Professional Development Manager

Term: Permanent
Working hours: Full-time
Department: Professional Development
Location: London
The firm

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a leading international law firm with offices across the world. It has a substantial European practice with particular emphasis on international arbitration and litigation, cross-border acquisitions, capital markets transactions, private equity funds, financings and restructurings. The London office has more than 120 lawyers, including 25 partners and 13 international counsel. Over two thirds of our lawyers are UK-qualified. Our London lawyers work closely with their colleagues in New York, Paris, Frankfurt and Moscow, as well as with lawyers in our other offices. The London office has an overall count of around 240. 

The position

This position supports all aspects of trainee, associate and counsel professional development for the London office.  The role reports into the Head of HR and will work closely with the New York-based Professional Development team, as well as similar positions in other offices within Europe and Asia.  

 

The responsibilities include:
 

  • Develop and coordinate the delivery of legal and professional development training for London partners, counsel, associates and trainees to address their respective learning and development needs
  • Oversee the trainee seat rotation and qualification process. Provide effective coaching and professional development support for our trainee cohort
  • Work with human resources staff to coordinate the lawyering orientation process for new trainees, associates and counsel
  • Manage the evaluation process for London trainees, associates and counsel, including supervising the collection of evaluations, interviewing partners to collect evaluations, organizing review materials for discussion of partners responsible for reviews, participating in discussions of associate performance, drafting career development messages, rankings and other performance messages, monitoring to ensure that performance messages are delivered, and participating in Evaluation Committee meetings
  • Coordinate the associate reviews in the firm’s Asian and European offices, as well as lawyer training across the firm’s European offices
  • Support the formal advising program for associates, including advisor assignments, orientation and training in advising-related matters
  • Provide career counseling and guidance for associates and counsel on professional development and practice issues
  • Convene, participate on and contribute, to the firm’s Associate Liaison Committee. Monitor trends and best practices in professional development and make recommendations for strengthening the office’s ability to develop and retain associates
  • Convene, participate on and contribute, to the firm’s D&I Committee. Monitor trends and best practices and make recommendations for strengthening the office’s ability to promote DEI at all levels.
  • Monitor trends and best practices in professional development and make recommendations for strengthening the office’s ability to develop and retain associates
  • Work closely with the New York-based Professional Development team on global projects and initiatives
Skills, experience & qualifications

A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the professional development field

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and relate effectively with lawyers at all levels, clients and administrative employees

Superior written communication skills

Ability to develop and implement programs and initiatives

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Equal opportunities

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences.