The Professional Development Manager (“PDM”) is primarily responsible for developing and implementing training and professional development initiatives and opportunities for the Firm’s attorneys. This position requires initiative, follow through, and someone who takes ownerships of initiatives and projects and serves as a thought leader within the industry and firm. The PDM is member of the Professional Development department and assists with the management, planning, and coordination of the department’s training and development initiatives, serving as a primary contact and providing necessary support to all professional development functions.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:  

The PDM reports directly to the Director of Professional Development. This is a highly visible position, and as such, entails frequent interaction and collaboration with all legal and business services.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess current and ongoing training and development needs of attorneys based on practice group and experience levels in collaboration with the PD Director.
• As needed, update and revise the associate competency model in collaboration with the PD Director. Also, develop partner competency model as firm leadership prioritizes this project.
• Update and revise, as needed, the overall professional development and training curriculum for attorneys.
• Identify potential instructors within the Firm to develop and teach programs in practice areas not currently covered by practice group managers and directors; including programs for clients.
• Oversee the delivery of attorney training at firm wide, department, practice group, and matter specific levels. Delivery includes reviewing content and collecting other program information from presenters; serving as a liaison for multiple offices; and ensuring effective marketing of programs to invitees. Oversight includes ensuring coordinators effectively and efficiently handle invitee communication and response management; document reproduction; technology coordination; catering; location logistics; CLE compliance.
• Develop and manage the delivery of Fried Frank University programming the Business Development Training Series, and other similarly significant programs.
• Assess the efficacy of programs and initiatives and recommend changes and improvements.
• Develop and maintain the Fried Frank E-Learning Center for attorneys, as well as supplemental quick-training resources. Monitor compliance with completion of learning tracks.
• Assist in the Firm’s annual and mid-year evaluation processes, create the evaluation timeline, update processes, monitor practice group processes, and assist with other necessary components of the feedback delivery process.
• Oversee attorney training at external educational providers. Includes building and maintaining relationships; seminar registration and confirmation; attorney expense report approval.
• Monitor, manage, and facilitate the partner and associate mentoring programs.
• Oversee the CLE function with the support of the PD assistant.
• Oversee the maintenance of the firm’s New York accredited provider status and the preparation of the year-end New York CLE compliance report, including collating and preparing data summary, identifying specific internal coursework for review by the NY CLE Board, and creating final version for submission.
• Oversee tracking of professional development programs and initiatives delivered for attorneys and business professionals.
• Develop and maintain expertise for the Firm, including monitoring and understanding innovative training and development initiatives within and outside the legal industry.
• Assist in annual budgeting process.
• Monitor and manage the internal legal, external legal, and Fried Frank University attorney training budgets.
• Help manage the annual associate American Lawyer and Vault Surveys.

SECONDARY:

• Help facilitate PD event delivery and coordination with other PD department staff.
• Work on special projects.
• Supervise department coordinators and assistants to ensure effective execution of their deliverables.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree.

Experience:  5 years professional development experience. 

Skills and Abilities:  Effective communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to think strategically and analytically and solve problems creatively. Ability to act in a professional manner at all times. Ability to handle and prioritize multiple assignments.  Ability to work under pressure with interruptions and tight deadlines. Ability to use independent judgment, problem solve, take initiative, and follow through. Ability to get work done through others, as well as collaborate effectively across departments, roles, and experience levels. Must be detail-oriented and demonstrate strong writing and organizational skills, supported by a high degree of accuracy.

Technological Skills:  Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. Internet research and database skills required. Knowledge of learning management systems, Micron CE Manager and viDesktop a plus.

About Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver, & Jacobson LLP

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP advises the world's leading corporations, investment funds and financial institutions on their most critical legal needs and business opportunities. The firm's more than 650 lawyers are based in North America, the UK and Europe.

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