Early Careers Senior Advisor

Oakleaf Partnership; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal firm in the City of London is looking for an experienced Early Careers professional on a 12-month fixed contract. This role involves leading the delivery of solicitor apprenticeship and trainee programmes, designing early talent initiatives, and managing assessments. The ideal candidate has experience in early careers recruitment, strong project management skills, and a genuine passion for diversity and inclusion. Hybrid working options are available.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in early careers recruitment in legal or professional services.
• Strong project management skills with ability to handle competing priorities.
• Passion for fostering diversity and excellence in candidate experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of Early Talent programmes.
• Manage application and assessment processes effectively.
• Oversee programme logistics and administrative support.
• Act as a contact for managing candidate experiences and events.
• Partner with Diversity & Inclusion to monitor initiatives.

Skills

Early careers recruitment experience

Strong programme management

Passion for diversity and inclusion

Excellent communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strong organisational skills

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Early Careers professional to join our leading Legal client on a 12 month fixed term contract. This is a really integral and autonomous role that will lead on the delivery of the solicitor apprenticeship and trainee solicitor programmes, ensuring candidates enjoy a first-class journey from application through to qualification.

You’ll design and deliver the early talent initiatives, owning relationships with universities, creating social media campaigns and managing assessment centres through to onboarding of cohorts. With the chance to support wider project work and continuous improvement, this role offers real scope for impact and professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design and delivery of Early Talent programmes, including the Summer Programme, Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme and work experience initiatives.
• Manage end‑to‑end application and assessment centre processes across all programmes, including timely feedback, reporting and coordination with Graduate Recruitment Partners and the Apprentice Senior Champion.
• Oversee all programme logistics – training schedules, seat allocations, supervisor training, speaker sessions, social events and full administrative support before and during each programme.
• Act as a first point of contact, attending events, managing pastoral issues, conducting exit‑interviews and ensuring an outstanding, inclusive candidate experience.
• Partner with Diversity & Inclusion to deliver social mobility and diversity initiatives, monitor diversity targets.

Key Skills

• Proven experience in early careers recruitment, ideally within legal or professional services.
• Strong programme and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A genuine passion for diversity, inclusion and social mobility.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Confidence engaging stakeholders and building relationships at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills and a calm, structured approach to busy workloads.

Hybrid working available.