Director of Recruiting

Director of Recruiting

San Francisco or Los Angeles Preferred

The Director of Recruiting will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive talent acquisition strategy for attorneys and professional staff, aligning recruitment efforts with the firm’s growth objectives and talent needs.

This role requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the legal industry and a proven track record in recruitment.

This role is crucial for driving growth and maintaining the firm's reputation as a premier employer in the legal industry.

This position requires the individual reside in California, and will have a designation to Hanson Bridgett’s San Francisco or Los Angeles offices.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with Section Leaders, Department Heads, and Executive Leadership to shape long-term recruiting strategies aligned with the firm’s strategic goals.
• Lead the integration of staff recruitment into the firm’s broader talent acquisition framework, ensuring that both attorney and staff hiring meets the firm’s evolving needs.
• Anticipate future hiring demands and implement proactive recruitment strategies to meet the firm’s staffing goals across all levels, including attorneys, administrative professionals, and specialized roles.
• Foster strategic relationships with external search firms, recruitment networks, and industry leaders to position the firm as a preferred employer in competitive markets.

Attorney Recruitment

• Lead the Strategic Growth and Lateral Partner Recruiting Committee, driving the strategic identification and recruitment of high-value lateral partners, and ensuring alignment with the firm’s growth objectives and culture.
• Manages all aspects of the lateral partner hiring process, including performing department / practice group specific needs assessments;

engaging appropriate search firms; identifying partner candidates and appropriately vetting them; facilitating strategy meetings and calls with Section and Practice Group leadership.

• Develops and manages relationships with preferred search firms to promote the Firm and lateral opportunities; works with Practice Groups and Marketing to develop lateral recruitment collateral for search firms and candidates.
• Collaborate with Professional Development and Section and / or Practice Group Leaders to facilitate seamless integration for lateral hires and support their long-term success.

Professional Staff Recruitment

Oversee the professional staff recruitment efforts, working closely with department heads to identify and address hiring needs in alignment with business goals.

Team Management

• Oversee and mentor the recruiting team, providing strategic direction and support for recruiting prioritization.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on results, collaboration, and innovation in recruitment practices.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

• In collaboration with the DEI team, execute DEI recruitment initiatives, ensuring alignment with the firm’s DEI goals and compliance with standards such as the Mansfield Rule.
• Work closely with the DEI team and firm leadership to implement programs that enhance diverse candidate pipelines and foster an inclusive hiring environment.

Recruitment Data and Trends

• Analyze internal and external recruitment data to identify trends, forecast hiring needs, and provide strategic insights to firm leadership.
• Monitor industry trends, including compensation, offer structures, and market demand, to ensure the firm remains competitive.

Employer Branding

• Enhance the firm's reputation as an employer of choice by collaborating with industry associations, law schools and professional organizations to increase visibility and promote the firm as a top employer in key talent pools.
• In collaboration and partnership with HR, design and optimize a best-in-class candidate journey from initial engagement through to onboarding, ensuring that every touchpoint reflects the employer brand and fosters a positive experience.

Budget and Resource Management

Develop and manage the recruiting budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to support recruitment goals and events.

Required Skills, Abilities, and Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in recruiting, preferably within a professional services or law firm environment. 5+ years of management experience.
• Bachelor's degree. A JD or advanced degree is a plus.
• Proven experience in developing, implementing, and iterating a strategic talent acquisition plan(s) that aligns to a firm's overall strategic plan.
• Strong leadership capabilities with an ability to influence and build trust across all levels of the firm.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and talent strategy.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with firm leadership, candidates, and external partners.
• Proficient in applicant tracking systems and recruitment software.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with metrics-driven decision-making.

Salary

Hanson Bridgett offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The annual salary for this California-based role is anticipated to be in the area of $250,000 - $290,000, and represents the firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Actual compensation is negotiable, and will depend upon a number of factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s years of experience, qualifications, and skill set.