Director of Professional Development

Director of Professional Development to join the St. Louis office.

Position Summary

The Director of Professional Development is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing the firm's attorney and paralegal development strategy across all offices and practice groups. This position provides leadership for attorney training, mentoring, performance management support, CLE compliance, leadership development, lateral integration, career advancement programs, and succession-related talent development initiatives.

Working closely with Firm leadership, Practice Group Leaders, Human Resources, BELONG, and Marketing/Business Development, the Director ensures that attorneys at every career stage receive the resources, training, and support necessary to achieve professional excellence, strengthen client relationships, and advance the firm's strategic objectives.

The Director serves as a key advisor to Firm leadership regarding attorney performance, engagement, retention, promotion readiness, leadership development, and workforce planning.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive attorney professional development strategy aligned with the firm's strategic plan.
• Establish annual goals, priorities, and performance metrics for professional development initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging trends in legal education, attorney talent development, and attorney engagement and retention.
• Partner with Firm leadership on attorney talent management, succession planning, and long-term workforce development initiatives.
• Prepare periodic reports and presentations for the Executive Committee, Governing Board, and Practice Group Leaders regarding development programs and outcomes.

Attorney Training and Development:

• Design and oversee attorney training programs from onboarding through partnership.
• Develop structured curriculum for associates, counsel, partners, lateral attorneys and paralegals.
• Coordinate substantive legal education, business development training, client service training, leadership programs, and professional skills development.
• Ensure training offerings align with practice-specific competencies and promotion expectations.
• Identify opportunities to leverage internal subject matter experts and external educational resources.
• Develop and support programming for summer associate program.

Attorney Mentoring and Career Development:

• Direct the firm's attorney mentoring programs.
• Develop and maintain mentoring frameworks, mentor training, and accountability measures.
• Support individual career planning and professional development goal setting.
• Assist attorneys in identifying growth opportunities and career advancement pathways.
• Foster a culture of coaching, feedback, continuous learning, and professional engagement.

Attorney Performance Management:

• Collaborate with Practice Group Leaders and Human Resources to support attorney evaluation processes.
• Oversee attorney review systems, competency models, and development plans.
• Monitor progress toward partnership readiness and career advancement milestones.
• Provide career guidance regarding performance improvement and lead developmental coaching initiatives.
• Analyze attorney performance trends and identify areas requiring additional support or training.

CLE and Professional Compliance:

• Oversee firmwide Continuing Legal Education (CLE) compliance programs.
• Monitor compliance across multiple jurisdictions and maintain related reporting systems.
• Coordinate and lead accredited educational programming and maintain relationships with accrediting agencies.
• Manage attorney licensure tracking and associated compliance requirements.
• Establish policies and procedures related to professional development funding and educational reimbursements.

Attorney Integration and Retention:

• Develop onboarding and integration programs for new associates, lateral attorneys, and incoming partners.
• Partner with Recruiting and Human Resources to ensure successful transitions and long-term retention.
• Monitor attorney engagement and identify factors impacting retention and career satisfaction.
• Establish programs that strengthen collaboration across offices and practice groups.

Program Administration:

• Manage the Professional Development department budget and educational resources.
• Oversee learning management systems, CLE tracking platforms, and development technology.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through data, participant feedback, retention metrics, and performance outcomes.
• Recommend process improvements and innovative approaches to learning and development.

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Supervise Professional Development team members and related staff.
• Establish department goals, performance standards, and service expectations.
• Foster collaboration among Professional Development, Human Resources, Recruiting, BELONG, and Practice Group Leadership.
• Participate in strategic planning initiatives and cross-functional leadership projects.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Firm leadership regarding attorney development matters.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) required.
• Advanced degree in organizational development, education, human resources, leadership, or related field is a plus.

Experience:

• 8+ years of progressive professional development, attorney development, legal education, talent management, human resources, or law firm leadership experience.
• Experience within a large law firm, professional services organization, or legal department strongly preferred.
• Experience designing and implementing attorney training and leadership development programs.
• Prior supervisory and budget management experience required.

Skills and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of attorney career progression within a law firm environment.
• Knowledge of CLE accreditation processes and attorney licensing requirements.
• Strong executive presence and credibility with partners and firm leadership.
• Excellent coaching, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to influence without direct authority.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Data-driven approach to measuring talent and development outcomes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced professional services environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.