Early Talent Development Assistant

An exciting opportunity to join an international law firm as an Early Talent Development Assistant. This role provides vital support to our Early Talent Development team in the training and development of trainee solicitors.

Location: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Sheffield or Bristol

About the Role

The Early Talent Development Assistant supports the Early Talent Development Team in the training and development of trainee solicitors during their two-year training contract. As an Assistant, you are required to support the team in all areas of the trainee cycle and be able to work effectively at all levels, from peers to partners. The Early Talent Development Assistant reports to the Early Talent Development Manager and Early Talent Administration Team Leader and will perform some project-based activities working alongside the wider team based in Bristol, London, Sheffield, Manchester and Scotland.

The Early Talent Development Assistant will be responsible for:
* Supporting the delivery of the following programme components: trainee induction, ongoing training, seat rotation, client and international secondment opportunities, qualification process and appraisals
* Working closely with the Early Talent Development Advisors to ensure the induction requirements meet trainee and SRA/Scottish Law Society requirements
* Being involved in the administrational support of seat rotations (payroll, data inputting, liaising with HR for system updates), and ensure all first seat trainees are met on an individual basis three months after they join to establish their preferred seat choices and address and problems or concerns that may have arisen
* Designing and updating documents to assist with seat rotation choices from the trainees.
* Providing pastoral support to all trainees during their two year training contract
* Management of relocation and trainee expenses
* Supporting the Early Talent Development Team with the coordination and implementation of the six monthly qualification process including briefings, individual pre-qualification meetings, sitting on the qualification committee and liaising between trainees and partners where appropriate
* Communicating with trainees who are approaching qualification, ensuring they understand the deadlines involved and have the required paperwork for qualification. Reviewing all paperwork once received, ensuring it has been completed correctly and submitting to the SRA in a timely
manner, including processing subsequent payments through the internal system and tracking on
the budget.
* Assisting the team during the NQ process and managing NQ employment contracts
* Planning various trainee events with assistance from the Early Talent Acquisition &
Development Events Coordinator, including liaising with on-site teams and third parties.
* Supporting the Early Talent Development Manager to ensure the performance review process is
robust, timely and fit for purpose
* Management of appraisal and development processes. Counsel trainees who seek guidance
following their performance review; advise supervisors regarding delivery of difficult
feedback
* Keeping abreast of the appropriate regulations and proactively inform and educate stakeholders;
ensure full compliance to SRA/Scottish Law Society requirements for trainee solicitors
* Tracking and reporting on annual graduate development budget/s with a keen eye for budget
over-runs. Provide weekly updates to the Early Talent Development Manager
* Managing the Early Talent Development mailbox (shared with other administrators)
* Managing databases/trackers ensuring accurate reports can be compiled
* Other ad hoc duties as required

About You

The ideal candidate will:
* Be educated to A level standard, ideally of graduate calibre
* Have strong IT skills across major Microsoft Office applications, and experience in using databases or
case management software
* Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills - written and spoken
* Have knowledge of the early talent and development landscape, and associated administration
processes
* Demonstrate excellent attention to detail

Behavioural Competencies:
* Enthusiastic individual, prepared to take a hands on approach to managing their workload using
their own initiative.
* Excellent proven organisational skills, with the ability to multi-task and keep calm under pressure
* Team player with a positive attitude, willing to support the rest of the team
* Flexible and willing to work additional hours when necessary in the peak graduate season