Director of Legal Recruiting

About the Company

Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a global law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies, and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the impeccable judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best‑in‑class client service.

Overview

This position will report to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the Chief Marketing & Talent Officer (CMTO). The Director of Legal Recruiting will be supporting firm wide recruitment efforts for the full cycle of hiring at the Firm, including summer associate hiring, lateral associate hiring, and lateral partner and counsel recruitment efforts.

This position can be based in Boston, MA or New York, NY.

Responsibilities will include working with the COO, CMTO, Summer Associate Hiring Partner, co-chairs of the Lateral Partner Hiring Committee, Practice Group Leaders, and Department Directors to develop strategic hiring goals and approaches.

Other responsibilities are as follows:

• Managing relationships with legal search firms, devising and implementing search and recruitment strategies, pre-screening candidate submissions, managing recruitment processes across all offices.
• Maintain communication with recruiters to ensure consistent message regarding the firm and its recruiting needs.
• Work to develop successful tactics for sourcing and contacting potential candidates independent of legal search firms, including utilizing the firm’s recruiting software programs.
• Work with the CMTO and the Firm's Marketing & Business Development team to conduct market research and obtain competitive intelligence in order to proactively build candidate pipeline in support of lateral hiring priorities and the Firm’s strategic growth plan and develop media profile-raising campaigns to attract prospects.
• Develop and maintain a sense of marketplace intelligence, e.g., hiring trends, the movement of key talent to competitors and report back to key stakeholders in the Firm.
• Work closely with CMTO, Lateral Partner Hiring Committee and Practice Group Leaders to develop and implement proactive search strategies to meet partner, counsel and associate recruiting needs across all offices, including sourcing of candidates. Update the Firm’s Lateral Partner Committee Co-Chairs as appropriate regarding search and candidate status, ensure maintenance and updating of lateral partner pipeline reports.
• In collaboration with the CMTO, guide firm leaders on recruitment best practices and strategies with respect to candidate and market conditions. Provide data driven analysis to help steer recruiting decisions.
• Develop and leverage relationships with law school career services' departments and serve as the Firm’s liaison leader for all processes related to law student on-campus interviews, callbacks, and offers, as well as identify areas for improvement.
• Work collaboratively with the CMTO, Talent Development and Marketing & Business Development teams on the design and production of the Firm's recruiting-related promotional materials, website, and social media platforms.
• In alignment with the Firm's strategic goals, objectives and initiatives, assist in maintaining a recruitment budget.
• With the Summer Associate Hiring Partner and CMTO, co-lead the Hiring Committee and oversee successful on-campus and in-office interviewing, and effective offer extension and follow up. Attend recruiting-related events at law schools, job fairs and law school affinity organizations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Chief Marketing & Talent Officer.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree, but JD strongly preferred;
• Minimum of 10 years of attorney recruiting experience, preferably in a law firm or professional services firm, or experience practicing law, preferably in a multi-office setting with strong involvement to firm recruiting function;
• Strong understanding of general legal recruiting processes and knowledge of mid-sized law firms and the legal industry as a whole;
• Proficiency in the use of computer programs including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), applicant tracking and reporting programs (e.g. viDesktop, LawCruit, FloRecruit, etc.) and legal recruitment intelligence software (e.g., Surepoint);
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to respond quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities;
• Possess practical, independent judgment and self-confidence; and
• Great attention to detail and ability to perform under demanding conditions in a thoughtful and professional manner.

Other:

• Engagement with legal recruitment organizations such as NALP and other legal recruitment organizations is preferred;
• Ability to travel to the Firm’s U.S. offices in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.
• Salary range: $175,000 to $275,000 plus bonus eligibility. Salary is commensurate with experience.