Associate Director, Staffing and Development

Cornerstone Research; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Retirement plans

Hybrid work model

Family & personal support

Mentorship & growth

Job summary

Cornerstone Research seeks an Associate Director, Staffing and Development to lead the Finance Staffing team across offices and partner with Practice leadership to align staffing with project needs and development goals. You will guide managers and consultants through complex pipelines while delivering high-quality client service.

The role emphasizes strategic staffing, development planning, and close collaboration within a global, performance-driven culture, supported by strong benefits and a

Qualifications

• 12+ years in a professional services, legal or consulting environment with staffing and development focus.
• Prior experience managing teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; ability to learn new software.
• Ability to implement strategic operational plans from business objectives.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and shifting priorities.
• Proven project management skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters and maintain confidentiality.
• Thrives in a demanding, fast-paced environment and under pressure.
• Strong communication and professional demeanour.
• Ability to understand firm's financial and operational functions.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Finance Staffing team and local office staffing managers.
• Collaborate with officers and case managers on a rapidly-changing project pipeline, deadlines, and priorities.
• Lead the project staffing process for billable and non-billable projects, balancing development needs and client needs.
• Provide leadership and guidance on key issues at each consultant level.
• Coach staff on incorporating development into staffing solutions and communicating decisions clearly.
• Create fair utilization across the practice and provide varied project opportunities.
• Develop relationships with consultants to understand aspirations and development needs.
• Maintain ongoing dialogue with case managers and advisors to align staffing with development goals.
• Proactively address staffing challenges.

Skills

Staffing leadership

Project management

Communication

Confidentiality

Strategic planning

Analytics

Detail orientation

Multitasking

Change management

Hybrid work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Role Overview

If you have a passion for team management and are looking for an opportunity to showcase your resource management, development, and case staffing skills, then we would like to meet with you!

The Associate Director, Staffing and Development, oversees all aspects of project staffing and related professional development for the Finance practice area. This position is critical to the functioning of case teams, the development of individuals, and Cornerstone's collective ability to provide consistently outstanding client service.

A member of the Talent team, the Associate Director reports to the Senior Director, Talent Acquisition and Staffing, and collaborates with Staffing colleagues, Practice Leadership, Practice Management, Learning & Development, Talent Acquisition, and HR, to facilitate the effectiveness of case teams and the firm's development objectives at the practice level. The Associate Director, Staffing and Development is a leader on the firm-wide team, providing oversight and guidance to team members and supporting the Director in managing the firm-wide staffing and development function.

At Cornerstone Research, you will be part of a thriving, 1,100-strong team that spans nine offices, comprises more than 55 nationalities, and leads the industry in its commitment to develop team members across all levels. Inc. Magazine has recognized Cornerstone Research five times as a Best Workplace for its outstanding employee engagement, collaborative culture, and professional growth opportunities.

You’ll Love It Here If You

• Embrace learning and continuous improvement
• Set and strive for a high bar of excellence
• Believe that teamwork leads to success: ask us what it means to be #onefirmfirm!
• Take pride in always doing your best work, even if it's harder or takes longer
• Are passionate about what you do

How You’ll Help Our Team Succeed

• Manage the Finance Staffing team, as well as local office staffing managers as assigned.
• Work closely with officers and case managers to understand and stay on top of a rapidly-changing pipeline of projects, deadlines, and priorities.
• Take ownership of and lead the project staffing process for billable and non-billable projects while accounting for specific case needs, development needs and timing.
• Provide leadership and guidance on key issues at each consultant level.
• Coach team members on how to incorporate development considerations into creative staffing solutions, how to reconcile with business needs, and how to communicate these determinations most effectively with all relevant stakeholder groups.
• Work with Officers to create a fair and comparable level of utilization across the practice and to provide consultants with the opportunity to work on a variety of matters and with a diversity of staff, while balancing development opportunities with client needs.
• Develop a professional relationship with each consultant, including an in-depth understanding of professional aspirations, experiences, strengths, development needs, and relevant personal circumstances.
• Ensure ongoing dialogue with case managers and advisors to align staffing decisions with skill and professional development goals.
• Work proactively to anticipate, identify and address challenging staffing issues.

