What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Professional Development position at Allen & Overy?

Job description

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Department Purpose and Structure

The HR team at A&O Shearman provides a first-class service to the business, offering strategic HR business advice at the business partner level and quality support services in the full range of HR functions through specialist teams such as, learning & development, resourcing, reward, employee relations advice, diversity and inclusion, payroll, systems and HR administration.

Role Purpose

Based in New York, this position is a key member of the U.S. HR and global Talent & Development teams and provides strategic counsel in the areas of training, integration, development, and wellbeing.

Key Relationships

Chief Human Resources Officer - Americas
Professional Development and broader HR team
US Associates, Counsel, and Partners
US Business Professionals
Global Talent & Development and Knowledge teams
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team
External vendors and coaches

Role and Responsibilities

Lead the fee-earner and business professional training initiatives and programs in the US, including Practice Group training, Business Skills programs, First Year Associate training, Wellbeing, and other training programs across all offices in the Americas.

Acts as a key member of the global Talent & Development team and with responsibility for implementing the global professional development and talent programs across the US and ensuring they are tailored to the US market.

Build strong partnerships with leaders to develop and drive the people agenda to support firm objectives.

Partnering with the global Talent & Development team, contribute to the design of global programs as well as design any additional programs required specifically for the US.

Work with fee earner and business team faculty in the US to oversee / deliver business skills programs, including the engagement of other internal and / or external faculty.

Lead various projects and processes, including employee value proposition discussions / communications, employee engagement initiatives, and coaching engagements.

Together with the Chief Human Resources Officer - Americas, lead the firm's global career performance and professional development initiative, Compass.

Develop, refine, and drive the firm's US mentoring programs, including the mentoring circles program, and talent liaison program

Identify, maintain, and refresh a roster of external consultants, trainers, and coaches who can support the delivery of programs in the US and manage these relationships.

Direct a team who manages the firm's CLE function, including maintaining our accredited provider status in NY, California, and Texas.

Oversee the onboarding and orientation of the firm's US entry-level class each fall, including the practice group placement process.

Actively engage with the HR Advisory team to ensure that development needs are assessed, and appropriate training is delivered, to meet development needs.

Collaborate with the US wellbeing partners and Wellbeing Manager to advance the firm's wellbeing initiative in the US.

Drive the firm's business development training initiative with the Marketing and Business Development department.

Coordinate with the Knowledge teams regarding legal training programs as needed.

Partner with the broader HR team, including the Recruitment, HR Transactions, and Benefits functions.

Lead, coach, and mentor a team of Professional Development and Wellbeing professionals.

Manage the the US Professional Development budget.

Key Requirements

Qualified candidates will have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and at least 12 years of experience as a Professional Development practitioner in a law firm or other professional services organization.

At least five years of people management experience.

Technical competence in all aspects of the role and responsibilities as noted above as well as training design and delivery experience.

Hands-on, self-motivated, and able to work well on their own as well as on a team.

Strong organizational skills with the proven ability to operate under pressure.

Excellent track record of working with leadership within a matrix organization.

Strong commercial / business acumen with the ability to influence strategic thinking / direction through creative and pragmatic issue resolution.

Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface with all individuals and particularly to win the respect of the senior management community and build and develop strong client relationships.

Collaborative team player with the ability to nurture others and work in a fast-paced, intellectually rigorous environment.

High energy individual who enjoys both the operational and strategic sides of this role and demonstrates great flexibility.

A person of sound judgment, able to establish a high level of credibility in the organization.

For individuals assigned to or hired for this opportunity in New York, the estimated annualized base salary range for this position is $250,000 to $275,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on the overall qualifications of the individual applicant for the position and other job-relation factors permitted by law.

Additional information - External

Equal Employment Opportunity

A&O Shearman is an equal opportunity employer. Every individual has the right to work in a professional environment that promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment. It is A&O Shearman's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals, without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status or alienage, disability, pregnancy or related medical issue, military or qualified veteran status, familial status, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, gender, including gender identity, gender expression or transition status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and / or sex offenses, sexual and reproductive health decisions, unemployment status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of an individual's relationship with A&O Shearman, including, without limitation, recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, compensation, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

If you are vision-impaired or have another disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law and wish to discuss accommodations related to applying for employment at A&O Shearman, please contact US HR Transactions at US-HRTransactions@aoshearman.com or call 1 212 610 6300 and ask for HR Transactions.

Salary : $250,000 - $275,000

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