Senior Director of Talent

Grand Rapids, MI - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 22 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Position Overview

Varnum LLP a Michigan-based full-service law firm with over 200 attorneys and six officeshas an opening for a Senior Director of Talentin ourGrand Rapidsoffice directly overseeing the Director of Human Resources and Director of Attorney Recruiting and Professional Development.

This position plays a key leadership role in shaping the firms future by attracting developing and retaining exceptional legal and professional talent. Reporting to firm leadership this individual provides strategic direction and oversight for all aspects of the firms people operations including attorney and staff recruiting professional development employee engagement retention and benefits.

The Senior Director of Talent will ensure alignment and collaboration across all talent functions and partner closely with firm leadership to design and implement initiatives that strengthen the firms culture support growth and align the firms people strategy with its overall business objectives. The position blends strategic vision with hands-on leadershipideal for a dynamic professional who thrives in a collegial law firm environment.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

Serve as a key advisor to firm leadership on all talent-related strategies workforce planning and organizational development.
Oversee the Directors of Human Resources and Attorney Recruiting & Professional Development ensuring coordination consistency and excellence across all people initiatives.
Lead and develop the broader talent HR and recruiting teams to deliver best-in-class support to attorneys and staff.
Use data and analytics to identify trends measure progress and inform strategic decision-making.
Represent the firm at recruiting professional development and industry events to enhance its visibility as an employer of choice.

Recruitment & Hiring

Develop and oversee comprehensive recruiting strategies for attorneys (lateral entry-level and summer associates) and professional staff.
Partner with practice group leaders hiring partners and department heads to assess talent needs and ensure optimal staffing.
Build and maintain strong relationships with law schools recruiters and professional associations to attract top-tier candidates.
Ensure a seamless and inclusive candidate experience from outreach through onboarding and integration.
Oversee recruitment budgets metrics and performance reporting to support data-driven decisions.

Professional Development & Retention

Collaborate with firm leadership and practice group leaders to design and implement professional development mentorship and training programs that promote career growth for attorneys and staff.
Drive attorney and staff retention strategies including career pathing recognition programs and engagement initiatives.
Support succession planning internal mobility and advancement opportunities across all levels of the firm.

Staff Management Employee Relations & Engagement

Provide strategic oversight of employee relations and ensure a positive productive and inclusive workplace culture.
Guide and support the Director of Human Resources in managing staff performance employee relations matters compliance with employment laws and policies and benefits.
Partner with Director of Human resources to design initiatives that promote staff engagement well-being and retention.
Function as a trusted advisor to attorneys and staff on sensitive personnel matters conflict resolution and policy interpretation.

Performance Management & Compensation

Oversee consistent and transparent evaluation and review processes for all attorneys and staff.
Partner with firm leadership to align performance metrics promotion criteria and compensation structures with the firms strategic goals and values.
Monitor market compensation benefit trends and make recommendations to maintain competitive positioning.

Culture Inclusion & Collaboration

Collaborate with firm committees and leadership to strengthen the firms culture of respect inclusion and collaboration to deliver the best possible service to our clients and each other.
Lead firmwide engagement and communication initiatives that enhance connection and alignment.
Support and advance the firms diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) objectives through intentional programs policies and partnerships.

Qualifications

Experience: 715 years of progressive experience in talent management legal recruiting professional development or human resources within a law firm or professional services environment. Prior leadership experience overseeing multiple functional teams strongly preferred.
Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.) preferred; bachelors degree required.
Skills and Attributes:
- Proven leadership and strategic planning abilities.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization.
- Excellent judgment discretion and emotional intelligence.
- Ability to balance high-level strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
- Commitment to fostering inclusion collaboration and professional growth for all firm members.

Job ID: 256

Required Experience:

Exec

Position Overview Varnum LLP a Michigan-based full-service law firm with over 200 attorneys and six officeshas an opening for a Senior Director of Talentin ourGrand Rapidsoffice directly overseeing the Director of Human Resources and Director of Attorney Recruiting and Professional Development.This ...