Talent Adviser, People & Culture

The Talent Adviser will be responsible for implementing our talent acquisition strategy, focusing on attracting and recruiting high calibre legal and business services professionals, and delivering a standout candidate experience via robust onboarding and orientation programs. This role is also pivotal in engaging top-tier early careers talent and ensuring a smooth integration into our dynamic firm. Working under the direction of the People & Culture (P&C) Director and Manager, you will be responsible for coordinating operational and administrative aspects of the employee lifecycle, while also contributing to our broader people programs.

Key responsibilities will include:

Recruitment, early careers and candidate experience

• Coordinate the full-cycle recruitment processes for both legal and business service professionals, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, and hiring.
• Partner with the P&C team and workgroup leaders / managers to align recruitment activities with the firm's strategic objectives and workforce planning needs.
• Drive early career recruitment initiatives, and act as an ambassador for the firm by engaging with universities, law schools, and educational institutions to attract top-class graduates and interns.
• Play an integral role in the coordination of all aspects of the law clerk recruitment program and close collaboration and alignment with the program operations leader.
• Champion a positive candidate experience by crafting engaging job descriptions, managing responsive communications, and facilitating a respectful and informative interview process.
• Develop and maintain a rich candidate pipeline for current and future talent requirements through networking events, social media, and professional affiliations.
• Liaise with external recruitment agencies and oversee preferred supplier agreements (PSAs).
• Advocate for the highest levels of candidate experience, ensuring timely communication, respectful interactions, and insightful feedback throughout the hiring process.
• Coordinate and execute structured onboarding programs that familiarise new joiners with our firm's values, practices, and expectations, ensuring a seamless transition into their roles.
• Collaborate with other business services departments (i.e. IT, Finance, Knowledge, Business Development and Marketing) and workgroup leaders / managers to plan and implement comprehensive orientation sessions that provide new employees with the tools, knowledge, and connections to excel from day one.
• Collaborate with the P&C team to continuously refine and improve the recruitment, onboarding, and orientation processes.
• Provide inputs for employer branding initiatives and actively promote the firm’s presence in the marketplace as an employer of choice.
• Keep abreast of legal industry trends, market intelligence, and changes in recruitment legislation.
• Offer career coaching and guidance where appropriate, serving as a trusted advisor for candidates and new hires.
• Monitor and provide feedback on the effectiveness of recruitment methods, systems (e.g. Big Red Sky, LinkedIn, Seek) and onboarding initiatives to drive continuous improvement.
• Promote diversity and inclusion within recruitment practices and early career development programs.

Administration and operations

• Administer the preparation of employment agreements via Revolve and ensure they align with company policies and legal requirements.
• Conduct thorough pre-employment checks for potential employees, including psychometric testing and reference checks.
• Coordinate and track the completion of probationary review periods and update employment statuses upon successful completions.
• Coordinate internal transfers and promotions, and ensure the relevant systems, documentation and departments are updated.
• Coordinate exit formalities for departing employee and ensure exit interviews are scheduled.
• Update and maintain accurate employee records in the HR information systems and ensure all documentation complies with data protection laws.
• Assist with the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures.
• Support the P&C team with the annual review and salary review process administration and ensure systems are updated.
• Provide support as requested on a variety of P&C programs, initiatives and events (i.e. learning and development, inclusion, diversity and equity (IDE) initiatives and benefit offerings such as the annual flu vaccines).
• Prepare P&C-related reports as necessary.
• Help facilitate P&C projects and activities related to compliance, risk management, and other areas as needed.
• Provide support to the P&C team and assist with the resolution of general team queries as a point of contact (i.e. respond P&C email and ‘walk-ins’).

Essential Experience

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources or a similar field.
• 3 to 4 years’ experience in a fast-paced professional services environment.
• Ability to develop and foster excellent professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• A team player mindset, and desire to work collaboratively with the team.
• High level of attention to detail and an ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.
• Exceptional organisational skills, with the capacity to prioritise and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a client service mindset.
• Experience with HR and recruitment software and systems.
• Proactive problem-solving abilities and a willingness to take initiative.
• Commitment to promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity within the workplace.

Benefits

• Award winning ‘best employer’ and inclusive culture including peer-led communities (i.e. Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE), Wellbeing and Social committees).
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Flexible and hybrid work arrangements.
• Corporate medical insurance plans and salary continuance insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Wellness facilities and onsite classes (i.e. yoga and mindfulness).
• Enhanced parental leave program and childcare facilities in building.
• Other benefits: purchased leave program (pre-tax), novated leasing, national seniors membership.

About Cooper Grace Ward

Cooper Grace Ward is a leading independent law firm based in Brisbane. We are a full-service law firm providing a range of legal services to clients nationally and internationally. We are a vibrant, energetic, growing and diverse team committed to supporting and developing our people to meet the changing needs of our clients. We take personal responsibility and pride in our work and have fun while we do it. We strive to be leaders in everything we do, and our impressive achievements can be viewed on our website.

Our workplace policies and strong values foster a safe and inclusive work environment. Cooper Grace Wards hires a diverse workforce, including people of all genders, ages, cultures, ethnicities, those who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQ+ and people with disabilities.

If this sounds like a team you would like to be a part of and you value mutual respect, excellence and curiosity, we encourage you to apply.

Position reference #10290805