Associate Professional Development Manager

The Role

As the Associate Professional Development Manager, this role will be the primary resource for associates, and most commonly first and second year associates, regarding their professional development.  This role will work closely with divisional leadership, partners, and the global HR team.

Primary Functions

• Manage the staffing process for all junior associates (generally 1^st and 2^nd year) in the firm's US offices
• Monitor associate utilization and divisional needs; assist with staffing solutions to maximize each associate’s variety of work, exposure to different partners, and opportunity to develop and hone skills; support partners in resource planning and in building high-performance teams.
• Partner with the Regional Divisional Leaders to address workflow or other divisional related issues or concerns
• Work in tandem with partners and the Learning & Development team to address the optimal professional development of the firm’s associates and establish technical skill competencies
• Engage with associates to identify and understand issues of importance regarding their work experience to help balance divisional staffing needs and client service considerations with associate preferences and career development goals
• Work with partners and other firm lawyers to develop and implement the division's technical skills training curriculum, including internal and external programs
• Collaborate with the Human Resources team and others to assist with the on-boarding of new associates, organization of morale-building events, and other projects
• Responsible for drafting and assisting with the delivery of appraisals for the junior associate population and ensuring that they are provided with continuous feedback

Specific Skills Required

• Must be a motivated self-starter and a thoughtful, creative, resourceful, and resilient problem-solver with a demonstrated ability to drive innovation and change and a strong interest in lawyer development and training.
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal, personnel, and client affairs.
• Highly proficient in all standard office software, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Excellent attention to detail together with a methodical and organized approach.
• Strong communicator and presenter, both verbally and written, at all levels in a clear and concise manner.
• Able to handle queries efficiently with diplomacy and tact, gaining confidence of partners and staff with the desire to work as part of a team but equally able to work independently.
• Able to manage fast-paced workload effectively, prioritize and manage conflicting deadlines, and move projects forward under tight deadlines while handling multiple, detailed tasks.
• Able to influence and build strong working relationships with internal clients and colleagues in a collaborative and supportive manner.
• Able to escalate issues as appropriate and present and communicate issues effectively along with logical solutions for implementation.
• Solutions focused, proven initiative, proactive approach and independent thought.
• Flexibility to work outside of standard hours, when needed.

Experience and Education Required

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in managing workflow/assignments and coordinating with partners and other fee earners
• Juris Doctorate
• Flexibility to travel to other US offices as needed 

About Withersworldwide

Law.com International's Law Firm of the Year 2021

For 125 years, our firm has focused on and helped successful people, families, entrepreneurs, family businesses, governments and institutions negotiate the wide range of legal issues they face in their business and personal lives. Over time, we have gained valuable insights into the ways wealth can be generated, preserved, deployed and enhanced. We assist our clients in a variety of industry sectors including real estate, manufacturing, motorsport, luxury brands, sport, hotels and hospitality, technology, energy, art and cultural assets, life sciences, charities and philanthropy and financial services. With 18 offices our experience means we can see the global picture. We provide legal advice across a range of different practice areas including estate planning, personal and corporate tax and, corporate, banking and finance, access to capital (both private and public) both equity and debt, real estate, intellectual property, immigration, international trust structuring, philanthropy, luxury assets, international probate, public international law and international arbitration. 

COVID – 19 Vaccination Policy

Withers Bergman LLP requires all new hires to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  Reasonable accommodation(s) based on medical or religious grounds will be provided to qualified candidates.  Candidates will be required to verify their vaccination status only after a conditional offer of employment is made.  Applicants should not provide information about their vaccination status or need for accommodation prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

Withers Bergman LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  Equal employment opportunity has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the firm. Employment at the firm is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  The firm prohibits and will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these classifications or characteristics.

If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website to apply for a position, please contact the firm at 203 789 1320 or email us.recruiting@withersworldwide.com with your request.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.

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