Senior Manager of Legal Recruiting and Integration
About the role
Thompson Coburn, a large full-service law firm with offices in eight cities across the U.S., is seeking a full-time exempt Senior Manager of Legal Recruiting & Integration to join one of its offices in Birmingham, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, or Washington, D.C. Under the leadership of the Chief Legal Recruiting Officer, this position will lead strategic recruiting and integration initiatives related to lateral partner hires, office growth, practice expansion, and group acquisitions, supporting firm growth objectives.
Responsibilities
- Partner with the Chief Legal Recruiting Officer to develop and execute attorney recruiting and integration strategies.
- Provide leadership and operational oversight to the Legal Recruiting team.
- Oversee the firmwide Summer Associate program.
- Support strategic hiring initiatives through market research, competitive intelligence, and analysis of attorney talent trends.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with legal search firms, law schools, recruiting organizations, and industry contacts.
- Develop and manage integration programs and onboarding plans for entry-level associates, lateral attorneys, partners, and groups.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for attorney integration matters.
- Establish, implement, and continuously refine best practices, strategies, processes, and materials related to attorney onboarding and integration.
- Track integration progress, prepare reports and metrics, evaluate outcomes, and document lessons learned.
- Supervise the coordinator and specialist positions; provide performance-related coaching and feedback to direct reports; formally review and evaluate performance and recommend compensation adjustments.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
- Ability to provide leadership, support, and influence to team members through initiative, collaboration, and subject matter expertise.
- Attention to detail; ability to balance multiple projects and priorities; strong time management skills.
- Ability to process routine daily functions while resolving sensitive issues and complex assignments using above-average critical thinking skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey information clearly, build relationships, and interact effectively with all employees at all levels.
- High level of professionalism and interpersonal skills to work well with employees at all levels and maintain confidentiality.
- Tact and diplomacy in dealing with others.
- Full-time position requiring a minimum of 40 hours per week; may require working outside normal business hours and traveling as necessary.
Experience and Education Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree preferred.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in legal recruiting or a closely related field required.
- Minimum of three (3) years prior management experience required.
- Prior experience working within a law firm environment required.
Pay
For applicants based in Chicago, IL who meet the experience requirements, the expected salary range is $150,000 – $185,000 annually upon commencement of employment. Starting salary will be determined on an individualized basis with consideration to prior experience and additional qualifications.
Benefits
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance
- Life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment policies
- Short- and long-term disability insurance
- Paid parental leave
- 401(k) and profit-sharing plans
- Parking/transportation stipend
- Section 125 plan (pre-tax premiums and medical reimbursement)
- Paid holidays and paid time off (PTO)
- Annual discretionary bonus
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Employee Wellness Program
- Tuition reimbursement and college savings plan deductions (529 Plans)
- Long-term care insurance