Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP is seeking a Professional Development Manager, who will be a key member of its Talent Management Team. The Professional Development Manager is responsible for the ownership, administration, and continuous improvement of assigned attorney development programs and initiatives. This role serves as the primary program owner for designated training programs, managing all aspects of the program lifecycle from planning and curriculum development through delivery, evaluation, and ongoing enhancement.
Working closely with the Senior Manager of Professional Development, the Professional Development Manager collaborates with partners, practice group leaders, subject matter experts, and firm leadership to deliver high-impact learning experiences that support attorney growth, engagement, and career progression.
The ideal candidate combines strong program management skills, strategic thinking, relationship-building abilities, and a passion for professional development within a professional services environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Partner closely with the Senior Manager of Professional Development on strategic priorities and annual planning.
- Own and manage assigned attorney development programs through evaluation, including training calendars, schedules, and program budgets.
- Develop annual program plans, timelines, budgets, and communication strategies.
- Oversee all aspects of assigned programs, including curriculum planning, faculty engagement, participant communications, registration, delivery, and post-program assessment.
- Ensure a consistent, high-quality participant experience across all assigned programs.
- Build strong relationships with partners, practice group leadership, attorneys, and administrative stakeholders. Partner with all to refine program content.
- Conduct needs assessments and identify opportunities for new programming or curriculum enhancements.
- Research industry trends, emerging skill needs, and best practices in attorney development and adult learning. Recommend innovative learning approaches, including in-person, virtual, on-demand, and experiential learning solutions.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned programs.
- Facilitate planning meetings and guide program discussions to achieve meaningful outcomes.
- Collaborate with Recruiting, Talent Management, Administration, Client Development, Knowledge Management, and other departments to support development initiatives.
- Track participation, engagement, and program outcomes. Analyze survey results and participant feedback.
- Contribute to the continued growth and evolution of the firm's attorney development function.
- Provide backup support for select departmental processes as needed.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: - Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or relevant professional certification preferred.
- Minimum five (5) years of experience in professional development, attorney development, learning and development, talent management, training, higher education administration, project management, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex programs, projects, or initiatives from planning through execution.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience developing curricula, learning paths, and evaluation methodologies.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to client service excellence.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment.
COMPENSATION: The national average salary range for this role is $89,000 - $143,000. Starting salary will be determined based on location, qualifications, and experience.
BENEFITS: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, Life insurance, Disability Insurance, Paid Parental Leave, 401(k) Plan, Paid Days Off/Vacation, Firm Paid Holidays
Colorado candidates are not required to submit age-related information and may redact any personally identifiable information on their application materials including but are not limited to age, date of birth, and dates of attendance and date of graduation for educational institutions. This position does not have a fixed deadline. The posting will remain open until the position is filled and all necessary due diligence has been completed for the selected candidate.
