Demo

Professional Development Manager - Transactions Legal Practice

McDermott Will & Schulte
Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 11/26/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 12/24/2025
Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,750 lawyers and 3,200 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With Us, You’ll Find

  • A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!
  • Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
  • Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.
  • Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description

The Manager of Professional Development develops, coordinates and facilitates transactional practice group training, curricula, in-person summits and program content. This position combines transactional law expertise with the ability to design, deliver and evaluate training programs tailored to the development needs of associates at all levels in all transactional affinity groups. The Manager of Professional Development works closely with the professional development team and practice group leaders to assess substantive learning needs, design training strategy and ensure that programming is aligned with the firm’s goals and evolving market and legal trends.

As Professional Development Manager (Transactions) You Will

  • Liaise with practice group leaders, practice group directors, partners in charge of training and development partners to identify associate training needs aligned to competencies and practice priorities
  • Design and oversee implementation of transactional training curricula, including specialized curricula by level, practice and function, incorporating digital and in-person experiential learning opportunities
  • Continuously evaluate and update training competencies and curricula to ensure they remain relevant, practical and innovative
  • Distill associate performance review feedback into action
  • Design and lead needs assessment and training impact focus groups and surveys; analyze results and use information to inform training priorities
  • Leverage technology platforms and learning analytics to deliver and assess training innovation and impact
  • Support new and lateral onboarding and integration of transactional attorneys
  • Manage and train direct report(s) and other junior professional development team members

Job Specifications

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Transactional legal practice experience required
  • At least four (4) years of experience in professional development, training and/or organizational development in a law firm or other professional service environment
  • Ability to travel for work
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills; ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities
  • Ability to handle and maintain confidential information
  • Strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated ability to be effective in both a group and one-on-one setting
  • Team player with experience working in virtual teams and excellent interpersonal skills
  • Juris Doctorate (JD) is preferred

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.

Target Hiring Range $131,000 - $194,000

Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWE provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

As part of our ongoing commitment to be #AlwaysBetter for our people, clients and communities, we have created a culture of belonging that champions your individuality as both a person and a professional. From our competitive compensation, top benefits and award-winning professional development programs to industry-leading wellness initiatives, we support you through every stage of your life and career. With McDermott, you can live a life you love both in and outside of the office.

#Transactions #Transactional #AmLaw100 #AttorneyDevelopment #JurisDoctor

Physical Demands And Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear
  • Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.

Salary : $131,000 - $194,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Professional Development Manager - Transactions Legal Practice?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Professional Development Manager - Transactions Legal Practice career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$82,960 - $101,869
Income Estimation: 
$109,795 - $151,940
Income Estimation: 
$100,905 - $134,805
Income Estimation: 
$117,059 - $151,769
Income Estimation: 
$155,672 - $214,140
Income Estimation: 
$131,462 - $182,644
Income Estimation: 
$167,377 - $238,713
Income Estimation: 
$174,085 - $240,052
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at McDermott Will & Schulte

McDermott Will & Schulte
Hired Organization Address Atlanta, GA Full Time
Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm tha...
McDermott Will & Schulte
Hired Organization Address Atlanta, GA Full Time
Job Description McDermott Will & Emery LLP is a leading international law firm with a diversified business practice repr...
McDermott Will & Schulte
Hired Organization Address San Francisco, CA Full Time
Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better . McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm th...
McDermott Will & Schulte
Hired Organization Address Chicago, IL Full Time
Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better . McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm th...

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Professional Development Manager - Transactions Legal Practice jobs in the Chicago, IL area that may be a better fit.

Business Development & Marketing Manager

Legal & Professional Services Council, Chicago, IL

Legal Practice Specialist - Transactions

McDermott Will & Schulte, Chicago, IL

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!