Partner Development and Performance Lead Fixed Term Contract

CMS CMNO LLP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible, hybrid working policy

Generous bonus scheme

Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28)

Job summary

CMS CMNO LLP is seeking a Partner Development & Performance Lead on a fixed-term basis. You will work directly with the Chief People Officer to shape partner performance, leadership development, and succession planning across the partnership.

You will translate strategic priorities into practical frameworks and programmes, deliver insights to senior leaders, and build credible development pathways that support partners at every career stage.

Qualifications

• Designing and delivering partner performance initiatives within a professional services environment.
• Translate strategy into practical, sustainable solutions.
• Confidently influence senior stakeholders at executive level.
• Strong analytical skills using data to shape decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building.

Responsibilities

• Design and embed partner performance frameworks and insights across practice groups.
• Lead leadership development for partners and senior leaders, including pathways for future leaders.
• Drive talent and succession discussions and construct development frameworks.
• Enhance the partner lifecycle with onboarding, integration, and ongoing development initiatives.
• Monitor programme effectiveness and drive continuous improvement through data-driven insights.
• Lead strategic projects that support delivery of the People Strategy.

Skills

Partner performance

Leadership development

Talent & succession

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Executive influence

Tools

Professional services knowledge

Job description

Partner Development & Performance Lead (Fixed-Term Contract) This is a newly created role with direct access to the Chief People Officer and the opportunity to shape an important area of the firm's people strategy. As CMS continues to strengthen its approach to partner performance, leadership development, succession planning and the wider partner lifecycle, you will help translate strategic priorities into practical and sustainable solutions. Working closely with senior leaders across the firm, you will develop frameworks, programmes and insights that support partners at every stage of their career. From performance and leadership development through to succession planning and future leadership pipelines, your work will influence both individual success and the long-term strength of the partnership. This role will suit someone who combines strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery, enjoys building new approaches and can establish credibility with senior stakeholders across a complex and professional environment.

What you'll do

• Partner Performance Lead: the continued development of the firm's approach to partner performance. Design and embed frameworks that support meaningful performance conversations, clear expectations and consistency across practice groups. Provide insight and analysis on partner contribution, performance trends and capacity. Work with Practice Group Leaders and Executive Team stakeholders to support effective performance management. Identify opportunities to strengthen partner effectiveness, engagement and commercial impact.
• Leadership Development: Develop and deliver the firm's leadership development approach for partners and senior leaders. Work with Learning & Development colleagues to design programmes focused on people leadership, client relationships, commercial effectiveness and firm leadership. Build development pathways for future Practice Group Leaders and other key leadership positions. Support coaching, mentoring and peer learning opportunities across the partnership.
• Talent and Succession: Lead the firm's approach to partner succession planning. Facilitate talent and succession discussions across practice groups and business areas. Develop frameworks that support the identification and development of future firm leaders. Support career development conversations for partners at different stages of their careers. Use data and insight to inform talent decisions and long-term workforce planning.
• Partner Lifecycle: Develop a more connected approach to the partner lifecycle, including onboarding, integration, development, progression and retirement planning. Enhance the experience of newly promoted and lateral partners through structured programmes and support. Help accelerate partner contribution through effective integration and development initiatives.
• Insight and Continuous Improvement: Develop meaningful people and performance insights that support decision‑making. Monitor external trends and emerging practice in leadership, professional services and partnership management. Evaluate programme effectiveness and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Improve processes, increase efficiency and enhance the overall partner experience.
• Stakeholder Leadership: Build trusted relationships with Executive Team members, Practice Group Leaders, senior partners and HR colleagues. Influence and challenge constructively to support effective people and business decisions. Lead strategic projects that support delivery of the People Strategy. Work collaboratively with Learning & Development, HR Business Partnering, Reward, Talent Acquisition, People Operations, People Analytics and the Partnership Office.

What you'll bring

• Essential Experience: designing and delivering talent, leadership, performance or succession initiatives within a professional services, partnership or similarly complex environment.
• The ability to develop strategy and translate it into practical, sustainable solutions.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and influencing at executive level.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and insight to shape decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, facilitation and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong project leadership skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Desirable Experience: working with partner populations, senior leaders or executive teams.
• Knowledge of leadership development, talent management and succession planning best practice.
• Experience within legal, financial or other professional services organisations.

Why join this role?

This is an opportunity to work at the centre of a significant strategic agenda and help shape how partner performance, leadership and succession are developed across the firm. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, influence key decisions and help build frameworks and programmes that support the future success of the partnership.

What's in it for you?

We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles.

To name a few, these include: Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually) Flexible, hybrid working policy Generous bonus scheme Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service) Holiday exchange scheme Private medical insurance Enhanced parental leave Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.

Whether you're a lawyer or a finance professional, a business developer or an IT expert, we have a wide range of legal and business careers for you. Find where you belong. Preparing for tomorrow's challenges starts today. That's why CMS adopts a Future Facing approach, ensuring our clients and our people stay ahead in an ever‑evolving landscape. Global expertise, local insights.