Director of Professional Development and Resources

SmithValeriote Law Firm LLP; Guelph; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SmithValeriote Law Firm LLP is seeking a Director of Professional Development and Resources to oversee recruitment, training, and performance management for its Guelph and Elora offices. This role supports a collaborative work culture, offering competitive remuneration, mentoring, and professional development opportunities, within a hybrid work arrangement.

Benefits

Competitive Remuneration

Contributions to Group RSP

Continuing Legal Education Assistance

Professional Membership Assistance

Active Social Committee

Remote Work Options

Robust Mentorship Opportunities

Qualifications

• Lawyer with a minimum of 4-5 years of experience, preferably in private practice.
• Understanding of law firm structure and performance management.
• Interest in professional development of others.

Responsibilities

• Oversee recruitment of Summer and Articling Students.
• Facilitate the onboarding program for new hires.
• Design professional development curriculum.

Skills

Leadership

Recruitment

Professional Development

Organization

Time Management

Education

Law Degree

Tools

MS Office

Document Management Systems

Legal Practice Management Software

Job description

Director of Professional Development and Resources

SV Law LLP has an exciting opportunity for a Director of Professional Development and Resources to join our team on a contract to cover a parental leave. The role will support both our Guelph and Elora offices with a hybrid arrangement available.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer and the Managing Partner, the Director of Professional Development and Resources is responsible for overseeing: SV Law’s Summer Student, Articling Student, and Associate recruitment efforts; the professional development and performance management of our Summer Students, Articling Students, and Associates; and SV Law’s knowledge management efforts.

At SV Law, we are committed to the growth of our employees and practice. Our goal is to provide our team with a collaborative, supportive, and respectful work environment to grow your career. We recognize that our most important assets are our employees and offer:

• competitive remuneration
• contributions towards group RSP
• continuing legal education and tuition assistance
• promotional and professional membership assistance
• an active social committee
• remote work options
• a healthy balance between the workplace and your personal life
• robust mentorship and training opportunities

We have a strong commitment to our community, and we support and encourage employee community involvement through volunteering activities, fundraising events, and more.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Recruitment & Onboarding

• In concert with the Lawyer Human Resources Committee, responsible for facilitating the recruitment of Summer and Articling Students.
• In concert with Practice Group Chairs and the Executive Committee, responsible for facilitating the recruitment of lateral Associates.
• Leads the facilitation of the new hire onboarding (orientation) program including software and firm policy and procedures.
• Ensures all resources are available for successful onboarding.

Professional Development

• Provides support and additional mentorship to lawyers and law students.
• Oversees training and needs analysis for all new hires and current lawyers to ensure they fulfil their requirements for their continuing legal education hours.
• Responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of the firm’s professional development curriculum, which focuses on skills-based learning and integrated business development programming to share knowledge and support sustainable practice growth.
• Provides support to Associates in preparing annual business plans.
• Facilitates performance reviews for the Associates based on the firm’s Associate core competencies framework.

Knowledge Management

• Working with Practice Group Chairs and the Technology Committee to source and/or review potential new legal software.
• In concert with Practice Group Chairs, overseeing the collection and maintenance of annotated model precedents for the extensive precedents system used by professionals across the firm.

Practice Management Support

• Reviews dockets to ensure best practices are being followed.
• Ensures proper billing practices are being followed, and billing is done when appropriate.
• Reviews associate WIP and follows up where necessary.

General Firm Support

• Prepares and monitors annual training and development budget.
• Prepares quarterly progress reports to Partners.
• Completes special projects as required.
• Participates on various firm committees as necessary.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Lawyer with a minimum of 4-5 years of experience, preferably in private practice.
• In-depth understanding of law firm structure, performance management, legal practice management, CLE requirements, and recruitment.
• Interest in the professional development of others.
• Ability to engage different stakeholders, including Partners, on developing and executing plans.
• Highly organized and able to manage time effectively and efficiently.
• Professional and approaches the role with a high level of discretion, tact, and maturity.
• Proficiency with relevant technology tools (e.g. MS Office, document management systems, legal practice management software).

Interested candidates may apply in confidence by submitting a cover letter and résumé to: Gabrielle Walker, Director of Professional Development and Resources, [e-mail] .

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will receive a formal reply.

At SV Law, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment, where all employees and clients feel valued, respected, supported, and are free from violence and harassment. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our customers and community. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

SV Law is a growing and dynamic full-service regional law firm with offices located in the City of Guelph and the Town of Elora. We have a long and distinguished history of providing residents and businesses of Guelph, Centre Wellington, and surrounding areas with high-quality, personal, and professional legal services. We have expanded our reach and now proudly serve clients all over Southwestern Ontario.

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