Director of Recruiting

Job Summary

Kutak Rock, a nationally recognized Am Law 200 firm, seeks a Director of Recruiting to join its national Human Resource team. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), this position works in close alignment with the CHRO and the Director of HR to develop and implement talent acquisition strategies for both attorneys and professional staff that support the overall business objectives of the Firm. The role requires strong cross-collaboration with office administrative managers, attorney leaders and national department leaders to drive the Firm’s overall recruiting strategy. The ideal candidate will have a strategic mindset, extensive experience in law firm recruiting across multiple offices, and a demonstrated ability to build high-performing recruiting functions in a collegial and collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Aid in designing and leading the Firm's recruiting strategy across all offices, encompassing attorney recruiting (lateral associates, partners, of counsel, and entry-level hires through law school programs and summer associate oversight) and professional staff recruiting
• Partner with practice group leaders, Firm leadership, and administrative managers to identify hiring needs across all functions and ensure successful integration of new hires
• Drive end-to-end recruiting processes for attorneys and professional staff — from sourcing through offer negotiation, onboarding, and integration
• Supervise recruiting team members, providing mentorship and ensuring operational consistency across all offices
• Develop structured interview frameworks and train hiring panels on effective interviewing techniques for both attorney and staff positions
• Maintain strong relationships with law schools, legal and professional search firms, and industry associations (NALP, ALA, SHRM)
• Analyze market trends, peer firm practices, and compensation data to keep the Firm competitive in attracting top talent across all roles
• Manage recruitment metrics and leverage the Firm's applicant tracking system to drive data-informed improvements
• Oversee recruiting vendor agreements, including search firm contracts and job advertising services

Qualifications: Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing recruiting teams across multiple locations
• Strategic mindset with deep knowledge of the legal talent market and broader professional recruiting best practices
• Proven experience with full-cycle recruiting for attorneys and professional staff, from sourcing through onboarding
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to inform recruiting strategy
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, applicant tracking systems, and legal recruiting platforms (e.g., viAderant, LinkedIn Recruiter, Legal Compass)

Qualifications: Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree is required; J.D. strongly preferred
• 8+ years of recruiting experience in a law firm or professional services environment, including 4+ years in a leadership role overseeing both legal and professional staff recruiting functions
• Experience with law school relations, summer associate programs, lateral recruiting, and professional staff talent acquisition
• NALP membership preferred; HR certification (PHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP/SCP) a plus

Position Information

• Status: Exempt
• Salary Range: $155,000-$190,000 Per year, commensurate with education and experience.
• Discretionary Bonus: This position may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus based on individual performance, departmental performance, and overall Firm financial results. Any bonus is determined by the Firm in its sole discretion, is not guaranteed, and does not create an entitlement to a bonus in any subsequent year.
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid
• Benefits: Medical, Dental