strategic thinker and problem solver, able to develop and execute recruitment strategies that align with business objectives and drive organizational success.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and continuously evolving environment, adapting quickly to changing priorities and business needs.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with senior leadership, hiring managers, and candidates at all levels.

• Strong decision-making ability, using sound judgment to navigate complex situations and deliver effective recruitment outcomes.

• Proven track record of collaboration, building and maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders and HR teams across multiple regions.

• Proactive mindset with exceptional organizational skills, client service orientation, and attention to detail in all aspects of recruitment.

• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel, with the ability to analyze and present data to inform decision-making. Ability to quickly learn and apply new technologies and recruitment applications.

• Ability to travel to locations throughout the United States.

• Ability to work outside the core business hours as needed.

• Must be able to adhere and comply with the Firm's Agile Working Policy which requires employees to work from the office at least three days each calendar week.

• Must be independently legally authorized to work in the United States

Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this role is $130,000 – 155,000. Actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.

Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Hybrid Working

Due to the nature of this role, office attendance is required for more than our 'balanced' hybrid working policy. The expectation for this role is to be working in the office for a minimum of 60% of your time.

Equal Opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society. 

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.

Find out more about our inclusive culture here

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