Claire Cavanagh - Head of Talent Acquisition at Bird & Bird
We’re highlighting the power of resiliency – and flexibility – when Claire Cavanagh, Head of Talent Acquisition at Bird & Bird, unpacks her fascinating career trajectory on this episode of Leaders With Ambition.
She shares with Host Nicky Acuna Ocana the critical role that openness has played in driving her professional services career steadily upward, even amidst the zig-zag of life challenges such as divorce and a pandemic.
A big part of Claire’s ability to recruit top legal talent and promote retention through healthy workplace cultures lies in her lived experience and empathy. She has learned through a variety of roles and in differing work environments that the best leaders are generous with compliments and positive reinforcement.
“Our careers are not in vacuums. We are amongst colleagues all the time and need to feed off each other,” says our guest. “We should be encouraging each other to really be the best we can be.”
That ethos extends to Claire’s passion for sponsorship, enabling the long-term success of women and people of colour as they climb through executive ranks. A deeply felt commitment to growth and development, inclusion and equity, are at the heart of a robust network that Claire has cultivated since the outset of her career.
Even when confronted with life’s inevitable setbacks, this top legal recruitment expert has stayed true to a defining authenticity that has deepened her, both professionally and personally. You won’t want to miss words of wisdom from a woman who is all about thoughtful leadership – and paying it forward!
About the educational and cultural influences that shaped Claire’s early interest in pursuing law school – and starting a career that in reality didn’t resemble television’s “LA Law.”
A big decision
Why it was important (and opened up the horizon) for Claire to take a clear-eyed look at the profession she’d trained for and realise: Time to pivot.
Why it worked
How Claire’s legal training and understanding of law firm workplace culture set her up perfectly to transition into a successful long-term career in legal recruiting.
Making a shift
Why Claire felt after 17 years it was time to depart EJ Legal, where she’d served happily in a number of managerial roles, in order to explore a larger corporate environment.
Keeping on
How Claire managed through the shock of her then-husband leaving her (and their two children) on the literal eve of starting a new Partner hiring role at Eversheds Sutherland.
The gift of vulnerability
About the lessons Claire learned after confiding in new colleagues that she was navigating domestic turmoil – an invitation to authenticity and shared support.
From adversity
How Claire marshalled a whole new level of professionalism, focus and drive to succeed in her new role at Eversheds Sutherland. It was make or break – and empowering!
Into the unknown
What it felt like when overnight Covid shut down hiring/recruitment, introducing job insecurity, home-schooling and a totally new role in human resources.
Evolving understanding
About the passion ignited in Claire around issues of ED&I based on her first-hand experience helping women and people of colour to thrive in high-profile roles.
Sponsorship is key
What it has meant throughout Claire’s career (and to her sense of agency) to have benefited from the wisdom of supportive allies and champions.
Imposter Syndrome
How leaders can cultivate growth and confidence by incorporating positive reinforcement and emphasizing areas of strengths in their coaching.
Never too soon
Why building a long-term network from the outset of one’s career is critical – even in a hyper-competitive (and relatively small) field like legal recruitment.
Speaking truth
About authenticity as the cement that binds long-term professional alliances and enriches every aspect of our careers, especially when we need support.
Current challenges in talent acquisition
Keen competition within a limited talent pool; engaging diversity of thought and experience; improving talent retention; fostering healthy, positive workplace cultures; cultivating leadership whose corporate vision resonates and inspires.
Impacts of AI
How to harness the power of machine learning to improve HR processes while safeguarding DE&I initiatives from unintended consequences of evolving technology.
Words of Wisdom
Your career will have peaks and troughs – and that’s okay!; be brave and, when the time is right, push beyond your comfort zone; constantly challenge yourself and consider ‘What’s next?’; don’t be too hard on yourself; you’re better than you think; listen to others when they praise you; and pay others compliments, because it all comes back!
Key quotes:
“I couldn’t continue (as a lawyer trainee) because it just wasn’t where my heart and soul was.”
“It was a real breakthrough for me, showing vulnerability (on the job). It actually created some really long-lasting friendships … None of us is a robot. We’ve all got things going on in our lives.”
“(Being candid) makes it safe for other people to share their own personal traumas and situations.” (Nicky)
“It’s so important to be vulnerable, to be yourself, be authentic … When you’re having a bad day and things get to be a bit too much, you need to be able to share with somebody.”
“We all go through ups and downs in our careers. It’s so important that you surround yourself with positive people giving you affirmations and compliment … and challenging you to take the next step on the ladder.”
“Our careers are not in vacuums. We are amongst colleagues all the time and need to feed off each other. We should be encouraging each other to really be the best we can be.”
“Don’t get hung up on what you’re not so good at or somebody’s told you is a weakness. Take that constructive feedback, but also think about how you can do more of what you’re really good at.”
“People do want to connect with people. It’s our innate nature. But you don’t want to connect with someone if you don’t feel they’re being their authentic self.” (Nicky)
“Constantly challenge yourself. Think about what’s next for you. Don’t just be happy with your lot. Think: ‘Where else can I go? Where am I going to be in two years’ time?’”
About Claire Cavanagh
Claire is currently Head of Talent Acquisition at Bird & Bird. Previously she held multiple managerial roles at Eversheds Sutherland and EJ Legal.
A highly experienced and prominent legal recruiter and HR expert based in London, Claire has advised U.K. and international law firms on a variety of areas including recruitment of fee-earners, laterals, growth strategy, branding, advertising, market intel and salary benchmarking. She builds strong and lasting relationships with senior associates and partners, assisting them with long-term career development, advice on building and quantifying client following and new job opportunities.
About Nicky Acuna Ocana
Nicky has led high performing recruitment teams for over 25 years. As the Regional Managing Director of Ambition UK, Europe & US, she leads a team of highly-skilled recruitment consultants who specialise in Business Services functions within Professional Services and are experts in their niche specialist areas. With an extensive network of senior and board-level contacts, she is also heavily involved in Executive Search, focusing on Director level appointments across Business Services for a range of Professional Services firms.
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