Associate Recruiting Manager - Corporate Lateral Associates

Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s leading global law firms advising the businesses and institutions that drive the global economy. We are market leaders in major financial and business centers around the world. Our investment in people, commitment to innovation, and focus on the future empower you to build an incredible career and thrive as an exceptional professional in a supportive culture.

About the Role

The Associate Recruiting Manager - Corporate Lateral Associates is an integral part of Latham’s Associate Recruiting team. This role offers an opportunity to shape how the firm attracts and hires exceptional lateral associate talent while working closely with practice, department, and office leaders across the firm. As a trusted advisor to key stakeholders, you will provide market intelligence, develop tailored recruiting strategies, and lead searches from initial planning through successful hire. You will also manage and develop members of the recruiting team, strengthen relationships with external search firms, and identify opportunities to make our recruiting approach more effective, informed, and responsive to the needs of the business. This role will be located in either our New York, Chicago, or Washington D.C. office and may be eligible for a flexible working schedule that allows for a hybrid and in-office presence.

Responsibilities

• Partner with practice, department, and office leaders to understand hiring needs and develop thoughtful, tailored lateral associate recruiting strategies
• Serve as a trusted advisor by providing market intelligence, candidate insights, and practical guidance throughout the recruiting process
• Lead lateral associate searches from initial strategy and candidate identification through interviews, offers, and successful hiring
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities to recruit qualified lateral associate candidates through direct sourcing, attorney referrals, search firms, and other recruiting channels
• Build and manage productive relationships with external search firms and vendors, including evaluating performance, negotiating fees, and improving processes
• Prepare and communicate comprehensive recruiting statistics, market updates, and progress reports, ensuring alignment with practice group needs
• Organize, delegate, and coordinate staff work, manage workflow, and conduct performance evaluations
• Protect and maintain highly sensitive, confidential, privileged, financial, and/or proprietary information

Requirements

• Possess excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, including organizing, planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and effective interaction with all organizational levels
• Enjoy advising senior stakeholders and translating business needs into practical recruiting strategies
• Display proficiency in PC applications, including MS Office, database management, and applicant tracking systems, with the ability to conduct thorough analyses and reports
• Demonstrate handling of confidential and sensitive information with appropriate discretion

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in legal recruitment, preferably with ownership over lateral associate recruiting
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience leading, supervising, or developing others, whether through direct management or project leadership
• Experience using data and market information to identify trends, assess progress, and support decisions

Benefits

• Healthcare, life, and disability insurance
• A generous 401k plan
• At least 11 paid holidays per year, and a PTO program that accrues 23 days during the first year of employment and grows with tenure
• Well-being programs (e.g., mental health services, mindfulness and resiliency, medical resources, well-being events, and more)
• Professional development programs
• Employee discounts
• Affinity groups, networks, and coalitions for lawyers and staff

Pay

USD $150,000.00 - USD $180,000.00 per year, with bonuses awarded in recognition of both individual and firm performance.