Flexible Talent Manager

DLA Piper LLP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

DLA Piper LLP is seeking an experienced Manager to drive the growth of its Law & Flexible Talent offering in the UK, working with the Head of Flexible Talent and leadership to expand interim legal talent solutions.

You will blend lawyer recruitment, business development, consultant management, and client relationship leadership to deliver high-quality flexible legal resources on demand.

Qualifications

• Significant (5+ years) experience within legal recruitment, ideally gained within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Strong ability to build client relationships and generate revenue.
• Experience driving growth and delivering talent solutions across the UK.

Responsibilities

• Grow the Law & Flexible Talent business across the UK and beyond, reporting to Head of Flexible Talent.
• Lead recruitment, business development, and client relationship activities with a strategic, consultative approach.
• Develop and maintain a high-quality talent network and improve candidate sourcing pipelines.
• Negotiate client terms, rates, and ensure successful delivery of interim legal talent solutions.

Skills

Legal recruitment

Business development

Client relationships

Talent attraction

Strategic planning

Leadership

ATS familiarity

Tools

ATS familiarity

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Manager to play a pivotale role in the continued growth of Law& Flexible Talent.

Working closely with the Head of Flexible Talent and wider Law& leadership team, you will drive the expansion of our interim legal talent business across the UK whilst supporting international best practice and collaboration.

This is a highly visible, revenue-generating role that combines lawyer recruitment, business development, consultant and client relationship management, and operational leadership. You will identify opportunities, build strategic relationships, and deliver exceptional talent solutions that help clients and DLA Piper access high-quality flexible legal expertise on demand.

The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced growth environment, combining commercial acumen, relationship-building skills and a passion for delivering outstanding client and consultant experiences.

Main duties and responsibilities

Support Head of and Senior Management team in growth of Law& Flexible Talent working across all aspects of the business in the UK and deliver international best practice. Work as a collaborative team player providing additional capacity and support across the breadth of the business.

Business Growth and Commercial Development

• Drive growth of the Flexible Talent business through revenue generation, opportunity creation and market expansion.
• Develop relationships with partners, clients and key stakeholders to identify and convert new opportunities.
• Position Flexible Talent as a strategic workforce solution and integral part of DLA Piper's broader offering.
• Monitor legal market trends, competitor activity and client demand to inform growth strategies.

Recruitment and Talent Attraction

• Act as a Flexible Talent recruitment specialist. Deliver a high quality recruitment and vetting process to legal consultant candidates.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of high-quality legal talent across the UK well aligned to evolving client demand.
• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process from role briefing and job posting through to placement, onboarding, and ongoing engagement.
• Lead strategic talent attraction initiatives and targeted sourcing campaigns.
• Proactively headhunt to meet specific client demand and develop pipelines of passive candidate.
• Conduct candidate screening, interviews and assessments, and support the completion of due diligence processes.
• Stay connected with DLA Piper HR on alignment and best practice.

Client Relationship Management

• Lead client engagement throughout the opportunity lifecycle.
• Understand client workforce challenges and develop tailored interim resourcing solutions.
• Present consultant recommendations, negotiate competitive rates for assignment, commercial terms, and ensure successful delivery.
• Build long-term client relationships that generate repeat business and referrals. Deliver effective account management.
• Ensure excellent client experience throughout assignments.
• Coordinate and work closely with the DLA Piper relationship teams.

Talent Community Development

• Build and maintain a high-quality network of interim legal professionals across key practice areas and sectors developing a strong understanding of their expertise, career aspirations, and availability.
• Develop and implement consultant career development and retention strategies, identifying opportunities for learning, networking, and professional growth, while fostering a sense of community and connection to the broader DLA Piper offering.
• Manage the consultant engagement lifecycle, including regular check-ins, performance feedback, assignment reviews, and redeployment opportunities.

Consultant Placement and Lifecycle Management

• Oversee the end-to-end placement process from opportunity qualification through to assignment completion.
• Support consultants through interview and selection processes, elevation to involve Senior Flexible Talent team where needed.
• Deliver an exceptional consultant experience that drives engagement and repeat placements.

