Practice Group Talent Manager, North America Transactional

Description

The Practice Group Talent Manager, North America Transactional will support the North America Transactional Group (NA Transactional), working collaboratively with the NA Transactional Practice Group Leaders (PGLs) and the PG Business Manager (BM). This role aims to accelerate practice group and individual lawyer performance and development, aligned with North America's strategic direction, vision, and values in a highly matrixed organization. This role uniquely encompasses the performance of paralegals, associates, and income partners.

While this position will primarily support a practice group, it will also help some regional (North American) activities. The PG TM team works together to ensure the processes and programs that support the lawyers in NA are effective, current, and supportive of the high-performing culture at Baker McKenzie.

The role-holder will be a key member of the PG TM team, assisting with the deployment and coordination of the NA mentoring program and various surveys for associates. They will be expected to work collaboratively with regional teams across other functions in North America, including recruiting, human resources, mobility, ID&E, leadership & learning, other regional practice group talent managers, and office administration, as necessary to support the Transactional practice group and its members. They will operate as a Talent Management business professional for the PGLs and BM, understanding the strategic needs of their people and coordinating with the appropriate business professionals to execute.

Responsibilities:

Performance Management:

• Support and coordinate the annual performance review and mid-year check-ins for NA Transactional attorneys and paralegals
• Work with the PGLs and the BM to identify and implement solutions and programs for underperforming as well as high-potential talent on a routine and ongoing basis throughout calendar and fiscal years
• Coach partners on associate performance issues
• Coach associates on career and development issues
• Sit in on performance review meetings when appropriate
• Escalate high-risk or employee relations situations to Human Resource Managers

Matriculation:

• Support and coordinate the promotion process from Associate to National Partner/Counsel, working with the Business Manager for the practice group to compile materials for candidates
• Advise on the annual matriculation process for Associates advancing class years

Talent Mapping:

• Facilitate discussions with PGLs to support the talent mapping/pipeline process
• Identify learning and training needs of the practice group and liaise with knowledge management to obtain the training

Integration:

• Serve as a key liaison to support and facilitate integration of lateral partners, associates, and incoming first-year associates
• Develop and coordinate a one-year integration plan for lateral partners
• Oversee ramping up and down of attorneys from temporary departures/leaves of absence

Career Development:

• Coordinate nomination for internal and external programs, assess and identify lawyer training needs, and address them in partnership with PGL & Leadership and Learning team
• Lead regional career conversations program focusing on high-level conversations between attorneys and firm leaders to support desired career path
• Work with knowledge management to ensure practice-specific training is appropriate and well-attended

Coaching and Counseling:

• Provide individual career development coaching and counseling sessions, and work with individuals on their development plans and business plans
• Coach attorneys through performance issues

Onboarding:

• Host practice group orientations for the lawyers and be available as a resource
• Liaise with other functional teams to support new joiners in learning firm tools, technology, operations, and strategies

Mentoring:

• Facilitate mentoring program logistics for NA Transactional
• Coordinate annual regional associate integration mentoring program for North America

Mobility:

• Liaise with Global Mobility and office-based Human Resources on mobility request

Organizational Development:

• Follow-up on internal feedback surveys and campaigns; focus on improving engagement
• Close coordination with office-based Human Resources to support the PGLs and BM on people-related issues
• Other duties as assigned

Skills and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree focusing on Talent, Professional Development, Organizational Development, Management, or other related areas preferred; or a JD and experience in a large law firm;
• Law firm or professional services experience required
• Extensive experience in Talent Management in a professional services environment across multiple locations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail; fluent written and spoken English is required
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and drive results with a sense of urgency in setting strategies and executing against the objectives
• Proven ability to influence, interact, and consult with senior leaders, strong collaboration skills, and effective stakeholder management
• Strong coaching, counseling, business acumen, and overall communication skills
• Knowledge of and involvement in the larger professional development/talent management community is a plus
• Prioritizes collaboration and teamwork values

This position is bonus-eligible and includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)benefits based on the number of hours worked. If located in an office in one of these states (California, Illinois, New York, or Washington DC), the US base compensation for this position is expected to be in the range $155k - $220k. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.