ABOUT GOWLING WLG At Gowling WLG, our commitment to excellence begins with our people. As an international law firm with offices in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we’re proud to recruit and retain top talent who bring energy, insight, and a singular focus on delivering exceptional experiences – for our clients and each other.

We’re intentional about building a workplace that’s both high-performing and supportive, ensuring that everyone is empowered to do their best work and reach their full potential. Our culture is grounded in our shared values: Raise the Bar, Embrace Differences, and Thrive Together. These values shape how we collaborate, lead, and succeed – across teams, time zones, and career paths.

Whether you’re pursuing a role in law or business services, explore what’s possible and make your mark with Gowling WLG.

PROFILE The Toronto office of Gowling WLG (Canada) is currently seeking a Manager, Legal Talent, Student Programs to join our fast-paced Legal Talent team. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the Toronto’s Office Managing Partner and will report directly to the Directors of Legal Talent based in the Toronto office and will play a key role in directing the summer student and articling student programs for the Toronto office, as well as providing support in various other talent-related projects to ensure alignment with firm-wide Legal Talent objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES The incumbent’s responsibilities will include and are not limited to the following:

• Oversight and accountability for the entire life cycle of the law student experience for Summer and Articling Students, including recruitment, orientation, training, practice area rotations, engagement, performance management, evaluation and hire-back processes, etc.

• Lead the law student recruitment efforts for the office, including:

• building and growing our Gowling WLG brand with law schools by being the law school liaison and acting as the key firm representative for law students interested in joining our firm;

• being accountable for leading and executing smooth and effective recruitment processes, including preparing job postings, performing applicant screening, organizing and conducting on-campus and in-firm interviews, coordinating the activities of the student recruitment committees/teams, planning and executing recruitment events, etc.;

• providing guidance on recruitment best practices and providing periodic reporting to help inform recruitment strategies;

• overseeing the management of law school sponsorships, open houses, and career fairs.

• Implement and manage integration, engagement and career development initiatives by building relationships with students, initiating teambuilding and social events, monitoring workloads, overseeing the delivery of training programs, providing guidance and career coaching, delivering performance feedback, ensuring appropriate mentorship, etc. (working in collaboration with the Office Managing Partner, work providers, mentors, and others as needed).

• Provide input into and be accountable to student programs budgets.

• Liaise with the Law Society of Ontario as needed to ensure compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements relating to law students.

• Work closely with the Learning and Development team to deliver internal education programs to students.

• Work with our Director, Legal Talent, Program Alignment on implementing talent initiatives aligned to the Firm’s Legal Talent Plan.

• Working with our Equity, Respect and Belonging center of excellence.

• Any other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in law (an asset), Human Resources, or a related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in a law firm or consulting firm.
• Prior experience in, or a strong interest in developing a career in legal talent management, with demonstrated interest in supporting recruitment and professional development.
• Exceptional people management and leadership skills with an ability to motivate others, work collaboratively, coach, counsel, train, and develop students.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including a comfort with public speaking.
• Relationship building with all levels of stakeholders.
• Strong project management, time management, administrative and organizational skills, with an ability to prioritize, plan, and implement numerous projects, programs, and special events.
• Results orientated with a sense of ownership and accountability for projects and tasks.
• Strong work ethic, with the ability to take initiative.
• Ability to be diplomatic and maintain confidentiality when faced with sensitive enquiries.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy of work.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills with proven problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work independently in a high-volume and deadline-driven environment.
• Flexibility with the ability to quickly adapt to change.

Benefits/Perks Gowling WLG’s total rewards program is designed to foster a culture where high performance and personal well-being go hand-in-hand. We support your career and life with:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and mental health coverage, plus an annual lifestyle spending allowance
• Benefits coverage for Firm members and their dependents from day one!
• 15+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility
• Parental leave top-up for 26 weeks (after 12 months of full-time employment)
• Group Retirement Savings Plan with employer match
• Financial protection through short & long-term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program, guided CBT, and an internal network of 120+ trained Mental Health First Aid responders
• Recognition awards, appreciation events, and a supportive, collaborative work culture
• Perks and preferred pricing programs, referral bonuses and more

The starting range for this role is $125,000 to $150,000. Starting salary will be determined based on an applicant’s individual skills, competencies and unique qualifications. Gowling WLG employees have the potential to exceed this range based on tenure and performance.

This position is currently vacant and is open to both internal and external candidates. Gowling WLG is recruiting for this role to support ongoing firm needs and team operations.

Gowling WLG may use tools within our applicant tracking system that include artificial intelligence–supported features, such as automated candidate matching. These tools do not make hiring decisions; all screening, assessments, and selections are reviewed and completed by human recruiters and hiring managers.

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are in need of accommodation or support at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.