Manager, Strategic Training Initiatives - M&A

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP; New York (NY); On-site; USD 200,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York is seeking a Manager, Strategic Training Initiatives - M&A. This role involves developing and delivering impactful training for associates in the M&A practice. The ideal candidate will possess a JD with 6+ years of M&A experience, strong organizational skills, and a passion for legal education.

The position requires collaboration with leadership and a focus on continuous improvement of training programs. The estimated salary range for this position is $200,000 to $275,000.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of M&A practice-related experience in a large law firm.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and driven self-starter.
• Ability to self-direct and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Identify practice-specific training needs aligned with legal skills.
• Create training content for in-person and virtual delivery.
• Measure effectiveness of training through feedback and metrics.

Skills

Strong oral and written communication skills

Ability to build professional relationships

Strong organizational skills

High proficiency with MS Office Suite

Education

JD with 6+ years of related experience

Job description

Job Summary & Objectives

The Manager, Strategic Training Initiatives - M&A is a member of the Legal Talent team, and plays a vital role in developing and delivering high-impact training that supports the growth and excellence of associates in the M&A practice. The role combines subject matter expertise in M&A law with the ability to design, deliver, and evaluate training programs tailored to the development needs of associates at all levels. The Manager, Strategic Training Initiatives - M&A will work closely with practice group leadership, partners, and cross-functional teams to ensure that training is aligned with the practice’s strategic goals and evolving market and legal trends. This is a proactive, detail-oriented position for someone who is passionate about teaching and committed to the continuous improvement of legal education.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Training Needs Assessment and Curriculum Development: Identify practice-specific training needs aligned with the substantive legal skills and knowledge required at each level of associate development, including junior, mid, and senior associates. Develop and maintain a dynamic, annual curriculum of training programs tailored to each associate level. Continuously evaluate and update training curricula to ensure they remain relevant, practical, and aligned with evolving substantive learning needs.
• Content Creation: Create training content for in-person, virtual, and on-demand delivery, including detailed case studies, templates, practical exercises, slides, and facilitator guides. Embed the firm’s practice-specific tools and technologies directly into hands‑on training to ensure associates learn legal content in the context of the systems and workflows they will use in real‑world deal work. Design and deliver training that simulates real‑world deal scenarios and encourages active problem‑solving. Develop content for client CLEs, as needed.
• Training Delivery: Co‑facilitate live trainings with Partners and Associates, primarily supporting interactive exercises to enhance practical application of legal concepts. Deliver 1:1 or small group training to associates who require targeted development, with a particular focus on lateral hires and associates for whom a particular development need has been identified.
• Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Collaborate closely with the M&A Practice Group Head, Partners, Associates, and members of the Legal Talent and Knowledge teams. Serve as a subject‑matter expert and trusted source of knowledge within the M&A practice.
• Training Evaluation and Legal Awareness: Measure the effectiveness of training through meetings with associates and partners, feedback surveys and other relevant metrics to ensure that training programs are meeting the needs of the associates and the practice. Stay informed about changes in law and trends in the M&A market, and incorporate relevant updates into training content and materials as appropriate.

Qualifications

• JD with 6+ years of related experience in a law firm.
• 6+ years of M&A practice‑related experience in a large law firm.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact well and build professional relationships while maintaining confidentiality; collaborative approach to working with others of all seniority levels.
• Strong interest in professional development.
• Ability to self‑direct, manage multiple priorities, analyze needs and implement solutions.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for both long and short‑term projects and responsibilities.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and driven self‑starter that demonstrates ownership, initiative, a strong work ethic, and commitment to the role and firm.
• Must be team oriented, contributing as needed on unexpected projects or requests.
• High proficiency with all MS Office Suite products.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Sitting: Remaining in the seated position, particularly for sustained periods of time.

Work Environment

The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions as in typical office or administrative work (normal light, air and space in the work environment).

Salary Information

NY Only: The estimated base salary range for this position is $200,000 to $275,000 at the time of posting. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible. Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is committed to a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. The Firm prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other legally protected status. This Policy pertains to every aspect of an individual’s relationship with the Firm, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.