HR Manager (Trainees) | Law Firm

Versende Legal; Greater London; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Versende Legal in London seeks an HR Manager (Trainees) to own the full Trainee Solicitor lifecycle. Reporting to the Head of HR, you will lead recruitment, onboarding, seat rotations, qualification management (LPC and SQE), sponsor study, and run the Summer Vacation Scheme.

You will partner with Training Principal and department heads, using data to keep the programme best in class and ensure a smooth, high‑quality trainee experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a legal environment, with proven experience working directly with Trainees.
• Knowledge of both routes to qualification, LPC and SQE.
• Willingness to work from London office and contribute to a high‑quality trainee experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment, onboarding and induction including mentor/buddy programmes.
• Manage seat rotations, mid-seat and end-of-seat appraisals and performance management.
• Oversee the qualification process (LPC/SQE), sponsorship and NQ recruitment.
• Lead the firm's Summer Vacation Scheme and future talent pipeline.
• Provide broader generalist HR support as part of a collaborative team.

Skills

Consultancy skills

Influencing

Communication

Education

CIPD Level 7

2:1 degree or above

Job description

HR Manager (Trainees) | Law Firm | Up to £65,000 | London | Permanent

Are you an HR professional who loves shaping the next generation of solicitors? This is a rare opportunity to own the full Trainee Solicitor lifecycle inside one of the City's most respected law firms.

The firm

A long-established, full-service law firm with more than 150 years of history in the City of London and offices across the country. Its lawyers act for household-name multinationals, charities, housing associations and regulators, with genuine strength across banking, corporate, litigation, construction, housing, employment and real estate. It is a place where people build careers, not just do jobs, and where the trainee programme is treated as the heart of the firm's future.

The role

Reporting to the Head of HR, you will lead and develop the firm's Trainee Solicitor Programme from end to end. You will be the go-to person across the trainee journey, including:

• Recruitment, onboarding and induction, including the mentor and buddy programme
• Seat rotations, mid-seat and end-of-seat appraisals, and performance management
• Managing the qualification process across both routes, LPC and SQE, including study sponsorship and NQ recruitment
• Leading the firm's Summer Vacation Scheme and its future talent pipeline
• Providing broader generalist HR support as part of a collaborative team

You will work closely with the Training Principal, Heads of Department and Supervisors, using data and market insight to keep the programme best in class.

What you will bring

• A minimum of 3 years' experience in a legal environment, with proven experience working directly with Trainees
• Working knowledge of both routes to qualification, LPC and SQE
• CIPD Level 7 (achieved or working towards)
• Strong consultancy, influencing and communication skills, a critical eye for detail and a genuine drive to improve how things are done
• A 2:1 degree or above, or equivalent

The details

• Salary: up to £65,000
• Location: London
• Contract: Permanent
• Reporting to: Head of HR
• Working pattern: minimum 4 days in the office during the 3-month probation period, core hours 9am to 5:30pm
• Interview process: two stages, at least one held in person at the London office

If you want to make a real mark on how a leading firm develops its future lawyers, we would love to hear from you.