Manager, Legal Talent Acquisition

DLA Piper; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 129,808 - 189,199; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision coverage

401(k) plan

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

DLA Piper is seeking an experienced Manager, Legal Talent Acquisition to develop and implement recruiting processes aligned with the firm’s strategic initiatives. The role supports partner and time-keeper hiring with a strong emphasis on service excellence and stakeholder engagement.

The position offers hybrid work, and candidates may be based in multiple offices including Dallas or Houston. A minimum of five years in legal recruiting is required; a bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• 5 years’ recruiting experience in a law firm or legal/professional services environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; High School Diploma or GED required.
• Excellent written and oral communication; ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of US visa processes and requirements.
• Ability to handle confidential information and manage multiple projects.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Partners with hiring managers to understand role requirements and deliver tailored sourcing strategies.
• Leads lateral hiring for partner and non-partner roles within assigned practice groups.
• Assesses candidates using structured evaluation methods for quality and consistency.
• Designs and implements recruitment programs and initiatives with clear communication.
• Conducts interviews and evaluates candidates with a fair, stakeholder-focused approach.
• Leads offer management, including creating, negotiating, and finalizing offers.
• Oversees background and reference checks and onboarding coordination.
• Collaborates with marketing on recruitment-related outreach to support employer branding.
• Manages full requisition lifecycle from creation to closure and provides leadership with updates.

Skills

Communication

Fast-paced environment

US Visa knowledge

Confidentiality

Multi-tasking

Problem solving

Travel flexibility

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Summary

The Manager, Legal Talent Acquisition, working in collaboration with and in support of the firm’s strategic initiatives, creates and implements effective processes for recruiting and hiring talented experienced client-facing time-keepers.

Location

While Austin and Chicago are the preferred locations for this role, there is flexibility. The position can be based in any of our offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, or Baltimore. Additionally, we offer a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities

• Partners with hiring managers to understand role requirements and deliver a high standard of service excellence, developing tailored sourcing strategies aligned to business and practice group needs.
• Leads lateral hiring efforts for partner and non-partner roles within assigned practice groups, delivering a strategic approach to talent acquisition while ensuring exceptional service for all stakeholders.
• Assesses candidates using structured evaluation methods, ensuring a high-quality, consistent, and stakeholder-focused selection process aligned to skills, and experience.
• Designs and implements recruitment programs and initiatives, ensuring effective communication strategies and delivering exceptional service to stakeholders throughout execution.
• Conducts interviews and evaluates candidates with a commitment to fairness, consistency, and a superior candidate and stakeholder experience.
• Leads offer management, including creating, negotiating, and finalizing offers.
• Oversees new hire/rehire screening processes, including background and reference checks, ensuring timely communication and adherence to compliance and service excellence standards.
• Collaborates with the digital marketing team on recruitment-related social media outreach, enhancing employer brand with consistent, stakeholder-aligned messaging.
• Prepares and oversees all communications related to legal hires, handling the coordination of interviews, relocation arrangements, bar exam assistance, and onboarding logistics to ensure an exceptional, personalized experience at every stage. Works in close collaboration with hiring partners throughout the offer process and integration, fostering a seamless transition for new team members.
• Maintains strong stakeholder engagement, providing proactive updates, gathering feedback, and advising on hiring strategies with responsiveness and professionalism.
• Collaborates with Student Recruitment Manager to support summer programs (budget, programming, assignments, evaluations), ensuring an outstanding experience for all participants.
• Monitors market trends and partners with leadership to provide insights on compensation, bonuses, and development to inform decision-making.
• Oversees recruitment administration, including systems tracking, data integrity, audits, and referral processes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
• Manages the full requisition lifecycle, including creation, approvals, postings, and closure, maintaining transparency and high service standards.
• Plans and executes recruiting events and initiatives, strengthening the firm’s brand and enhancing stakeholder experience.
• Provides reporting and insights to business and HR leadership, delivering clear, timely, and actionable information.
• Manages recruiting budgets and resources, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and efficient use of funds.
• Participates in staff meetings and cross-functional initiatives, contributing to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develops and executes short- and long-term workforce planning strategies, aligned to business objectives and practice group priorities.
• Provides leadership and development to team members through coaching, mentoring, and continuous feedback, fostering a high-performing team culture.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Desired Skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to work in a fast‑paced environment; have general knowledge and understanding of US Visa process and requirements; must be creative and detail‑oriented; knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel; ability to handle difficult situations professionally and tactfully; ability to solve problems; ability to multi‑task and manage projects; must be able to treat confidential information in a professional manner. May need to travel on occasion.

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s Degree.

Minimum Years Of Experience

• 5 years’ recruiting experience in a law firm or legal/professional services environment.

Essential Job Expectations

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.
• Foster positive work relationships.
• Comply with all firm policies and practices.
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast‑paced environment.
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment

The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in‑office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm’s discretion in the future.

Disclaimer

The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm’s discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at‑will nature of employment.

Application Process

Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact [e-mail].

Agency applications will not be considered.

No immigration sponsorship is available for this position.

The firm’s expected hiring range for this position is $129,808 - $189,199 per year depending on the candidate’s geographic market location.

The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate’s experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Applicants who are not based in the jurisdiction in which this position is posted and who apply for this role are doing so voluntarily and are not eligible for relocation assistance. Any relocation benefits, if any, are provided only where a relocation is required at the firm’s direction and in accordance with applicable policy and law.

DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.