Professional Development Manager - Transactions Legal Practice

McDermott Will & Schulte LLP; New York (NY); On-site; USD 131,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

McDermott Will & Schulte LLP in New York, NY is seeking a Manager of Professional Development to develop and facilitate transactional training programs tailored to associates' needs. This role involves liaising with various stakeholders, designing curricula, and evaluating training impacts.

The ideal candidate will possess a JD, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work under tight deadlines. Full-time positions are eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience practicing law in a corporate transactions practice area.
• Ability to travel for work.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with stakeholders to identify associate training needs.
• Design and oversee transactional training curricula.
• Continuously evaluate and update training competencies.
• Design transactional matter simulations.
• Distill associate performance review feedback into actionable items.
• Lead needs assessment and training impact focus groups.

Skills

Team player with experience working in virtual teams

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong organizational skills

Ability to handle and maintain confidential information

Strong interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Tools

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

Job description

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 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, and other stakeholders 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 actionable items.
• 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.

Target Hiring Range

$131,000 - $194,000

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.

Additional Information

Full‑time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package. 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.