Professional Development Manager

Katten is a firm of first choice for clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services in the United States and abroad. Our nationally recognized practices include corporate, financial services, litigation, real estate, environmental, commercial finance, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, and trusts and estates. Our more than 650 attorneys serve public and private companies, including a third of the Fortune 100, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. We provide full-service legal advice from locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai.

Professional Development Manager

The Professional Development Manager (“PDM”) is responsible for lawyer development in certain Departments / Practice Groups. The PDM oversees a broad range of professional development initiatives; engages Department Heads and Practice Group Leaders in developing lawyers to their highest potential; supports a robust performance review process; and designs and implements substantive and skills-based curricula and milestone events. The PDM also collaborates with the Talent, Practice Management, Marketing & Business Development and other administrative teams to develop effective programs, processes and initiatives that positively contribute to lawyer recruitment, development, retention and progression.

The Professional Development Manager can be located in either the Chicago, New York or Washington, D.C. office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following. Other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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• Training / Development Initiatives: Serves as a consultant, forming collaborative relationships with various Firm leaders and professionals to analyze performance gaps, identify needs (business, performance, training, well-being and work environment needs), and present recommendations of solutions based on findings to internal clients. Contributes to the planning, design and implementation of substantive and professional skills training programs (PG-specific training, workshops, boot camps, etc.) in alignment with the firm's Associate Competency Framework and to meet the objectives of the Department / Practice Group.
• Milestone Events / Department Training Events: Designs and implements Firmwide orientations and retreats, including New Associate Orientation, New Income Partner Orientation, Senior and Mid-level Associate Academies, Practice Group Boot Camps, Summer Associate Retreat and other large group training events.
• Performance Reviews / Management: Provides strategic and administrative support throughout the firm’s review processes. Understands tools, process and strategy to ensure proper execution of such processes. Monitors the attorney evaluations, assists with review messages, facilitates the delivery of formal reviews, and advises partners on specific and/or sensitive performance related situations and coaches attorneys on how to implement feedback received.
• Integration / Onboarding: Partners with key internal departments to facilitate successful non-partner attorney on-boarding and integration, including conducting department orientation for new hires and building robust onboarding schedules.
• Career Coaching / Advising: Provides individually tailored guidance in development of both near and longer-term career goals, and then provides advice and feedback on plan to achieve those goals. Coaches attorneys through the process of identifying a range of possible career options, taking into account attorney's professional and personal background, needs, goals and preferences. Annually conducts stay interviews with all associates.
• Mentoring: Assists with the design and implementation of mentoring activities / programs for new attorneys and lateral hires, and solicits feedback from both advisors and advisees to ensure that the program is meeting its goal of enhancing attorneys’ professional development. Works to make recommendations for continuous enhancement and improvement of mentoring.
• Employee Relations: Proactively consults with the Human Resources team on employee relations matters for thoughtful and efficient resolution and to prevent risk.
• Departing Associates / Terminations: Conducts exit interviews of lawyers who voluntarily leave the firm. Coaches departing attorneys on career transitions. Coordinates outplacement services for all terminated lawyers.
• Reporting / Analytics: Produces reporting and analytics to inform Department Heads, Practice Group Leaders and other firm leaders on trends related to attorney demographics, hiring and retention statistics and performance ratings.
• PD Intelligence: Keeps abreast of trends in professional development for attorneys, and evaluates seminar content and presenter effectiveness to ensure efficient delivery of content and attorney interest on topic.

*Supervisory Responsibilities
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• Directly supervises professional development staff (specialist/coordinator/assistant) and is responsible for their overall direction, coordination and evaluation. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Firm’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and training; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; making recommendations for hiring, promotion, compensation, and termination.
• Management style must be proactive, problem solving, resolving inefficiencies and actively promoting a team-work environment among all areas of attorney development.

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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• The ideal candidate will have a JD and 3+ years of experience practicing at a peer law firm; 3+ years’ experience in professional development/talent management or practice support; and career coaching experience/certification. Candidates without a J.D. will also be considered if they have an undergraduate degree and at least 5+ years’ experience in a similar management role at a professional services firm. Successful candidates will have the ability to establish rapport and build relationships and credibility with internal stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of CLE rules and requirements and best practices regarding CLE processes and procedures. Familiarity with California, Illinois, New York, North Carolina and Texas, CLE requirements preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Windows-based systems, particularly the Microsoft Office 2010 suite. Familiarity with viDesktop, CE Manager, and Sharepoint highly desirable. Familiarity with document management systems and other legal applications highly desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Written work product is appropriate to the audience and written in a clear and concise manner that effectively gets the message across. Ability to communicate with courtesy, diplomacy and discretion, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, firm management, clients, staff and outside contacts, including speaking before groups of individuals.
• Excellent organizational, planning and project management skills including accuracy, record keeping, data collection and system information. Ability to compile and analyze data and furnish concise, detailed information in report format, written correspondence, e- mail or verbally.
• Highly motivated, strategic focus: ability to understand and support Firm goals, services, culture and strategy in order to present self and the Firm in a positive, professional manner. Commitment to staying informed of industry standards and best practices through professional development, to including professional reading, membership in industry groups and organizations, and participation in seminars and conferences.
• Exhibits high degree of initiative in managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, high-stressed, detail-oriented work environment. Ability to work with frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workflow.
• Dependable team player with high energy, creativity and vision who works collaboratively and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented environment. Ability to act independently within scope of the position’s responsibilities as a decision-maker and contributor on all levels.
• Encourages an atmosphere in which everyone exchanges ideas, is open to new ideas and processes, and is respected for their contributions by being helpful, approachable, and team oriented.
• Excellent analytical and technical skills requiring an aptitude for detail, precision and logic. Proactive with excellent troubleshooting, problem resolution, and follow-through skills. Possess the ability to identify and propose resolutions to problems in a timely manner through use of resources, including asking questions, gathering facts and reviewing records.
• Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation, or office supplies weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Must be flexible to work overtime, travel on occasion, accept tasks outside of normal job duties, and be open to assume new responsibilities if the needs of the department changes.

We offer an outstanding benefit package which includes: medical/dental/vision, 401k with employer contribution; transportation fringe benefit program; back-up care option; generous paid time off policy; and long-term and short-term disability policies.

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer/AA-M/F/SO/Disability/Veteran.

Job Type: Full-time