Professional Development Manager

Colleen Peterson

Human Resources Generalist

Department: Professional Development

Job Number: 100409

Offices: New York; Tampa; Albany; Boston; Chicago; Orange County; Sacramento; San Diego; San Francisco; Silicon Valley; Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.

With eleven offices across the United States, 450 professionals and 350 staff professionals, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm known for quality and an extraordinary commitment to clients. The firm’s groundbreaking approach—bringing together legal services, advocacy and business strategy—differentiates Manatt from its competitors and positions the firm to provide a unique and compelling value proposition.

Are you ready to launch your career in a dynamic, forward-thinking professional services firm? Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP is seeking a passionate Professional Development Manager to join our growing Professional Development team! This position can be based in any of our offices. In this role, you’ll work at the heart of our nationally recognized firm, supporting innovative training and performance initiatives for our talented professionals. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are eager to make a meaningful impact from day one, we invite you to become part of Manatt’s commitment to excellence and professional growth.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Director of Professional Development, Legal, and practice group leaders to design and execute training programs for attorneys and business professionals.

• Lead the planning and execution of practice group training initiatives, including designing annual curricula and overseeing the delivery of core programs.

• Design, develop, manage, and execute interactive mock-style trainings (e.g., mock trials, corporate simulations) in partnership with the Director and team.

• Create and deliver orientation programming for summer associates, first-year associates, counsel, and partners with the Director and team.

• Collaborate with other Manatt departments to develop and execute relevant programming.

• Develop and implement leveled training programs, academies, and professional skills curricula in collaboration with the Director and team.

• Conduct research and stay informed on emerging trends and best practices in legal and professional services training.

• Cultivate relationships with outside speakers and vendors, and make recommendations as needed.

• Meet with new lateral associates and partners and conduct welcome programming (including individual PD orientations).

• Develop a deep working knowledge of the LMS and CLE system and have a general understanding of the CLE rules in the states where Manatt has offices; use LMS to build training tracks as needed.

• Oversee the strategic direction and administration of attorney mentoring programs, including developing and implementing communications, training initiatives, and related programming and events.

• Conduct surveys and analyze results to identify training and professional development needs.

• Support the Director and Performance Management team in refreshing and maintaining competency frameworks.

• Proactively contribute ideas to enhance CLE and training initiatives.

• Work with the Director to manage the budget and expenses.

• Assist with general Professional Development and CLE projects as needed.

• Assist with performance management and advancement projects on occasion.

• Supervise junior team members.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree required; J.D. Preferred

• At least five (5) years legal experience in a professional services firm

• Prior experience working with CLE tracking systems or databases

• Exceptional attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and a results-driven mindset; outstanding project management skills required for high-accuracy work

• Proven capacity to manage and adapt to multiple competing priorities

• Willingness to travel as needed for firmwide training programs

• Comfortable working across teams and departments; strong relationship-building skills

• Excellent client service orientation and problem-solving capabilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to exercise discretion and handle confidential information

• Strong interpersonal skills as a relationship builder who can flex work style and adapt to the styles of others and work across teams

• Demonstrated leadership and team-building skills, including planning, organizing, decision-making, and problem-solving; ability to lead multiple teams and workstreams

• Solid understanding of project management principles; proven ability to develop, implement, and manage large-scale, long-term initiatives

• Strong judgment and discretion in decision-making processes

• Strong self-initiative with an eagerness to learn, roll up sleeves, and pitch in

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with a positive can-do attitude

• Advanced use of computer programs including Microsoft Office – especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

The base annual pay range for this role is between $135,000-$165,000. The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience, location. A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER/Veterans/Disabled

Manatt is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex or gender (including gender identity, gender expression, status as a transgender or transsexual individual, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (over 40), genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, sexual orientation, political activity or affiliation, genetic or and any other protected classes or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the American Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.

This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment.

Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid, this employer uses E-Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that your employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).