Practice Group Talent Manager, Dispute Resolution

The North America Dispute Resolution Group (NA Disputes) work collaboratively with the NA Disputes Practice Group Leader (PGL) 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.

While this position will primarily support a practice group, it will also help with some regional (North American) activities, including the regional Associate Committee and regional professional development programs; such as RISE, a sponsorship program focused on a particular cohort group. 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. The individual also will act as a liaison across the Americas region to facilitate communication and alignment for Mexico and Latin America Disputes practices. 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 Disputes practice group and its members. They will operate as a Talent Management business professional for the PGL and BM, understanding the strategic needs of their people and coordinating with the appropriate business professionals to execute.

Main responsibilities

Performance Management:

• Support and coordinate the annual performance review and mid-year check-ins for NA Disputes;
• 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; and
• Coach partners on associate performance issues and sit in on meetings with associates to discuss improvement plans, as necessary
• 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

Timekeeper (non-partner) Recruitment:

• Coordinate with PG Business Manager to complete the business justification (“Hire Request”) and shepherd through the approval process

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 Counselling:

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

Onboarding:

• Host practice group orientations for new 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 Dispute
• Coordinate regional associate integration mentoring program for North America

Mobility:

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

Paralegal Management: Oversee, among other things,

• Time management
• Work allocation
• Professional development

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; JD or law firm experience preferred
• Extensive experience in Talent Management, preferably in a professional services environment
• Experience working across multiple locations and jurisdictions
• 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, counselling, business acumen, and overall communication skills
• Knowledge of and involvement in the larger professional development/talent management community a plus
• Prioritizes collaboration and teamwork values

Location: Any Baker McKenzie Office in the US or Canada

Reports to: Director of Talent Management, NA

Travel requirements: Some travel is required.

Position type: Regional

Development framework: Manager