Talent Manager, Dispute Resolution

Professional Development Consortium (PDC); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Baker McKenzie in North America seeks a Talent Manager for NA Disputes to lead performance management, succession planning, and development initiatives across multiple offices.

You will coach partners and associates, coordinate promotions and integration, and partner with human resources to drive talent strategy in a dynamic, client-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Talent or Organizational Development or related field.
• Extensive experience in Talent Management, preferably in professional services.
• Experience across multiple locations and jurisdictions.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and manage stakeholders.
• Strong coaching and counselling skills.
• Collaborative and teamwork oriented.

Responsibilities

• Support and coordinate annual performance reviews and mid-year check-ins.
• Identify and implement solutions for underperforming and high-potential talent.
• Coach partners on performance issues and participate in improvement discussions.
• Coordinate promotions and matriculation materials for candidates.
• Facilitate talent mapping discussions and integration plans.
• Oversee mobility and onboarding for new and lateral hires.
• Develop career conversations and targeted training with leadership.
• Provide individual career development coaching and counselling.
• Liaise with HR for mobility, integration, and mentoring programs.
• Ensure ramping and offboarding of attorneys as needed.

Skills

Talent Management

Organizational Development

Coaching

Stakeholder Management

People Development

Performance Management

Cross-location Collaboration

English Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Talent/Organizational Development or related field

Job description

Locations: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington

Remote/WFH? Flexible

Talent Manager, Dispute Resolution

Main Responsibilities

Performance Management:

• Support and coordinate the annual performance review and mid-year check-ins for NA Disputes;
• Work with the PGLs and the BM to identify and implement solutions and programs for underperforming as well as high-potential talent on a routine and ongoing basis throughout calendar and fiscal years; and
• Coach partners on associate performance issues and sit in on meetings with associates to discuss improvement plans, as necessary
• Sit in on performance review meetings when appropriate
• Escalate high-risk or employee relations situations to Human Resource Managers

Matriculation

• Support and coordinate the promotion process from Associate to National Partner/Counsel, working with the Business Manager for the practice group to compile materials for candidates
• Advise on the annual matriculation process for Associates advancing class years

Talent Mapping

• Facilitate discussions with PGLs to support the talent mapping/pipeline process

Timekeeper (non-partner) Recruitment

• Coordinate with PG Business Manager to complete the business justification ("Hire Request") and shepherd through the approval process

Integration

• Serve as a key liaison to support and facilitate integration of lateral partners, associates, and incoming first-year associates
• Develop and coordinate a one-year integration plan for lateral partners
• Oversee ramping up and down of attorneys from temporary departures/leaves of absence

Career Development

• Coordinate nomination for internal and external programs, assess and identify lawyer training needs, and address them in partnership with PGL & Leadership and Learning team
• Lead regional career conversations program focusing on high-level conversations between attorneys and firm leaders to support desired career path. Work with knowledge management to ensure practice-specific training is appropriate and well-attended

Coaching And Counselling

• Provide individual career development coaching and counselling sessions and work with individuals on their development plans and business plans
• Coach attorneys through performance issues.

Onboarding

• Host practice group orientations for new lawyers and be available as a resource
• Liaise with other functional teams to support new joiners in learning firm tools, technology, operations, and strategies

Mentoring

• Facilitate mentoring program logistics for NA Dispute
• Coordinate regional associate integration mentoring program for North America

Mobility

• Liaise with Global Mobility and office-based Human Resources on mobility requests

Paralegal Management

Oversee, among other things,

• Time management
• Work allocation
• Professional development

Organizational Development

• Follow-up on internal feedback surveys and campaigns; focus on improving engagement
• Close coordination with office-based Human Resources to support the PGLs and BM on people-related issues
• Other duties as assigned

Skills And Experience

• A bachelor's degree focusing on Talent, Professional Development, Organizational Development, Management, or other related areas; JD or law firm experience preferred
• Extensive experience in Talent Management, preferably in a professional services environment
• Experience working across multiple locations and jurisdictions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail; fluent written and spoken English is required
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and drive results with a sense of urgency in setting strategies and executing against the objectives
• Proven ability to influence, interact, and consult with senior leaders, strong collaboration skills, and effective stakeholder management
• Strong coaching, counselling, business acumen, and overall communication skills
• Knowledge of and involvement in the larger professional development/talent management community a plus
• Prioritizes collaboration and teamwork values

Location

Any Baker McKenzie Office in the US or Canada

Reports to

Director of Talent Management, NA

Travel requirements

Some travel is required.

Position type

Regional

Development framework

Manager