Operational excellence

• Champion continuous improvement across systems, processes and ways of working.
• Support reporting, data integrity and performance tracking.
• Ensuring all records and systems are kept up do date to accurately reflect activity, pipeline and consultant availability.
• Contribute to strategic projects supporting the growth and scalability of the business.

Brand, Marketing and Market Presence

• Represent Law& Flexible Talent internally and externally.
• Contribute thought leadership, events, market engagement and social media initiatives.
• Raise the profile of Flexible Talent across DLA Piper and the wider legal market.

About you

• Significant (5+ years) experience within legal recruitment, ideally gained within a law firm, professional services organisation, recruitment agency or ALSP, with a strong understanding of legal practice areas and specialisms.
• Knowledge of the legal consultancy market and relevant contractor legislation, including IR35, would be advantageous.
• A focus on recruiting to positively impact diversity and inclusion, including the ability to ensure ethical hiring decisions, without bias. Commercial and pragmatic approach to deliver outcomes with integrity and to the highest standards.
• Demonstrated success in building client relationships and generating revenue.
• Strong commercial awareness and confidence managing rate negotiations.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and legal professionals at all levels, including General Counsel and law firm partners.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving and demanding environment whilst sustaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for growing new opportunities.
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Passion for legal services, with a strong commitment to client service, professionalism and integrity.
• Collaborative and committed team player who is energised to contribute to a growth business within the law firm and to the wider Law& function.
• Enthusiasm to utilise technology platforms to excel in our delivery including familiarity and compliant use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), HR and marketing software.
  

About us

We're a global law firm helping our clients achieve their goals wherever they do business. Our pursuit of innovation has transformed our delivery of legal services. With offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, we deliver exceptional outcomes on cross-border projects, critical transactions and high-stakes disputes.

At DLA Piper, we understand that inclusion is not a one-size-fits-all concept. We embrace and celebrate the range of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that each individual brings to our firm. By fostering a culture that welcomes and appreciates all aspects of our individuality, we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our commitment to inclusion and positive social impact enables us to provide exceptional service to our clients and communities, while nurturing a unique and inclusive culture for all our people. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

We are committed to being accessible and accommodating any reasonable adjustments needed throughout the recruitment process to ensure an inclusive experience for all. If you need any support or adjustments, please let us know.

Where local legislation permits, we will conduct relevant pre‑engagement screening checks prior to your first day.

At DLA Piper, we aim to make meaningful progress and build an inclusive culture where anyone affected by disability, neurodiversity or a long‑term health condition has an equitable and accessible chance of success. If you think you may need adjustments or additional support to enable you to participate in our recruitment process, please contact our Recruitment team and we will be happy to support you.

Agile Working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That’s why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.

Pre‑Engagement Screening

In the event that we make an offer to you, and where local legislation permits, we will conduct pre‑engagement screening checks that may include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, your eligibility to work in the relevant jurisdiction, any criminal records, your financial stability, and references from previous employers.

Our hiring approach

Our hiring approach enables us to learn about the professional and person you are, and gives you the opportunity to learn about us. Your recruitment experience can differ depending on the type of role you are interviewing for. You will always meet your direct Line Manager for your role, as well as peers and close collaborators for the position. For some of our roles we may also use assessment tools, practical exercises, and panel presentations. Your Recruitment Business Partner will inform you of the recruitment process at the start of any recruitment process, but please let us know if you have any questions prior to making an application.

We’re redefining what an international law firm can be. With a unique global network and an unparalleled range of expertise, this is where you’ll work on the cases that shape the world and will define your career.

Staying in touch with like‑minded people is important to us. Our Talent Community provides unique access to our firm so you can discover why we are a different kind of law firm.

We pride ourselves on the extraordinary impact we make beyond the borders of traditional law. That’s only possible because of the skills our business professionals bring and the environment we create to let them thrive. See where your skills could take you.