Professional Development Assistant

McDermott Will & Schulte; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

McDermott Will & Schulte in Chicago seeks a Professional Development Assistant to provide administrative support for attorney development programs and team operations. You will follow instructions, manage logistics, and prepare materials to ensure smooth program delivery.

Successful candidates will have a bachelor’s degree, strong Microsoft 365 skills, and excellent communication, with the ability to coordinate across attorneys, business professionals, and vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, OneDrive, Project Planner).
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong client service skills and ability to work in a collaborative team.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and handle confidential information.
• Some travel required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate logistics for firmwide attorney development programs.
• Manage invitations, registrations, tracking, materials, attendance, and feedback.
• Create surveys and prepare program evaluations, summaries, and reports.
• Assist with planning workshops, onboarding, and boot camps.
• Provide on-site and remote support for trainings.
• Coordinate rooms, AV, catering, and other event logistics.
• Maintain timelines, project plans, and data reports.
• Maintain development resources and intranet materials.
• Collaborate with attorneys, business professionals, and vendors to support program delivery.
• Prepare client-ready written communications to attorneys and vendors.
• Provide administrative support for team operations and initiatives.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Client service

Team collaboration

Deadline-driven

Confidential information handling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Word

OneDrive

Project Planner

Job description

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career - wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With Us, You'll Find

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity - we encourage you to be yourself!
• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.
• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description

The Professional Development (PD) Assistant provides administrative support to the Professional Development team for initiatives related to attorney development and general team support. The PD Assistant follows instructions, processes, and guidelines to perform the essential functions of the job.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Coordinate logistics and communications for firmwide attorney development programs and initiatives.
• Support program administration, including invitations, registration, participant tracking, material preparation, attendance monitoring, and feedback collection.
• Create surveys, compile participant feedback, and prepare program evaluations, summaries, and reports.
• Assist with planning and executing practice excellence workshops, attorney onboarding and orientation, practice group boot camps, and other in-person and virtual programs.
• Travel to other firm office locations to provide on the ground support for in-person attorney trainings and events.
• Coordinate conference rooms, audio/visual (AV) support, catering, program materials, and other event logistics.
• Maintain and communicate in regard to timelines and project plans to move initiatives forward.
• Exercise critical thinking and judgment in coordination of training and event logistics.
• Maintain program records, participation data, metrics, and electronic files; assist with reporting and data analysis.
• Assist with the maintenance of attorney development resources, intranet page, and internal program materials.
• Collaborate with attorneys, business professionals, and external vendors to support program delivery and participant experience.
• Prepare client-ready written communications to attorneys, business professionals, external vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Provide administrative support for team operations, including meeting coordination, cross-functional collaboration, special projects, and other department initiatives.

Job Specifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, OneDrive, and Project Planner)
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and attention to detail skills
• Strong client service skills
• Ability to work well within a collaborative team environment
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information
• Ability to learn new concepts and skills quickly
• Some travel required

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.

Target Hiring Range $55,000 - $76,000

Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWE provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear
• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.