Associate Development Manager

Cooley LLP; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced family leave

Health and dental insurance

Group income protection

Life assurance

Pension

Fertility benefits

Wellness programs

Employee discounts including a fitness

Job summary

Cooley (UK) LLP is seeking an Associate Development Manager to join the Professional Development team in London. The role supports associate staffing, utilisation and development within the Litigation department and works closely with practice group leadership and the Legal Talent team.

You will manage staffing, track metrics, assist with performance reviews and help coordinate onboarding, mentoring and training initiatives to foster an inclusive, high‑performing culture.

Qualifications

• Direct experience with staffing and work allocation in a large law firm or professional services.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and iManage systems.

Responsibilities

• Support staffing, utilization and development within the Litigation department.
• Coordinate with practice group leaders to identify staffing needs and targets.
• Monitor workloads and associate development; ensure equitable distribution of work.
• Assist with associate performance reviews and feedback delivery.
• Collaborate with Legal Talent and HR on onboarding and integration of associates.

Skills

Staffing & work allocation

Talent management

Career coaching

Professional development

Microsoft Office suite

iManage

Tools

Microsoft Office

iManage

Job description

Associate Development Manager

Cooley (UK) LLP is recruiting an Associate Development Manager to join the Professional Development team.

Position Summary

Working closely with practice group leadership and team members in both Professional Development and Legal Talent, the Associate Development Manager is primarily responsible for supporting associate staffing, utilisation, integration and development within the Litigation department. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position Responsibilities:

• Work with practice group leaders and partners in charge of staffing to manage the work allocation process for associates in the group.
• Monitor workloads and professional development of associates and help allocate new matters in a manner which ensures an equitable distribution of assignments consistent with the clients’ needs and the attorneys’ individual professional development goals.
• Track, aggregate and analyse associate metrics, including availability information and utilisation rates. Partner with practice group leaders and associates to ensure that individual goals relating to productivity are achieved and practice group productivity is maintained.
• Coordinate with practice group leaders and other supervising partners to identify staffing needs and hiring targets; partner with the Legal Talent team to ensure hiring efforts are supporting the goals and needs of the group.
• Support the associate performance review process by working with practice group leaders and Associate Review Committee members to ensure quality reviews are delivered in a timely fashion.
• Help monitor associate evaluations, prepare review delivery scripts and facilitate the delivery of formal reviews. Work with associates to implement feedback received, collaborating with Professional Development team members to provide coaching, where necessary.
• Meet regularly with practice group leaders to identify high performing associates and associates who may be having specific challenges so that appropriate mentoring, training and other actions can be taken to address specific circumstances in a timely manner. Facilitate frequent feedback between partners and associates.
• Partner with Legal Talent and other internal business professional departments to facilitate successful attorney on-boarding and integration, including conducting department orientation for new hires and building robust onboarding schedules. Help conduct exit interviews such that the firm can leverage departing associate feedback to improve the associate experience.
• Collaborate with Professional Development and Legal Education team members to develop, enhance and implement legal and professional skills training programs and initiatives to support associate development.
• Collaborate with the firm’s Attorney Licensing and Compliance team members to ensure associates obtain and maintain their licensure requirements and engage in continuing legal education aligned with development goals.
• Collaborate with the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team to champion and implement initiatives and events.Promote best practices in commitment to an inclusive culture and serve as a resource for diverse attorneys.
• Collaborate with HR/Wellness teams to promote the wellness of associates.
• All other duties as assigned or required.

Skills & Experience:

Required:

• After orientation at Cooley (UK) LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• Previous direct experience with staffing and work allocation in a large law firm or professional services organisation, or combined law firm professional development and prior law practice experience, preferably in a large law firm environment.

Preferred:

• Substantial experience in work allocation, talent management, career coaching, professional development, and/or personnel management.

Competencies:

• Ability to establish rapport and build relationships and credibility with internal stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral (both listening and talking) and written communication skills.
• Ability to respect and maintain highly sensitive or confidential information.
• Excellent people management skills, to include serving as a mentor or coach.
• Professional demeanor and the ability to use initiative, diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to make independent judgements/decisions based up on a set of principles rather than rules.
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with multiple constituencies
• Detail-oriented, organised and driven, with the desire to take ownership of projects and responsibilities, but to also work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to prioritise multiple tasks quickly and efficiently.

Cooley offers an excellent benefits package and competitive compensation including:

• Enhanced family leave
• Health and dental insurance
• Group income protection
• Life assurance
• Pension
• Fertility benefits
• Wellness programs
• Employee discounts including a fitness and nutrition allowance
• And more!

A comprehensive benefits brochure will be provided to all candidates during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

We strive to create an inclusive and rewarding environment that allows our people to thrive both professionally and personally. The Firm does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, promotion, termination, and access to benefits and training.

General Sign-Off:

Specific duties for this position will be assigned; the requirements may vary from time to time, depending on the needs of the Firm.