The Kennedys HR team support the firm around the world with all people related matters.
The HR team is based in various locations globally across Kennedys’ 5 regions; APAC, EMEA, US, LATAM and UK. The areas of HR that we have responsibility for are Business Partnering, Learning and Development, Recruitment, Responsible Business, Policies and Operations, Reward and HR Systems.
You will be working in a fast-paced, demanding, and global environment as we strive to make a difference for our people, clients and communities where we work.
The US Senior Manager, Recruitment role is a hands-on leader to execute recruitment efforts that support the continued growth of our US business. The Senior Manager will be responsible to support all search efforts by organizing and analyzing recruiting data, highlighting legal market trends, and supporting the firm’s strategic growth initiatives, with a specific focus on targeted growth markets and practice areas. This role requires a proactive leader who is equally comfortable developing recruitment strategies, leading a recruitment team of 5 and rolling up their sleeves to directly identify, engage, and secure top talent while building the firm’s brand across the US region.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• 8+ years of progressive experience in recruitment, with at least 4 years in a leadership/managerial role focused on US hiring including lateral attorney and business services recruitment and at least 2 years in an executive recruiting role at a search firm is highly preferred.
• Experience of executive level recruitment is an advantage.
• Strong project management skills and able to evidence ability to drive change and transformation.
• Excellent written and oral communication, with excellent attention to detail.
• Deep knowledge of US recruitment practices, employment laws, and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to manage and develop high-performing recruitment teams.
• Experience recruiting across multiple disciplines and levels, including executive searches, in a legal or law firm environment.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using recruitment metrics and HRIS/ATS systems (e.g., Workday, Greenhouse, Lever).
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Works collaboratively with a consultative approach, and a strong ability to influence and guide senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success driving diversity hiring programs and inclusive recruitment strategies.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., SHRM-SCP, AIRS, LinkedIn Recruiter Certification) are desirable.
• Excellent business acumen, commercial awareness and administrative skills
• Able to manage competing/conflicting priorities effectively to achieve objectives
• Bachelor’s degree is desirable.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute comprehensive US recruitment strategies aligned with business goals and workforce planning.
• Take an active, hands-on role in sourcing and identifying qualified candidates / groups of businesses for critical positions across the US region, particularly during periods of high growth or priority hiring. Work with the global recruitment team, and wider US leadership team to develop and deliver a consistent and effective recruitment service; engage effectively with practice group leaders on specific growth efforts.
• Lead initiatives to improve data structure and organization within recruiting systems to track, analyze, and identify trends that support decision-making through data-driven insights.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of recruiters, setting clear goals and ensuring high performance.
• Partner closely with US leadership team, practice group leaders, hiring managers and senior Business Services leadership to understand talent needs and build effective pipelines, including lateral and partner hires.
• Oversee full-cycle recruitment for a variety of roles including Partner, attorney, trainee and Business Services roles.
• Lead on-campus recruitment of trainees with a strategic approach to building the Kennedys brand amongst this population.
• Implement best practices for sourcing, screening, interviewing, and candidate engagement.
• Approve employment offers and prepare employment offer letters; track non-standard offer terms.
• Oversee the development, review, and upkeep of all job descriptions, ensuring they are current and stored in an organized, centralized database for easy access and reference.
• Ensure compliance with US employment laws, EEO/AA guidelines, and diverse hiring initiatives.
• Utilize data and recruitment metrics to measure effectiveness, and optimize the hiring process.
• Drive employer branding efforts and candidate experience improvements.
• Manage relationships with external recruitment agencies and leverage relationships to drive effective hiring practices.
• Lead diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) recruitment initiatives to build a diverse workforce.
• Stay updated on US labor market trends, recruitment technologies, and industry best practices.
• Manage recruitment budgets and vendor contracts efficiently.
• Responsibility for drafting and issuing of employment documentation including offer letters.

GENERAL DUTIES

• Maintain the high standard of service offered to the firm’s internal clients and to assist in creating and developing the professional reputation of the function
• Understand and live by Kennedys values – approachable, straightforward, supportive and distinctive
• Be subject to varying degrees of supervision on a day-to-day basis
• Create and maintain professional and positive relationships with partners and employees
• Work in line with the firm’s Contribution Areas which are specific to your role and level
• Maintain trust and confidentiality at all times
• Act as a Trusted Advisor by building relationships across all business services teams to ensure a consistent approach and service
• Undertake any specific training as and when required
• Operate safely and considerately in the workplace.
  The annualized salary range for this role is $160,000-$195,000. However, this is contingent upon level of experience, location and other job-related factors permitted by law.
  FLSA Status: Exempt
  This is a developing role, and the job description is not exhaustive and may vary in line with changes in the team’s objectives and firm policy