Talent Development Specialist

Dechert LLP; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Dechert LLP seeks a Talent Development Specialist to design, develop, implement, and deliver training programs that advance lawyers and business services professionals across the firm. You will manage curriculum, logistics, and the DLCC, partnering with the Global Talent team to align programs with firm goals.

From coordinating fall orientation for incoming associates to onboarding lateral hires, you will create engaging content, track outcomes, and ensure CLE compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• At least two years of experience in a Talent Development role.
• Experience working in mid-size to large law firm or office preferred.
• Detail-oriented.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a professional and diplomatic manner, and strong grammar and reading comprehension.
• Highly analytical.
• Ability to solve problems and be forward thinking.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to build effective working relationships across departments.
• Highly proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, database and learning management systems.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and delivers professional development programs to drive development, engagement, and retention.
• Curates curricula including e-learning and blended content.
• Supports global talent programs and cross-functional collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Develops session outlines, content, slide decks, attendee communications, and post-session reports.
• Supports orientation and onboarding for associates and lateral hires.
• Coordinates with CLE team for accreditation and compliance.
• Manages the DLCC and provides reporting and user support.
• Produces monthly CSI newsletter and updates intranet content.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical

Detail oriented

Multitasking

Collaborative

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

2+ years Talent Development experience

Experience in mid-size to large law firm

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

DLCC/Learning Mgmt System

Job description

The Talent Development Specialist is responsible for designing, developing, implementing, and delivering training programs and initiatives that drive the development, engagement, and retention of lawyers at all levels and business services professionals (BSPs) across the firm. Working within the Global Talent Development team, this role supports all aspects of the firm’s professional development programs and initiatives, including curriculum curation, program logistics, learning management system administration, and cross-functional collaboration with internal stakeholders.

The Talent Development Specialist also serves as the primary project manager for the firm’s annual Fall Orientation program for incoming associates, overseeing all aspects of planning and execution. This role also supports the onboarding of lateral lawyers and BSPs and contributes to broader Talent Development projects and initiatives as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Training and Development

• Initiates, develops, and executes professional development programs to drive development, engagement, and retention. Works with the Talent team, practice group, department and office leads across the firm to develop training solutions to meet business needs.
• Curates professional development curricula including e-learning and blended learning content.
• Collaborates with the wider Global Talent team to support global programs and identify synergies, including synergies between support staff and legal training.
• Works on the development of substantive training programs, including creating session outlines, content, and slide decks in collaboration with program leaders, drafting attendee communications, and producing post-session attendance and evaluation reports; partners with the others on the team on program logistics and execution.
• Supports the planning and execution of programs for partners and summer associates.
• Coordinates with the firm's CLE team to facilitate CLE accreditation and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
• Produces and distributes the monthly Critical Skills Institute (CSI) newsletter to all lawyers, including featuring upcoming trainings and e-learning content, and updates the intranet content.
• Creates and maintains customized learning paths within the DLCC, drawing on current training programs, PLI, CLE content, and other resources, as requested by practice group directors to support the development of associates.

Orientation and Onboarding

• Serves as primary project manager for the firm's annual Fall Orientation program, overseeing all aspects of planning and execution end-to-end, including program content and materials, venue and logistics coordination, attendee communications, budget management, and post-program reporting and documentation.
• Supports lateral lawyers and business services professionals (BSPs) onboarding, including delivering weekly new hire training.

Learning Management System

• Administers the firm's online learning center (Dechert Learning and Compliance Center (DLCC)).
• Responds to requests from internal stakeholders, acting as point of contact for all inquiries including DLCC system access and reporting; determines other IT and vendor assistance as required.
• Responds to requests for training compliance audits and reporting.

Other

Acts as a resource for other members of the Global Talent team and assists with ad hoc projects and initiatives as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS / KSAs

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• At least two years of experience in a Talent Development role.
• Experience working in mid-size to large law firm or office preferred.
• Detail-oriented.
• Ability to prioritize own work and the work of others to meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a professional and diplomatic manner, and strong grammar and reading comprehension.
• Highly analytical.
• Ability to solve problems and be forward thinking.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to build effective working relationships across departments.
• Highly proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, database and learning management systems.

Dechert LLP is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination. The Firm prohibits unlawful discrimination in any term or condition of employment against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, membership or service in the armed forces, or any other characteristic protected by law.