Professional Development Manager - Transactions Legal Practice

McDermott Will & Schulte; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 131,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonuses

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

McDermott Will & Schulte in Chicago is seeking a Manager of Professional Development to develop and coordinate practice group training and curricula. The role requires a Juris Doctorate and experience in corporate transactions. This position offers a supportive environment and emphasizes professional growth.

Successful candidates will enjoy a competitive salary range of $131,000 - $194,000, along with performance-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate (JD).
• Experience in a corporate transactions practice area is necessary.
• Must have strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with affinity group leaders to identify training needs.
• Design and oversee transactional training curricula.
• Evaluate and update training competencies and curricula.

Skills

Team player

Excellent communication skills

Strong organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to handle confidential information

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word)

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 Manager of Professional Development develops, coordinates and facilitates transactional practice group training, curricula, in-person practice excellence workshops and program content. This position combines transactional law expertise with the ability to design, deliver and evaluate training programs tailored to the development needs of associates at all levels in all transactional affinity groups. The Manager of Professional Development works closely with the professional development team and practice and affinity group leaders to assess substantive learning needs, design training strategy and ensure that programming is aligned with the firm’s goals and evolving market and legal trends.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Liaise with affinity group leaders, practice group directors, partners in charge of training and development partners to identify associate training needs aligned to competencies and practice priorities
• Design and oversee implementation of transactional training curricula, including specialized curricula by level, practice and function, incorporating digital and in-person experiential learning opportunities
• Continuously evaluate and update training competencies and curricula to ensure they remain relevant, practical and innovative
• Design transactional matter simulations so associates can increase experience, reps and judgment
• Distill associate performance review feedback into action
• Design and lead needs assessment and training impact focus groups and surveys; analyze results and use information to inform training priorities
• Leverage technology platforms and learning analytics to deliver and assess training innovation and impact
• Support new and lateral onboarding and integration of transactional attorneys
• Manage and train direct report(s) and other junior professional development team members
• Participate in learning and development organizations and conferences to stay abreast of new learning tools and evolving trends

Job Specifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Juris Doctorate (JD)
• Team player with experience working in virtual teams
• Experience practicing law in a corporate transactions practice area
• Ability to travel for work
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills; ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information
• Strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated ability to be effective in both a group and one-on-one setting

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 $131,000 - $194,000

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 MWS 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

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.