Talent Development Specialist (Training)

Dechert LLP; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Dechert LLP is seeking a Talent Development Specialist in New York to design and deliver training across the firm, supporting professional development for lawyers and BSPs.

The role includes curriculum curation, program logistics, and DLCC administration, with primary responsibility for the annual Fall Orientation for incoming associates and onboarding of lateral hires. Collaboration with the Global Talent team is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• At least two years of experience in a Talent Development role.
• Experience in a 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.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and delivers training programs to drive lawyer and BSP development, engagement, and retention.
• Curates curricula including e-learning and blended content.
• Collaborates with Global Talent team to support global programs and synergies across staff and legal training.
• Develops training materials, session outlines, and communication materials; supports program logistics and execution.
• Plans and executes programs for partners and summer associates.
• Coordinates with CLE team for accreditation and compliance.
• Produces monthly CSI newsletter and maintains intranet content.
• Creates learning paths within the DLCC as requested by practice group directors.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Time management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

DLCC

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

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.

At the time of this posting, the salary range for this position in New York is $80,000 to $100,000 annually. Actual compensation is commensurate with job related knowledge, skills, experience and location of the position.

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.