Professional Development Manager

New York, NY 

Summary

A premier, global, law firm with over 1,400 attorneys and 20 offices worldwide, seeks a bright, articulate, self-starting professional to join our Professional Development department.

Responsibilities

• Manage the office’s fall and lateral associate integration processes (e.g., orientation schedules and programming, mentor pairings, first day lunch assignments, associate check-ins).
• Manage the office’s formal mentor programs, including coordinating annual program launches, collaborating with local mentor chairs, practice leads 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 New York office, including central responsibility for local Associates Committee member and general associate outreach/support; local Associates Committee event design; local Partner-in-Charge, WorkLink partner, Professional Development Committee, and other partner coordination and support; and collaboration with local attorneys and staff on office programming.
• Provide individualized professional development coaching to New York associates.
• Conduct check-in meetings as part of Firm’s Families and Flex-Time Circle programs.
• Support the global Flex-Time Circle program, including planning biennial videoconferences.
• Identify training programs to address evolving associate needs and requests, and work with partners and/or outside consultants to develop appropriate content.  Work closely with the Professional Development Assistant and New York partners in the orchestration and refinement of annual programs, including general and local departmental training for new associates.
• Conduct exit interviews with departing associate attorneys and analyze feedback.
• Assist with curriculum design and general planning of the New Lawyer and Mid-Level Academies.
• Collaborate with the department head and other department members to implement long-term and/or special projects both within New York and on a global basis.
• Provide management, coaching and career development guidance to the Professional Development Assistant.

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, including taking the initiative to meet and maintain outreach efforts with the New York office’s attorneys and staff.
• Integrity to handle sensitive and highly confidential information with utmost care.
• Comfort with public speaking.
• 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 the appropriate audience.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness, creativity and self-directed behavior.
• Established project management skills and program design experience.  Demonstrated ability to make continued progress on long-term projects.

Experience

• Four-year college degree required.  JD or MBA strongly preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience as an associate and/or in a professional development role in a global law firm or professional services company preferred.
• Formal training as a coach preferred.
• Strong skills in MS Word and PowerPoint.  Demonstrated proficiency in Excel.