Professional Talent Specialist

Join a team dedicated to delivering outstanding client service.

Cox & Palmer is a full-service, top-ranked Atlantic Canadian law firm with the knowledge and experience clients rely upon for solid legal solutions. The firm prides itself on a collegial work atmosphere and supportive team environment.

We hire self-motivated, team-minded individuals with a strong work ethic, integrity and a commitment to client service.

Role Description

Reporting directly to the Director of Professional Talent (DPT), with an indirect reporting line to the Professional Personnel Partner and the Talent Committee Chair, The Professional Talent Specialist is responsible for planning and delivering recruitment, onboarding, training, engagement, and professional development programs for students and clerks, ensuring they have a rewarding and productive experience with the firm. Serving as the first point of contact for current and prospective summer and articling students, the Professional Talent Specialist provides guidance and support throughout their journey. In addition, this role supports the Talent Committee and the Director of Professional Talent to coordinate all initiatives related to lawyer attraction, retention, and development.

• Coordinates and advises on all aspects of student, clerk, and associate recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and engagement initiatives. Some travel and occasional evening or weekend work is required.
• Manages recruitment processes and systems, including job postings, applicant tracking, candidate communications, interview scheduling, and recruitment reporting.
• Leads the planning and execution of law school recruitment activities, including firm tours, on-campus interviews, in-firm interviews, networking events, and candidate outreach initiatives.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with law school career services offices, student organizations, and other key recruitment partners to support the firm's attraction strategy.
• Coordinates all aspects of the student and clerk recruitment cycle, including application screening, interview logistics, candidate communications, offer preparation, and onboarding activities.
• Supports the development, coordination, and delivery of training, orientation, professional development, and engagement programs for students, clerks, associates, and lawyers.
• Assists with tracking and administration of the Professional Development budget, including registrations, payments, and expense monitoring.
• Prepares materials, attends meetings, and provides administrative support for the Talent Committee and other professional talent initiatives.
• Coordinates the firm's mentoring and championing programs for students, clerks, and associates, including participant matching, program administration, and ongoing support.
• Supports the onboarding, integration, and development of new lawyers by coordinating onboarding schedules, orientation sessions, and key meetings with firm leaders and stakeholders.
• Assists with employment branding initiatives, including social media content, recruitment marketing materials, law school outreach, welcome packages, promotional items, and event communications.
• Coordinates associate, clerk, and student workflow processes, including availability reporting, schedule management, and related communications.
• Maintains talent-related databases, memberships, records, and reporting tools, including recruitment metrics, key performance indicators, and professional development tracking.
• Ensures compliance with Nova Scotia Barristers' Society requirements and maintains accurate documentation and records related to students, clerks, and lawyer development programs.
• Supports special projects and continuous improvement initiatives related to talent attraction, development, engagement, and retention.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in business, human resources, communications, or related education is required.
• Experience working in a professional services environment, preferably law, would be an asset.
• Experience leading recruitment, training, and development would be considered an asset. Communications and/or events management experience would also be considered an asset.
• Proficient with MS Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Highly organized with the ability to keep on top of multiple deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, including comfort with public speaking.
• The ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Professionalism and discretion when handling highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to develop lasting and productive relationships, using tact and diplomacy, with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to participate in pre-planned, after-hours travel/events for recruitment and engagement required.

Cox & Palmer provides a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• A generous paid vacation allowance;
• Three flex days per year;
• Paid sick days;
• Firm paid Health, Dental, and Life Insurance plans;
• Group Pension Plan with employer matching contributions;
• Employee and Family Assistance Program;
• An annual Health and Fitness Allowance.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
We understand the value that an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace brings to our people, our clients, and the communities we serve.

We welcome and encourage applications from persons who identify as women, visible minorities, Indigenous, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community/people with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.

Applicants from these equity-priority groups may self-identify in their application.

In the course of the hiring process, candidates are entitled to seek necessary accommodations. We urge candidates who are invited for an interview and need specific accommodations to engage in a conversation with our recruitment team to explore how we can best support them during this process.