Emerging Talent Senior Manager

CMS UK; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible hybrid working policy

Generous bonus scheme

Up to 28 days holiday with service

Private medical insurance

Private medical insurance

Enhanced parental leave

DEIB initiatives support

Job summary

A leading legal services firm in Sheffield seeks an Emerging Talent Senior Manager to develop and execute their graduate talent strategy. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in graduate recruitment, strong strategic thinking skills, and a commitment to diversity. This role offers competitive salary, flexible working policy, and generous benefits including private medical insurance and additional holiday days.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in senior emerging talent or graduate recruitment roles.
• Proven ability to design and deliver talent strategies that impact business outcomes.
• Outstanding communication with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Set and deliver the overarching Emerging Talent strategy.
• Lead innovative marketing campaigns for graduate talent acquisition.
• Collaborate with teams to design initiatives that deliver client satisfaction.
• Champion data‑driven selection processes that are fair and identify technically excellent candidates.
• Build and nurture relationships with academic institutions, industry bodies, and client representatives.
• Partner with DEIB teams to deliver diversity initiatives reflecting client diversity.
• Identify best practices in graduate recruitment, skills development, and HR innovation.
• Oversee the graduate talent lifecycle from attraction to development of future solicitors.
• Utilise analytics to inform strategic decisions and measure programme impact.
• Lead, coach, and develop emerging talent team members.
• Own and deliver high‑impact projects advancing Talent Acquisition strategy.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Communication and influencing

Networking

Analytical mindset

Resilience

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Postgraduate qualifications in HR or Talent Management

Job description

Emerging Talent Senior Manager

CMS UK Sheffield, England, United Kingdom

CMS UK is seeking an Emerging Talent Senior Manager to shape and execute our graduate talent strategy across the UK and internationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and deliver the overarching Emerging Talent strategy in alignment with firm-wide and client objectives.
• Lead the conceptualisation and execution of innovative marketing and brand campaigns to position the firm as a market leader in graduate talent acquisition.
• Collaborate with client relationship teams to design graduate initiatives that deliver superior value and client satisfaction.
• Champion data‑driven selection processes that are fair, consistent, and identify candidates with technical excellence and client‑centric mindsets.
• Build and nurture strategic relationships with academic institutions, industry bodies, and client representatives.
• Partner with Responsible Business and DEIB teams to deliver diversity initiatives that reflect the diversity of our clients and communities.
• Identify and implement best practices in graduate recruitment, professional skills development, and HR innovation.
• Oversee the graduate talent lifecycle from early attraction to ongoing development of future solicitors.
• Utilise analytics and market research to inform strategic decisions and measure programme impact.
• Lead, coach, and develop emerging talent team members.
• Own and deliver high‑impact projects to advance the broader strategic direction of the Talent Acquisition function.

About You

• Extensive experience in senior emerging talent or graduate recruitment roles within leading professional services or legal environments.
• Proven ability to design and deliver talent strategies informed by commercial and client needs, with demonstrable impact on business and client outcomes.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder projects.
• In‑depth knowledge of solicitor qualification pathways in the UK and internationally, and understanding of market trends in legal education and recruitment.
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills, with gravitas to operate effectively with senior internal and client stakeholders.
• Exceptional networker, able to build enduring relationships internally and externally to enhance the firm’s reputation and client value proposition.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with track record of delivering impactful DEIB initiatives.
• Analytical mindset, experienced using data to drive talent strategy and evidence ROI to clients and leadership.
• Resilient, adaptable, and results‑oriented, with a collaborative leadership style and commitment to the firm’s values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) essential; postgraduate qualifications in HR, Talent Management, or related fields highly desirable.
• Continuous professional development in emerging talent, HR, or legal education is highly valued.

Benefits

• Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
• Flexible, hybrid working policy
• Generous bonus scheme
• Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
• Holiday exchange scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced parental leave
• Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. To learn more about our benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.