Professional Development Specialist

Washington, DC 

Summary

An international law firm with over 1,300 attorneys and 20 offices worldwide, seeks a bright, articulate, self-starting professional to join our Professional Development department. This role has the potential to be a manager level position depending on experience.

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage the office’s fall and lateral associate integration processes (e.g., arrival announcement emails, orientation schedules, buddy pairings and program reminders, first day lunch assignments).
• Oversee all Continuing Legal Education (CLE) activities in the D.C. office including in-house functions, firm webcasts, and third-party training opportunities. Maintain the firm’s state CLE accreditation and lawyers’ compliance with state requirements.
• Identify and execute training programs to address evolving associate needs and requests.
• Manage the office’s formal mentor program, including coordinating annual program launches, collaborating with local mentor chairs and Associates Committee, planning and coordinating periodic Mentor Program events, facilitating ongoing mentor group assignments, and creating resources to support mentor goals.
• Serve as the Professional Development point person for the D.C. office, including central responsibility for associate outreach/support and local Associates Committee event design.
• Maintain office department budget, invoice processing, and assist in accounting as needed.
• Work with Career Development & Alumni Manager to develop, implement and support initiatives, including associate career path support, global alumni outreach, and working with local business development committees to implement alumni programming.
• Conduct exit interviews with departing associate attorneys.
• Assist with curriculum design and general planning of the New Lawyer and Mid-Level Academies.
• Serve as the central point of departmental contact for the firm’s international offices, including to work closely with our Associates Committees and office leadership on programs to support and develop our associates outside of the United States.
• Collaborate with the department heads to implement long-term projects.

Qualifications

• Professional demeanor and excellent communication skills paired with a service-oriented attitude.
• Ability to interact effectively with attorneys and staff at all levels of the Firm.
• Integrity to handle sensitive and highly confidential information with utmost care.
• Strong organization skills with a focus on attention to detail, problem solving and the ability to multitask.
• Excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills. Must be able to tailor written work product to appropriate audience.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness, creativity, and self-directed behavior.
• Established project management skills, event planning, and program design experience. Demonstrated ability to make continued progress on long-term projects.

Experience

• Four-year college degree required. JD or MBA preferred.
• 3+ years’ experience as an associate or in a similar managerial role in a global law firm or professional services company preferred.
• Strong skills in MS Word and PowerPoint. Demonstrated proficiency in Excel.