People & Culture Specialist

DescriptionAbout AshurstAshurst is a leading global law firm with a history spanning over 200 years, and a clear strategy for our future growth. Our in-depth understanding of our clients and commitment to providing exceptional standards of service have seen us become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions, and governments in all areas of commercial law. To find out more, please visit here .We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment that values all backgrounds and perspectives—this is the cornerstone of our values and the foundation of our continued success. To find out more about our Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging strategy, please visit here .People & Culture Specialist - Milan OfficeRole Overview:We are seeking a dynamic and motivated People & Culture Specialist to join our Milan office. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with 4-5 years of HR experience in a law firm or professional services company who wants to expand their P&C profile and is eager to develop their expertise within a vibrant, international environment. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the People & Culture function within the office, supporting our People & Culture Senior Manager and integrating in a European team, while delivering high-quality HR services to our team in Italy.Key Responsibilities: Early Careers Program Management: Take ownership of our graduate and intern programs from start to finish. You will represent Ashurst at university on campus events, manage job postings on our careers website, source and recruit top talent, conduct interviews, coordinate all stages of the selection process, extend offers, and liaise with universities regarding internship agreements. General Recruitment of experienced lawyers and Business Support Staff: Assist the current Operations and Recruitment Manager to attract and select experienced lawyers and business support staff. You will publish vacancies, source and screen candidates, and provide hands-on support throughout the recruitment process. Employer Branding: Enhance Ashurst's employer brand by creating memorable candidate experiences and showcasing our opportunities across our careers site and social media platforms. Onboarding of New Joiners: Deliver a seamless onboarding experience for new joiners at all levels, acting as their main point of contact for initial queries and supporting their career development from day one. HR Administration: Prepare legal documentation related to employment, contracts, onboarding, offboarding and all employee life cycle documentation and follow all the internal procedures. Maintain accurate records in our Human Resources Information System (HRIS) and produce internal reports as required. Payroll and Benefits: Participate in the payroll administration and in the implementation and execution of the office benefits plan. Training Plan Management: Support the implementation of the local training plan and act as the main point of contact for global training initiatives, ensuring Milan staff benefit from the firm's comprehensive learning and development offerings. Talent Development: Support the talent development initiatives and programmes, especially for the Legal Teams, enabling our people to develop their full potential. Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Drive the implementation and monitoring of our local strategy in these critical areas, helping to ensure an inclusive and supportive workplace for all. Secondment Support: Coordinate the integration and ongoing support of trainees and seconded staff within the Milan office inbound and outbound, ensuring a smooth transition and a positive experience. Project Participation: Participate in the design and implementation of People & Culture processes, policies and ad hoc projects at both local and international level.About you: Education: Degree in Human Resources, Law, Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field. Postgraduate training in Human Resources is a plus. Experience: 4-5 years of experience in a similar role with a background on early careers recruitment, ideally within professional services or legal environments. Knowledge: knowledge of the Italian market and competitors. Languages: Exceptional oral and written communication skills in both Italian and English (C2 level). Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office. Experience with social media (especially LinkedIn), HRIS, and ATS platforms. Personal Attributes:Outstanding communication and interpersonal skillsBusiness acumen and problem solving skillsStrong organizational and time management abilitiesProactive, detail-oriented, and rigorousAble to work independently and collaborativelyHigh level of discretion and professionalismWhat We OfferA dynamic position within a collaborative, international work environment, with opportunities to participate in both local and global projectsA positive and supportive working atmosphereFull-time, permanent contract with immediate startCompetitive remuneration based on profileIf you are passionate about teamwork, eager to learn, and ready to be part of a great team in an international setting, we encourage you to apply and take the next step in your career with Ashurst.