Professional Development Manager

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in New York, the Professional Development Manager will focus on associate development efforts, including integration, coaching, mentor programs, and training. This individual will possess exceptional communication skills, strong judgment and diplomacy, and great initiative, along with experience as an attorney at an elite law firm. 

This role reports to the Director of Professional Development – New York. 

Responsibilities include:

• Coaching: Provide confidential, individualized professional development coaching to associates, to help with goal setting, professional challenges, and general brainstorming. Lead group coaching meetings with new associates. 
• New & Lateral Associate Integration: Play a key role in fall and lateral associate on-boarding and integration processes (e.g., orientation planning and presentation, mentor assignments). Support new associates with their integration, including through new joiner check-in calls, new associate pods, and mentor pairing.     
• Mentoring: Provide guidance and support to the New York mentor program, including planning and coordinating periodic Mentor Program events; reviewing ongoing mentor group assignments; and creating resources to support mentor goals.
• Associate Support: Conduct monthly associate check-in calls, assist expecting and new parents with on-ramping, off-ramping, and adjusting to parenthood through the Gibson Dunn Families Program, provide support to attorneys on flex-time schedules, and conduct informal check-ins with other associates.
• Local Office Support: Collaborate with the New York Associates Committee, Partners-in-Charge, and other attorneys and staff with respect to office programming, town halls, event design, coordination, and in-person support.
• Themes/Trends Analysis: Conduct exit interviews with departing associate attorneys. Analyze and report on associate trends arising from exit interviews, Associates Committee meetings, associate check-ins, and industry research.
• Academies: Assist with curriculum design and general planning of the New Lawyer and Mid-Level Academies.
• Special Projects: With direction from department leaders, plan and implement long-term and/or special projects, or revise and update existing Professional Development programs.

Qualifications:

• Professional demeanor and excellent communication skills paired with a service-oriented attitude.
• Strong organizational 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.
• Ability to interact effectively with colleagues at all levels of the Firm, including taking the initiative to meet and maintain positive relationships with attorneys and staff.
• Integrity to handle sensitive and highly confidential information with utmost care.
• Ability to identify potential legal issues and concerns and message appropriately to Firm management as necessary or required.
• Comfort with public speaking.
• Willingness to travel, as some travel will be required.

Experience:

• JD required.
• 5+ years’ experience as an associate in a global law firm preferred, with a proven track record of involvement in recruiting, mentoring, training and associate programs.
• Formal training as a coach is a plus, but not required.
• Strong skills in MS Word and PowerPoint. Demonstrated proficiency in Excel.  

Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law.

Compensation & Benefits:

The annual compensation range for this position is $190-200k. The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.

Benefits offered for this position include health care; retirement benefits; paid days off, including sick time, and vacation time; parental leave; basic life insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; as well as discretionary, performance-based bonuses.