Manager, Legal Talent, Student Programs

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.

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.

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 sponsor ships, 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.

• 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…