Associate Director of Associate Development (Corporate)

Associate Director of Associate Development (Corporate)

Cooley is seeking an Associate Director of Associate Development to join the Associate Development Management team and support the Corporate department.

Position summary: The Associate Director of Associate Development (Corporate) will work with the Director of Associate Development, practice group leaders, and department chair to support associate development initiatives in assigned department/practice groups, with focus on associate integration, engagement, work allocation, productivity, and performance management. The Associate Director will lead the Associate Development Managers (ADMs) for their assigned department/practice groups, ensuring they have the resources, tools, information, and support needed to do their jobs with excellence. Specific duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Position responsibilities:

Talent Support

• Track associate utilization and productivity across assigned department/practices, facilitating cross-staffing when/where possible to load balance and drive productivity
• Monitor the talent pipeline across the assigned department/practices, tracking hiring and attrition data, assisting in the development of hiring targets, and participating in exit interviews, sharing key takeaways with department/practice group leadership and helping to develop actionable recommendations
• Develop and maintain practice group reports and tools, including, as applicable, organizational charts, email distribution lists, benchmarks, experience and competency surveys
• Support the performance review process of associates within assigned department/practice groups, with particular emphasis on promoting and driving real-time feedback and supporting quarterly talent reviews
• Support the development and execution of practice-specific talent initiatives and department meetings if applicable
• Function as a liaison for other departments and business professionals (e.g., Legal Education, Practice Management, and Legal Talent)
• Other projects as directed by department chair or practice group leaders of assigned department/practice groups, Chief Legal Talent Officer, and Director of Associate Development

ADM Leadership and Support

• Support the buildout of the assigned department/practice group ADM function in Asia and UK, if applicable
• Serve as direct supervisor and mentor to direct reports
• Provide day-to-day supervision of direct reports, ensure compliance with assigned work hours and monitor for compliance with all firm and department policies. Manage staffing coverage, review and process time off requests, Provide coverage for ADM transitions, leaves and vacations, ensuring continuous delivery of associate development support for the practice group partners and attorneys
• Support professional development and continued educational opportunities by providing regular feedback and continuously seeking resources, opportunities, and stretch projects to raise their profile and build their skills
• In collaboration with immediate supervisor and central HR, participate in hiring, performance appraisals, counseling, termination and other employee lifecycle events, all while establishing a team culture of service excellence, innovation, and collegiality
• All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and experience:

Required:

• After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
• Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
• Ability to travel, as required
• 8+ years direct applicable experience (e.g., attorney development and/or broader talent management experience in a large law firm or professional services organization with 4+ years of management experience)
• Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred:

• JD Degree
• Supervisory management experience

Competencies:

• Ability to establish rapport and build relationships and credibility with internal stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal, oral (both listening and talking) and written communication skills
• Ability to respect and maintain highly sensitive or confidential information
• Excellent people management skills, to include serving as a mentor or coach
• Professional demeanor and the ability to use initiative, diplomacy and tact
• Ability to make independent judgments/decisions based on a set of principles rather than rules
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with multiple constituencies
• Detail-oriented, organized and driven, with the desire to take ownership of projects and responsibilities, but