Description & Requirements
Working closely with the German and Regional Practice Group leads, EMEA Business Managers and recruitment co-ordinators as well as End to End (E2E) to deliver a first-class recruitment experience to all Fee Earner and Early Careers candidates (split by practice group) and Hiring Managers. Execution of full life-cycle recruitment processes (internal and external) to fill role vacancies, leveraging regional and global resources whilst delivering significant hiring numbers in a hands-on and direct sourcing capacity.
Main responsibilities
- Take ownership of the operational execution of end-to-end Fee Earner and Early Careers recruitment, working directly with the Practice Group Business Mangers, including direct sourcing, executing go to market strategy, efficiently managing applications, candidate shortlisting and interviewing, working with hiring managers and office leaders to agree and deliver best practice process and interviews, offer management and pre-onboarding activity, ensuring a seamless transition to Talent colleagues for onboarding
- Lead, coach, and develop the German Recruitment team (2 Mangers), fostering a high-performance culture
- Work with the EMEA Early Careers Senior Manager to design and implementation of the German Graduate Recruitment marketing, attraction and media strategy
- Manage all aspects of the Early Careers events programme, including faculty career days, moot court/ study foundation and legal tech events
- Manage, with the team, the complicated Early Careers application and selection process, including pre selection, the application process, offers and onboarding
- Manage employer branding and digital strategy specific to the local market, while maintaining global brand consistency.
- Supporting the junior lawyer population throughout the employee lifecycle and Proactively lead on and manage all HR related areas for the population.
- Develop strong business relationships with practice group leadership that is underpinned by solid specialist knowledge of both German/ EMEA markets and legal recruitment. Be a subject matter expert
- Maintain a consistent high-quality pipeline of passive and interested inclusive and diverse talent
- Partner with and ensure effective collaboration and communication with practice group leadership and in-market Talent teams to drive best-in-class recruitment and functional cohesiveness
- Work with the Regional Director and Associate Director of Recruitment to continuously improve and implement effective recruitment strategies and processes to ensure sourcing/hiring best practices are implemented and followed across the German offices
- Work with the Regional Director and Associate Director of Recruitment to deliver timely and accurate reporting of all related recruitment activities and use data to drive recruitment performance and track FTE headcount
- Execute recruitment strategies that drive creative sourcing methodologies and reduce dependency on agencies
- Maintain a continuous focus on our ID&E strategy and ensuring inclusive recruitment practices at all times
- Where vendors are used, adhere to preferred supplier strategy to ensure optimal vendor performance and appropriate pricing
- Ensure that all recruitment processes support the Firm's brand and that the Firm provides a world-class candidate experience throughout the selection process
- Ensure adherence to Hiring Committee and budgeting / approvals process at all times
- Developing new and creative strategies in recruiting and employer branding, as well as supporting projects aimed at optimizing recruiting processes
Function
The Firm's People function has responsibility for recruiting, supporting and developing all of the Firm's people, including our Partners, Lawyers and Professional & Business Services, working closely with the Firm's leadership to design and deliver the Firm's people strategy, building on the firm's core commitments to collaboration, excellence and inclusivity. The function includes:
- Talent Management
- Recruitment & Mobility
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Leadership & Learning
- Careers & Performance
- Partner Services and
- Rewards
Technical skills, qualifications and experience
- A completed degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) or a comparable qualification
- Experience of running significant strategic recruitment in a complex global professional services organisation, ideally a law firm
- Extensive experience in delivering Fee Earner and Early Careers recruitment within a German legal services environment
- Strong track record in direct sourcing methodologies and delivery of high quality, diverse talent
- Strong collaborative working style and track record of building deep relationships with senior stakeholders and establishing trusted advisor status
- Able to work at pace, problem solve and deliver solutions against tight timelines under pressure
- Excellent communication skills with both team members and senior and executive stakeholders
- Able to bring good judgement and empathy to sensitive situations
- Strong team spirit, reliability, flexibility, and commitment
- Analytical skills, along with an independent and proactive way of working
- A friendly, service-oriented attitude and a hands-on mindset
- Creativity, ambition, and the motivation to contribute your own ideas, get involved in international projects early on, and engage with innovative HR concepts
Excellent written and spoken German and English skills
Personal Qualities
Know how
- Keeps across key developments in all relevant areas and demonstrates the ability to develop substantive authority in relation to the Firm's specialist fields
- Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distils a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
- Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis
Dedication
- Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards
- Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative and is self-reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
- Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
- Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations
Personal Impact
- Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity
- Negotiates to achieve outcomes that are mutually satisfactory; shows good judgement on when to stand strong and when to compromise
- Invests in, nurtures and builds a network of productive relationships
Humanity
- Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent
- Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people
- Treats delicate or confidential issues with grace and discretion.
About us
At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world-class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.
Additional Information
Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.
Requisition ID: 3018
Posting Date: 22-Jul-2026
Location Type: Hybrid
Full Time or Part Time: Full Time