Manager, Professional Development
Human ResourcesAll Practice AreasAustin, Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Harrisburg, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Newark, Orange County, Palo Alto, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, DC, Wilmington, DEJob Description
At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place. We are seeking a Manager, Professional Development to join the firm. The Professional Development Manager designs, implements, and manages programs supporting training, professional growth, and career development for lawyers and allied professionals. This role collaborates with Practice Area Leaders, Office Managing Partners, firm leadership, and the People team to deliver effective initiatives. Compensation Salary $94,000 - $176,000 The compensation salary for this position will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors. ABOUT THE FIRM K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents in more than 40 offices. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S. based law firms in the world. We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world. The industry recognition the firm has garnered emanates from the foundation of a global community aligned on behalf of our clients. The people at K&L Gates are committed to working together to create a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals. For more information or to view other job opportunities, please click here to go back to our careers page. Notice: We participate in E-Verify in certain Firm locations for purposes of verifying employment eligibility. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. BENEFITS K&L Gates offers our personnel a comprehensive suite of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time personnel include: EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Firm is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Firm that employment decisions shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by virtue of a person’s race (including traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as afros, braids, locks, and twists), religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, gender, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, familial status, domestic violence victim status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all aspects of employment including, without limitation, recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, assignment, and dismissal. In addition, it is the Firm’s policy to provide an environment that is free of prohibited harassment of any kind including, without limitation, that which is based on sex, race, age, disability, ethnic background, or any other category protected by law (including the categories listed above). The Firm complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact askHR@klgates.com.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Designing, coordinating, and delivering firm-wide and practice-specific training curricula, including substantive legal skills, leadership, and business development workshops.
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders and external vendors to create engaging learning opportunities.
• Collaborating with the CLE Specialist, monitoring CLE requirements, and overseeing CLE accreditation and reporting processes.
• Providing guidance and career coaching to associates regarding skills development, practice growth, and firm expectations.
• Managing mentorship programs and facilitate connection opportunities between lawyers and mentors/sponsors.
• Planning and executing Summer Associate programs, First Year Virtual Academy, and practice-specific First Year training.
• Leading onboarding programs for new lawyers and lateral hires to ensure successful integration into the firm.
• Partnering with HR and recruiting to align onboarding with long-term talent development goals.
• Engaging in planning and executing firm wide professional development events, including Global Associate Symposium, Leadership College for New Partners, mini-MBA, and practice-based retreats.
• Collaborating on talent retention, opportunity & inclusion initiatives, and well-being programs.
• Analyzing metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of professional development programs and recommending improvements.
• Coordinating with PD colleagues across offices to ensure consistency in development initiatives while allowing for local tailoring. Share best practices globally and foster a cohesive professional development culture across regions.
EXPERIENCE SKILLS REQUIRED
• Have a thorough education in a relevant area of study
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of lawyer career progression and competencies, along with a working knowledge of CLE requirements.
• Demonstrate expertise with learning management systems (LMS) and Microsoft Office Suite; experience with PD/talent development software is advantageous.
• Demonstrate professionalism, confidentiality, and sound judgment at an exceptional level.
• Demonstrate expertise in managing projects, organizing tasks, and communicating effectively across various teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders across multiple locations.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with a global team.
• Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Possess extensive experience in designing and facilitating education programs and leading talent management initiatives in a multi-office law firm.