Professional Development Manager - Based in Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, or Novi

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Director of Legal Recruiting & Professional Development the ACRC Chair Practice Team Leaders PMLs ARTs and other key partners to identify attorney training needs and performance gaps and develop a comprehensive training program relevant to Varnum attorneys i.e. exemplifies the Varnum culture and addresses those needs and gaps. This may include utilizing both internal and external training resources.
• Manage and facilitate the firms annual attorney evaluation process six-month evaluation process and all interim evaluation process as needed including:
  • Attending practice team discussion meetings regarding associate performance.
  • Review and update evaluation processes and forms and interface with the performance management system provider to implement changes.
  • Preparing and distributing performance evaluations.
• Collaborate with the Director of Legal Recruiting & Professional Development the ACRC Chair Practice Team Leaders PMLs ARTs and other key partners to identify and develop associate retention efforts including:
  • Conduct annual associate satisfaction surveys.
  • Plan and execute the bi-annual associate retreat.
  • Plan and execute all other associate moral events.
• Partner with firm leadership to draft and manage Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) for associates including drafting individualized plans tracking progress and supporting ongoing performance conversations in a confidential and constructive manner.
• Monitor associate workload and hours.
• Manage associate mentor programs including the development of mentor/mentee guidelines and first year associate mentor teams.
• Document implement and manage all reduced hours arrangements and alternative work schedules.
• Maintain all relevant associate policies and collaborate with the Director of Legal Recruiting & Professional Development the ACRC Chair Practice Team Leaders PMLs ARTs and other key partners to revise/update as needed.
• Manage the new and lateral attorney bar admission process.
• Maintain relevant attorney records/data and respond to survey requests as needed. Monitor market/industry compensation trends.
• Provide administrative support for various firm committees employee resource and working groups and other strategic initiatives as needed including the Associate Compensation and Retention Committee and the Varnum Womens Forum.

• Develop manage and facilitate the firms lateral attorney onboarding (LANDing Team) process; collaborate with the Director of Legal Recruiting & Professional Development and other key partners to develop a comprehensive integration program relevant to lateral attorneys.
• Serve as a resource for new lateral attorney hires during their integration period with the firm.
• Facilitate the attorney offboarding and departure process including conducting associate exit interviews and coordinating logistics alongside other administrative teams.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent organizational interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Professional demeanor and ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ATS platforms Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Teams.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree required advanced degree or JD a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in attorney professional development law firm talent management or another professional services industry.