Human Resources Manager (Trainees)

Job purpose

To lead and develop the Firm’s Trainee Solicitor Programme, overseeing the Trainee Solicitor lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding through to qualification and ensuring a high-quality, compliant, and well-managed training experience. The role will also lead the delivery of the Firm’s Vacation Scheme and provide broader generalist HR support, working collaboratively as part of the wider HR team.

The team

Devonshires has been based in the City of London for more than 150 years. From our offices in London, Leeds, Birmingham & Colchester we provide legal services throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Our clients range from some of the world’s largest multi-national corporations to private individuals. We act for a significant number of charities, housing associations, and Regulators. We would describe ourselves as “full service” with specialists in Banking, Commercial/Corporate, Civil Litigation, Construction, Housing, Employment, Real Estate & Projects, and Property Development.

Duties and responsibilities

Trainee Solicitor Strategy

• Work closely and meet regularly with the Training Principal to ensure the effective delivery and continuous development of the Firm’s Trainee Solicitor Programme
• Act as the key internal and external point of contact for all matters relating to Training Contracts and the Trainee Solicitor lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders, including the Training Principal, Heads of Department, Supervisors, Recruitment Manager, and general HR Team
• Work closely with external agencies, professional bodies, and other relevant organisations to promote the Firm’s Training Contract offering and employer brand.
• Support the Firm’s participation in relevant industry surveys, benchmarking exercises, and research, using market insight to inform the development of the Trainee Solicitor Programme
• Attend relevant industry events, seminars, and webinars to maintain knowledge of emerging trends, best practice and developments in trainee recruitment, development, and qualification.
• Benchmark the Firm’s Training Contract processes and offering against comparable law firms and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Continuously review the Trainee Solicitor strategy, working with the Training Principal and Recruitment Manager to ensure that the programme supports the Firm’s current and future business needs.
• Monitor relevant regulatory, market and sector developments and advise the Training Principal and HR team of any implications for the Firm’s Trainee Solicitor Programme
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and management information relating to the Trainee Solicitor Programme, using data and feedback to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

Recruitment, Onboarding & Induction

• Work with Heads of Department to understand current and future Trainee Solicitor resource requirements and support the allocation of headcount in line with business needs.
• Support the Recruitment Manager with the organisation and delivery of the Firm’s Trainee Solicitor recruitment process, including preparation and logistics, advertising, shortlisting, psychometric testing, interview scheduling, assessment centres, final interviews and offers.
• Work with the Recruitment Manager to ensure that unsuccessful candidates receive timely, meaningful, and constructive feedback.
• Keep Heads of Department and Supervisors informed regarding internal candidates and meet with unsuccessful individuals to provide constructive feedback and support, as appropriate, to maintain engagement and support their ongoing development.
• Analyse recruitment and performance data to identify trends and assess the relationship between candidate assessment outcomes and subsequent performance as a Trainee Solicitor
• Maintain regular communication with future Trainee Solicitors from offer stage through to their start date, ensuring engagement is maintained and questions are addressed in a timely manner.
• Manage the onboarding of Trainee Solicitors, ensuring that all pre-employment and offer conditions are satisfied and that relevant regulatory and administrative requirements are completed.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate the Trainee Solicitor Induction Programme, ensuring that Trainee Solicitors receive a comprehensive introduction to the Firm, its culture, policies, systems, expectations, and development opportunities.
• Initiate the Trainee Mentor and Buddy Programme for each new Trainee joiner, ensuring they alternative sources of support and guidance.
• Review and evaluate the induction process regularly, incorporating feedback from new Trainee Solicitors and key stakeholders to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

Trainee Solicitor & Training Contract Management

• Ensure that the Firm’s Training Contract Programme meets the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and changes.
• Maintain accurate records relating to Training Contracts, including Trainee Solicitor progress, seat rotations, performance, study, and exam leave and qualification.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for Trainee Solicitors throughout their Training Contract, providing advice, guidance, and support on employment matters.
• Advise Heads of Department and Supervisors on Trainee Solicitor employee relations, performance, conduct, and absence matters, seeking guidance from the Senior HR Manager and Head of HR where appropriate.
• Monitor absence and attendance issues affecting Trainee Solicitors, ensuring that the Firm’s absence management procedures are followed and that appropriate documentation and records are maintained.
• Manage sickness absence processes, including self-certification, medical evidence, absence reporting, sickness absence meetings, and referrals to Occupational Health where appropriate.
• Liaise with Trainee Solicitors over any extended leave e.g. maternity, paternity, adoption. Explaining entitlement under the policies, advising Facilities as required from a H&S perspective, updating Supervisors and Heads of Department, and Joiners/Leavers. Instructing Payroll as required and advising HR Systems to update the database.
• Liaise with relevant internal stakeholders, including Facilities, Payroll, HR Systems and Joiners/Leavers, to ensure that changes to employment arrangements are appropriately communicated and recorded.
• Manage the Trainee Solicitor seat rotation process, liaising with the Training Principal, Heads of Department, Supervisors and Trainee Solicitors to balance business requirements with development needs and preferences.
• Provide Trainee Solicitors with appropriate guidance regarding seat choices and career development, ensuring that expectations are managed effectively throughout the rotation process.
• Coordinate and guide the mid-seat and end-of-seat appraisal processes in conjunction with Supervisors, ensuring that feedback is timely, meaningful, and appropriately documented.
• Monitor Trainee Solicitor performance and proactively identify and address performance, conduct, engagement, or wellbeing concerns, working with relevant stakeholders as appropriate.
• Provide advice and support to Supervisors in relation to the effective management, supervision, and development of Trainee Solicitors
• Liaise with the relevant course provider to manage enrolment on the Professional Skills Course and monitor Trainee Solicitor progress throughout the programme.
• Oversee the SQE study sponsorship process, including the management of study and examination leave, expenses, payments, records, and progress monitoring.
• Maintain regular communication with Trainee Solicitors undertaking SQE studies and provide appropriate support throughout the qualification process.
• Identify, source, and coordinate relevant learning and development opportunities for Trainee Solicitors, ensuring that they are appropriately equipped to perform effectively and progress within the Firm.
• Work with Supervisors and other key stakeholders to identify development needs and ensure that Trainee Solicitors receive appropriate support, feedback, and opportunities to develop their technical and professional skills.
• Monitor engagement and feedback, identifying trends and making recommendations to improve the overall Trainee Solicitor experience.

Qualification

• Manage the internal NQ recruitment and qualification process, liaising with Trainee Solicitors to understand their qualification interests and working with Heads of Department to identify current and future NQ resource requirements.
• Coordinate the qualification timeline and ensure that key stakeholders are aware of relevant deadlines and requirements.
• Advertise NQ roles transparently, with clear processes and timelines, and coordinate applications, interviews, assessments and offers in conjunction with relevant Heads of Department
• Ensure that the NQ recruitment process is delivered consistently and fairly, in accordance with the Firm’s policies and procedures.
• Provide support and guidance to Trainee Solicitors throughout the qualification process, including those who are unsuccessful in obtaining an NQ position.
• Deliver a Qualification Event for Trainees and Partners celebrating their accomplishment.
• Where appropriate, support unsuccessful candidates in accessing external career advice, outplacement support, and other relevant resources.
• Manage and record requests for Qualification Leave, advising Payroll as needed.
• Coordinate with qualifying Trainee Solicitors to ensure that they complete the necessary steps to apply for admission and obtain a Practising Certificate on qualification.
• Ensure that all relevant qualification and admission records are accurately maintained.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to support the transition from Trainee Solicitor to NQ Solicitor, ensuring a smooth and well-managed transition.

Vacation Scheme

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of the Firm’s Summer Vacation Scheme, ensuring a high-quality experience for participants and effective engagement with the Firm’s future talent pipeline.
• Support the Recruitment Manager with the organisation and delivery of the Vacation Scheme recruitment process, including preparation and logistics, advertising, shortlisting, psychometric testing, and interview scheduling.
• Work with the Recruitment Manager to ensure that unsuccessful candidates receive timely, meaningful, and constructive feedback.
• Analyse recruitment and performance data to identify trends and assess the relationship between candidate assessment outcomes and performance during the Vacation Scheme and subsequent Training Contract recruitment.
• Manage the onboarding of Vacation Scheme Students, ensuring that all offer conditions and pre-employment requirements are satisfied and that students are allocated appropriate departments and Supervisors.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate the Vacation Scheme, ensuring that students receive a structured and engaging programme that provides a broad insight into the Firm, its culture, practice areas, and career opportunities.
• Ensure that Vacation Scheme Students receive appropriate training, guidance and support throughout the scheme and have meaningful opportunities to undertake work, develop their skills, and engage with colleagues across the Firm.
• Coordinate opportunities for students to learn about the Firm through presentations, workshops, networking opportunities, shadowing, social activities, and other relevant activities.
• Ensure that the work and experience of Vacation Scheme Students is appropriately assessed throughout the scheme.
• Support the Recruitment Manager with the design and delivery of formal assessments and other evaluation activities during the scheme.
• Maintain regular communication with Supervisors and other stakeholders throughout the scheme to ensure that students are appropriately supported.
• Collate and analyse structured feedback from Supervisors, Trainee Solicitors, Partners, and other individuals involved in the scheme to inform decisions regarding invitations to final interview for Training Contracts
• Lead post-scheme evaluation and obtain feedback from students and key stakeholders to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate records and management information relating to the Vacation Scheme, including student feedback and assessment outcomes.
• Work with the Recruitment Manager to evaluate the success of the Vacation Scheme and make recommendations for future recruitment and development activity.

Person specification

Essential skills

• 2:1 degree or above, or equivalent
• CIPD Level 7 qualified (or working towards)
• At least three years’ experience working in a law firm
• Experience of working in a legal environment with Trainee Solicitors, including induction/onboarding, seat rotations, appraisals, and performance management; as well as qualification process
• Knowledge of both the traditional Training Contract and SQE routes to qualification.
• Experience of developing and delivering assessment centres and Vacation Schemes.
• Excellent computer skills (competent in Outlook, Excel, and Word)
• In depth knowledge of HR best practice & understanding of HR strategy
• Commercially aware with a focus on delivering results
• Identifying areas that require improvement and designing solutions that suit the business needs
• Strong consultancy, communication, influencing, and interpersonal skills combined with drive and personal integrity
• Have a critical eye for detail and have the ability to follow processes and procedures.
• Good time management skills with the ability to prioritise workload, to have a flexible approach to ensure all deadlines are met and to ensure that all work is of the highest possible standard
• Must be able to work as part of a team and possess excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• The successful candidate will be a self-starter and highly organised