Role summary/purpose of job

The lateral recruiting team is responsible for attracting and hiring top-tier lateral talent across the firm. We are seeking a Senior Coordinator or Assistant Manager to support the full-cycle recruitment of associates, counsel, and partners across our U.S. offices.

Aligned to a core practice area, this role offers the opportunity to build deep relationships with partners and stakeholders while helping drive a more connected, strategic approach to lateral hiring. The Senior Coordinator or Assistant Manager will work closely with the Senior Manager and Head of U.S. Recruiting, while partnering with junior team members to deliver a seamless, high-quality recruiting experience.

This is a highly visible, hands-on role for a proactive recruiting professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to take ownership, contribute to process improvements, and help shape the next phase of the team’s evolution.

Key responsibilities and deliverables

Lateral Recruiting (Partner, Counsel & Associate)

• Support the full lifecycle of lateral recruiting across all levels, from sourcing through offer and onboarding
• Serve as a primary point of contact for candidates, search firms, practice group leaders, and internal stakeholders
• Manage active candidate pipelines, ensuring timely communication, strong organization, and a consistent candidate experience
• Lead interview logistics end-to-end, including scheduling, coordination, feedback collection, and follow-up
• Review resumes, maintain accurate candidate data, and monitor pipeline activity and market trends
• Partner with senior leadership to support proactive sourcing strategies and targeted hiring efforts
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external recruiters and internal business partners
• Provide guidance and day-to-day oversight to Recruiting Assistants and Coordinators

Project Management & Operations

• Take ownership of practice area hiring initiatives and lateral recruiting projects
• Contribute to reporting, data analysis, and continuous improvement of recruiting processes
• Prepare updates and materials for leadership, including hiring activity and market insights
• Maintain recruiting systems and ensure data integrity across platforms
• Collaborate with global recruiting colleagues on cross-office initiatives

Candidate Experience & Team Collaboration

• Deliver a high-touch, professional experience for candidates at every stage
• Support onboarding and integration of lateral hires in partnership with the broader People team
• Foster consistency in communication, processes, and documentation across the recruiting team
• Act as a role model for professionalism, sound judgment, and strong client service

Key requirements (Communication/skills/experience)

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3+ years of attorney recruiting experience, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage full-cycle recruiting processes with increasing independence
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a polished and client-focused approach
• High level of discretion and commitment to confidentiality
• Proactive, resourceful, and able to operate independently while knowing when to escalate
• Strong attention to detail with flexibility to adapt in a dynamic environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); ATS experience preferred
• Knowledge of background check processes a plus
• Willingness to work outside standard hours as needed
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days per week in the New York office, with flexibility to work additional days in the office if needed)

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in New York and California, Freshfields is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the States of New York and California and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $120,000 to $145,000.