What You’ll Need to Be Successful

• 12+ years of broad-based experience in a professional services, legal or consulting environment required with a demonstrated focus on staffing and professional development.
• Prior experience managing teams required.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office required, with the ability to learn new software and operating systems.
• Demonstrated ability to implement comprehensive short-term and long-term strategic operational plans from broadly stated business objectives.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, organizational, and planning skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and shifting priorities.
• Proven project management skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters, and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work well in a demanding and fast-paced environment and under pressure and conflicting circumstances.
• The desire to take initiative and actively contribute to the team and the firm.
• The ability to communicate effectively and professionally.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to learn the firm's financial and operational functions.
• The mindset to provide superior service.
• The ability to commute to one of our U.S offices in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley or Washington, DC, to comply with our hybrid work policy of 2-3 days per week in office.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

At Cornerstone Research, our people are our greatest asset.

We are committed to providing a competitive total rewards package that recognizes the high-caliber expertise you bring to our global team while supporting your long-term professional and personal growth.

Compensation

• Base Salary Range:
  • Boston: $134,200.00 - $185,950.00
  • Chicago: $128,000.00 - $177,555.00
  • Los Angeles: $134,600.00 - $186,690.00
  • New York: $137,100.00 - $190,050.00
  • San Francisco: $146,400.00 - $203,070.00
  • Silicon Valley: $149,800.00 - $207,690.00
  • Washington, DC: $131,600.00 - $182,490.00
  • Individual base compensation will be tailored to your primary work location and the unique depth of experience you bring to the firm.
• Annual Performance Bonus: This role is eligible for a discretionary bonus with a target of 17.5%.
  • This serves as a meaningful way for us to celebrate excellence, awarded based on both individual impact and our collective success as a firm.

A Holistic Investment in You

We view compensation as more than just a paycheck; it is an investment in your well-being and future. Our industry-leading benefits are designed to offer peace of mind and flexibility, featuring:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive healthcare options, a monthly wellness subsidy, and complimentary access to premium wellness apps.
• Financial Security: Robust retirement savings plans to secure your long-term financial goals.
• Work-Life Blend: A hybrid work model that balances collaborative in-office time with telecommuting flexibility, alongside generous paid time off to recharge.
• Family & Personal Support: Specialized support including fertility treatments, parental leave, back-up childcare, eldercare services, concierge assistance for personal errands, and pet care.
• Growth & Culture: A firm-wide commitment to mentorship, continuous learning, and a vibrant, inclusive community.

Please note that relocation assistance is not available for this role. We look forward to learning more about how your unique perspective can strengthen our team.

#LI - Hybrid

Who We Are

Cornerstone Research provides economic and financial analysis and expert testimony in all phases of commercial litigation and regulatory proceedings.

We work with a broad network of testifying experts, including leaders from academia and industry, who are recognized for their depth of knowledge, accomplishments, and research. Our staff consultants contribute expertise in economics, finance, accounting, and marketing, as well as business acumen, familiarity with the litigation process, and a commitment to produce outstanding results.

We're looking for passionate individuals who share our firm's core values and can bring varied perspectives and experiences to our team. The firm's uniquely collegial, supportive atmosphere makes Cornerstone Research a great place to work. We invest in our people in a host of ways, from providing meaningful learning and development opportunities to organizing memorable social events. To many, our culture and our people are the most exciting, enriching aspects of a Cornerstone Research career.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cornerstone Research provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to legally protected categories, such as age, sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, creed/religious belief, medical condition, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information or testing, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, military status, veteran status, arrest or conviction record (except where permitted by law), sexual orientation, ethnic background, citizen status, ancestry, national origin, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law.