Director of Legal Recruiting (Hybrid)

We are a Firm where people truly believe in what they do and strive to achieve the highest standards of performance and success.

This role can be based in our global operations center in Tampa or at one of the Firm’s offices in Dallas or Houston. 

General Description:

We are seeking a Director of Legal Recruiting to join our team. The Director of Legal Recruiting is responsible for leading the attorney recruiting and hiring efforts within the firm, promoting a best-in-class recruiting program to attract high-caliber legal talent at all levels, including partners and associates. This role involves developing strategies to attract, assess, and hire top legal talent while overseeing a team of recruiters.  The Director of Legal Recruiting is a strategic thinker and thought leader, developing creative solutions to further the firm’s legal recruiting goals. The Director of Legal Recruiting manages departmental operations and promotes an atmosphere of teamwork, engagement, and individual professional growth. 

The Director of Legal Recruiting reports to the firm's Chief Professional Development and Human Resources Officer and works closely with section, practice group, and office leadership to recruit and hire attorneys at all experience levels. In this hybrid position, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues both in person and virtually.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

• Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute a comprehensive, best-in-class attorney recruiting strategy aligned with the firm's recruiting and business objectives that positions the firm to attract high-caliber legal talent consistent with the firm’s culture and values.  Collaborate with leadership to understand attorney hiring needs and priorities.  Evaluate and recommend technology tools, including those that use artificial intelligence, to enhance processes for the identification and selection of candidates to improve recruiting outcomes.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and manage a team of legal recruiting professionals to ensure the team's effectiveness in delivering quality results. Foster an environment of teamwork, engagement, and professional growth.
• Legal Recruiting Trends: Stay up to date with industry best practices, market data, and emerging trends to ensure the firm remains competitive and innovative in its attorney recruiting approach.
• External Stakeholders: Establish, enhance, and manage relationships with external recruiters, law schools, and other legal recruiting service providers. Enhance relationships with key external stakeholders to further the firm’s brand and develop recruiting opportunities.  Oversee the contracting process with external recruiters, ensuring alignment with the firm’s business objectives.
• Process Optimization: Continuously review recruiting processes and workflows to identify opportunities for automation and efficiencies. Streamline processes using technological capabilities, including artificial intelligence tools consistent with the firm’s artificial intelligence policies and protocols.
• Recruiting Analytics Strategy: In partnership with other internal stakeholders, develop and execute a comprehensive recruiting data analytics strategy to inform recruiting-related business decisions. Identify key recruiting metrics and performance indicators. Leverage technology to present information in a clear and compelling manner to support decision-making. 
• Data Management: Ensure the integrity, security, and accuracy of recruiting data. Work with the Information Governance group to establish and implement data governance protocols.
• Budgeting: Lead the annual budget process for legal recruiting and be accountable for spending within approved budget allocations.
• Special projects and duties as assigned

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to earn the trust and respect of firm leaders and colleagues; executive presence.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a team, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented work environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively across departments and functional areas to achieve business objectives.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative while also working collaboratively with others in a team environment.
• Ability to assimilate information quickly and to grasp big picture concepts as well as details; demonstrated business and technological acumen, including experience with AI-related recruiting technology, to translate business needs into solutions.
• Flexibility to respond quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities; ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple, detailed tasks.
• Strong knowledge of attorney recruiting processes and operations. Demonstrated process improvement skills.
• Ability to anticipate issues and exercise good judgment in recommending solutions.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to produce quality work product under time constraints.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.

Required Qualifications & Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required; JD degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in and extensive knowledge of law firm attorney recruiting.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time
• Moderate or advanced keyboard usage

Benefits: Our goal is to promote a work environment in which individuals have access to the resources they need to be their best both professionally and personally, which includes resources that encourage individuals to focus on their health and well-being.

Below is a list of just some of the benefits we offer: comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs), dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners; life and AD&D insurance; short and long term disability insurance; tax-advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSAs and HSAs; FSAs for dependent care; health advocacy services; behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members; 401(k); profit sharing; pre-tax transit and parking program; backup dependent care; senior care planning support; resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers; and paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents.

Benefits may vary by position and office.

Holland & Knight is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other factor prohibited by law.

Personal Information collected from applicants will be used for the purpose of processing the application throughout any recruitment or employment process, as well as inclusion in a personnel file. Categories of data collected may include name, address, phone numbers, email, Social Security Number, and signature. Holland & Knight may collect further information if you consent to a background check. This includes criminal background, employment, and certifications. Please visit Legal Information Portal for Holland & Knight LLP’s privacy policies.