Professional Development Manager

Gibson Dunn; New York (NY); On-site; USD 190,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Retirement benefits

Paid days off

Parental leave

Life insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

Gibson Dunn in New York seeks a Professional Development Manager to lead associate development, including integration, coaching, mentor programs, and training. The role reports to the Director of Professional Development – New York and requires top-tier communication, judgment, diplomacy, and initiative.

You will collaborate with the New York Associates Committee, plan onboarding for fall and lateral hires, coordinate mentor activities, and analyze trends from exit interviews to continually

Qualifications

• JD required and 5+ years as an associate at a global law firm
• Experience in recruiting, mentoring, training, and associate programs
• Formal coaching training is a plus
• Strong MS Word and PowerPoint; Excel proficiency

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential professional development coaching to associates.
• Manage integration and onboarding for new and lateral associates.
• Coordinate mentor program events and resources.
• Support associates with flex-time and Parenthood programs.
• Collaborate with the New York Associates Committee and partners on office programming.
• Analyze associate trends from exit interviews and meetings.
• Assist curriculum design for New Lawyer and Mid-Level Academies.
• Plan long-term or special PD projects.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Writing/editing

Project management

Relationship building

Integrity

Public speaking

Travel willingness

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

MS Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision.

Based in New York, the Professional Development Manager will focus on associate development efforts, including integration, coaching, mentor programs, and training. This individual will possess exceptional communication skills, strong judgment and diplomacy, and great initiative, along with experience as an attorney at an elite law firm.

This role reports to the Director of Professional Development – New York.

Responsibilities

• Coaching: Provide confidential, individualized professional development coaching to associates, to help with goal setting, professional challenges, and general brainstorming. Lead group coaching meetings with new associates.
• New & Lateral Associate Integration: Play a key role in fall and lateral associate on-boarding and integration processes (e.g., orientation planning and presentation, mentor assignments). Support new associates with their integration, including through new joiner check-in calls, new associate pods, and mentor pairing.
• Mentoring: Provide guidance and support to the New York mentor program, including planning and coordinating periodic Mentor Program events; reviewing ongoing mentor group assignments; and creating resources to support mentor goals.
• Associate Support: Conduct monthly associate check-in calls, assist expecting and new parents with on-ramping, off-ramping, and adjusting to parenthood through the Gibson Dunn Families Program, provide support to attorneys on flex-time schedules, and conduct informal check-ins with other associates.
• Local Office Support: Collaborate with the New York Associates Committee, Partners-in-Charge, and other attorneys and staff with respect to office programming, town halls, event design, coordination, and in-person support.
• Themes/Trends Analysis: Conduct exit interviews with departing associate attorneys. Analyze and report on associate trends arising from exit interviews, Associates Committee meetings, associate check-ins, and industry research.
• Academies: Assist with curriculum design and general planning of the New Lawyer and Mid-Level Academies.
• Special Projects: With direction from department leaders, plan and implement long-term and/or special projects, or revise and update existing Professional Development programs.

Qualifications

• Professional demeanor and excellent communication skills paired with a service-oriented attitude.
• Strong organizational skills with a focus on attention to detail, problem solving, and the ability to multitask.
• Excellent writing, proofreading, and editing skills. Must be able to tailor written work product to appropriate audience.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness, creativity, and self-directed behavior.
• Established project management skills, event planning, and program design experience. Demonstrated ability to make continued progress on long-term projects.
• Ability to interact effectively with colleagues at all levels of the Firm, including taking the initiative to meet and maintain positive relationships with attorneys and staff.
• Integrity to handle sensitive and highly confidential information with utmost care.
• Ability to identify potential legal issues and concerns and message appropriately to Firm management as necessary or required.
• Comfort with public speaking.
• Willingness to travel, as some travel will be required.

Experience

• JD required.
• 5+ years' experience as an associate in a global law firm preferred, with a proven track record of involvement in recruiting, mentoring, training and associate programs.
• Formal training as a coach is a plus, but not required.
• Strong skills in MS Word and PowerPoint. Demonstrated proficiency in Excel.

Compensation & Benefits

The annual compensation range for this position is $190-200k. The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations.

• health care
• retirement benefits
• paid days off, including sick time, and vacation time
• parental leave
• basic life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• discretionary, performance-based bonuses

Gibson Dunn is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities.

We strive to ensure an inclusive and accessible hiring experience.

The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable participation in the application and recruitment process, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise take part in the recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail].

Please note, this is a dedicated email inbox established exclusively to assist applicants with accommodation request related to the recruitment process. Inquiries about the status of an application or other non-accommodation matter will not receive a response.