Professional Development Specialist

State: TX Remote/WFH? Flexible Phelps Dunbar New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 United States Phelps Dunbar is seeking a Professional Development Specialist in one of our regional offices. The Professional Development Specialist plays a key role in supporting the growth and success of the firm’s lawyer population. Reporting to the Director of Professional Development, this position will contribute to a broad range of professional development initiatives — from onboarding & integration, learning & development, performance management, and employee engagement. As a newly created role within a lean, collaborative department, this position is ideal for someone who thrives in an environment where they can help shape programs from the ground up, and who brings a high degree of adaptability and flexibility, understanding that programs, processes, and priorities are still being developed and refined. This position can sit in any office, with a preference for Birmingham, Texas, New Orleans, Raleigh or Tampa. All office locations include Alabama: Birmingham, Mobile Onboarding & Integration Together with the Director of Professional Development and other internal departments, continuously assess onboarding and integration processes to reflect best practices and the evolving needs of the firm’s legal talent Assist with the coordination of integration and onboarding experiences for new associates, lateral lawyers, and newly promoted partners by developing and maintaining onboarding materials and managing logistics Learning & Development Together with the Director of Professional Development, assess lawyer needs and support implementation of the firm’s training curriculum Identify and promote opportunities for both internal and external training programs, including on-demand learning offerings Contribute to the creation of resources that support career progression Manage PD content and resources on the firm’s intranet site Performance Management Support the management of formal and informal performance feedback processes for salaried lawyers, including year-end reviews and ongoing feedback initiatives Manage logistics of the annual performance review process, including setting timelines and facilitating participation Leverage AI tools to summarize feedback at scale, analyze themes and trends, and craft meaningful developmental messages Contribute to the development of resources that help lawyers and their supervisors engage in meaningful and productive performance conversations at every stage of the career lifecycle Employee Engagement Support the firm’s lawyer mentoring program, assisting with program design, participant matching, communication, and ongoing coordination Develop program resources, track engagement, and recommend enhancements based on participant feedback and industry best practices Analyze feedback from exit interviews to identify trends and opportunities for improving lawyer engagement and retention Requirements Four to six years of professional development, recruiting, human resources, or business development/marketing experience, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment Ability to travel to other offices as needed Qualifications Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify themes and trends from data and translate findings into actionable insights Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple initiatives with limited supervision Proficiency with AI tools and a proactive approach to integrating emerging technology into day-to-day work A genuine commitment to the development of others, paired with an equally strong drive for personal and professional growth A collaborative and proactive approach, with a desire to grow and take on increasing responsibility over time Willing to pitch in on a range of tasks, including administrative support, as needs arise #J-18808-Ljbffr