Professional Development Coordinator

New York, NY

Summary

The Professional Development Coordinator will leverage his or her writing and analytical skills to support the Firm’s associate professional development efforts. The coordinator will work closely with New York lawyers at all levels of seniority and the full professional development team to facilitate a robust annual associate review process, and to carry out a number of new and ongoing associate development efforts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual associate review process for associates in New York office: Solicit feedback from senior lawyers, including via in-person discussion sessions.
• Draft associate review documents based upon feedback received as well as the coordinator’s own assessment of the associate’s performance.
• Prepare, update and analyze charts on status of annual associate reviews.
• Use own discretion to determine whether certain associates would benefit from a mid-year review (and implement such a review) as needed.
• Develop and implement professional development initiatives: Exercise independent discretion to develop and implement professional development plans for individual associate attorneys.
• Use independent judgment to identify associate attorneys who would benefit from individualized “soft skills” training.
• Create monthly staffing reports to determine associates’ individual workflow capacities, and flag potential staffing issues or opportunities.
• Facilitate quarterly professional development meetings with senior lawyers. Develop consensus around takeaways and follow up on issues raised.
• Partner with attorneys in assigned practice groups to develop tailored practice group mentoring, training and development initiatives.
• In connection with new associate mentor program: Select Mentoring Committee members
• Organize and facilitate quarterly mentor debriefings to discuss mentor relationships and to craft any potential changes to development plans as a result.
• Develop relationships with associates in order to serve as a resource for questions regarding their individual professional development.
• Maintain internal associate records.
• General assistance on ad-hoc projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 2+ years of Professional Development or HR-related experience in a fast-paced environment. Law firm experience preferred.
• Must be comfortable working with lawyers at all seniority levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel required. Experience with viDesktop preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and client service skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good judgment; excellent organization skills and strong attention to detail.
• Flexibility to work longer hours during busier periods.
• Ability to work well independently as well as within a team.
• Candidate must be someone who is proactive, plans ahead, pushes projects forward and meets deadlines.