Manager of Attorney Development & Engagement

Vinson & Elkins; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vinson & Elkins seeks a Manager of Attorney Development and Engagement to lead the firm’s attorney development, performance, and engagement strategy, driving an inclusive, high-impact associate experience.

This role partners with Talent, firm leadership, and external partners to design onboarding, mentoring, coaching, evaluations, and learning programs, while advancing resource group engagement and understanding workforce data to optimize utilization.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience leading attorney development programs in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Experience managing talent or development programs including coaching initiatives or engagement activities.
• Ability to analyze workforce data and translate insights into actionable improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead workforce data analysis to identify utilization trends and engagement indicators; translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Design and implement tailored action plans for underutilized or disengaged associates.
• Advise on onboarding, mentoring, evaluations, and work allocation to ensure inclusive objectives.
• Lead programming for attorney resource groups to promote connectivity and inclusive networking.
• Manage external partnerships to create mentoring and upskilling opportunities for associates.
• Coordinate RFPs and diversity surveys to represent inclusive practices and progress.
• Support evaluation cycles with feedback review and action planning.

Skills

Workforce data analysis

Engagement coaching

Talent development

Communication

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree

JD or MBA preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

ViGlobal

Oracle

Job description

The Manager of Attorney Development and Engagement is responsible for leading and executing key components of the firm’s attorney development, performance, and engagement strategy and overall experience of the firm’s associates. This position leverages workforce insights, coaching, and strong collaborative partnerships to optimize utilization, foster engagement, and ensure inclusive development opportunities. Working closely with colleagues in Attorney Development, Talent teams, firm leadership, and external partners, the Manager leads initiatives in onboarding, mentoring, coaching, evaluations, learning programs, and resource group engagement — ensuring a consistent, supportive, and high-impact experience for associates.

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary

• Lead Workforce Data Analysis: Review associate workforce metrics to identify utilization trends, performance patterns, and engagement indicators; translate insights into actionable recommendations to support improvements in utilization, performance, and engagements outcomes.
• Engagement & Performance Coaching: Partner with Talent Leads and Attorney Development professionals to design and implement tailored action plans for underutilized or disengaged associates, fostering performance improvement and belonging.
• Lead and Advise on Talent Development Practices: Advise on onboarding, mentoring, performance evaluations, and work allocation programs and processes to ensure they are inclusive and aligned with associate performance objectives.
• Lead Attorney Resource Group Engagement: Lead programming for attorney resource groups to promote cross-practice group and office connectivity, professional development, and inclusive networking opportunities.
• Facilitate External Development Partnerships: Manage and leverage relationships with external organizations (e.g., bar associations, professional networks) to create mentoring, upskilling, and visibility opportunities for associates.
• Support External Reporting & Recognition: Coordinate and support RFPs and diversity surveys, ensuring accurate representation of the firm’s inclusive practices and progress.
• Support Attorney Development Processes: Manage and support key components of evaluation cycles by gathering and reviewing feedback, scheduling review meetings, analyzing results, and recommending action plans based on identified trends.
• Collaborate on Learning & Development: Work closely with the Learning & Development team on firmwide training programs and lead or manage assigned initiatives and special projects.

Secondary

• Contribute to other planning development initiatives and programs as requested.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required. JD or Master’s Degree in business administration, leadership or organizational development preferred.

Experience

• 8 – 10 years of experience leading and delivering programs and practices related to attorney development efforts in a law firm or similar professional services environment required.
• Demonstrated experience managing key components of talent or development programs, including performance processes, coaching initiatives, or engagement activities.
• Experience analyzing workforce data and translating insights into actionable improvements to support talent development outcomes.

Special Knowledge

• Strong understanding of recruiting, professional development, culture and engagement, business development, and organizational development preferred.
• Demonstrated success in developing strategy and process improvements.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in the use of computer programs including Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of talent systems such as ViGlobal and Oracle a plus.
• Ability to leverage reporting and data tools to support program management, monitoring, and decision-making.

Attributes

• Exceptional communication and organizational skills; ability to work with a team of highly-skilled professionals in situations that require diplomacy and confidentiality; detail-oriented; financial and statistical reporting skills; strong relationship building, people, organizational and project management skills.
• Deep knowledge of change management and strategies for creating alignment with a diverse set of employees.
• Outstanding creative thinking skills and the ability to offer new ideas and approaches.
• Innovative thinker; creative problem solver; excellent interpersonal, team, and verbal and written communications skills; works effectively and collaboratively at all levels.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects at once, realign priorities as needed, and drive projects to successful completion.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to leverage data for decision-making.
• Ability to work independently and flexibly, managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Commands the respect of partners, associates and business support colleagues.
• Responds quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities.
• Ability to anticipate problems and independently propose solutions while maintaining highly confidential and sensitive information.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage people and maintain a good rapport with various personnel at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple initiatives simultaneously and determining priorities based on what is most important to the Firm’s success.
• Ability to work independently and with a team, and to delegate and manage resources effectively.
• Ability and availability to travel in order to effectively implement the firm’s strategy and initiatives.
• Sound judgment and ability to respect, protect and maintain highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and handle multiple, detailed tasks.

Working Conditions

• Job is performed in a typical office environment, but is subject to time pressures and constraints, and is often dependent on input from others.
• Frequent travel and ability to work late hours.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and skills required of personnel so classified. The firm reserves the right to revise or modify this job description at any time.