Professional Development Manager

Katten is a fullservice law firm with approximately 650 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

Professional Development Manager

Under the direction of the Director of Professional Development and Well-Being, the Professional Development Manager (“PDM”) is responsible for managing a full range of professional development (“PD”) programs, processes, and initiatives attorneys at the firm. In addition to these core responsibilities, this position serves in a leading role on the firm’s non-partner lawyer evaluation process, working closely with the Director and other Professional Development Managers on the non-partner lawyer evaluation process.

This position supports the Litigation Department and leads the firm's Mock Trial Advocacy Program, Mock Deposition Training Program, and Litigation Fundamentals Series. Additional departments and practice groups will be assigned.

The PDM will engage Department Heads, Practice Group Leaders, Chiefs, Directors, and other firm management with developing lawyers to their highest potential. The PDM will also design and implement substantive and skills-based curricula, and support milestone events. The PDM collaborates with the Talent, Practice Management, Marketing & Business Development, and other administrative teams to develop effective programs that positively contribute to staff and attorney development, retention, and progression. The Professional Development Manager maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and firm matters.

The Professional Development Manager can be located in our New York, Chicago, or Dallas offices. Katten offers a hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely on a regular basis (KattenFlex). This role will require working onsite a couple days a month or on an as needed basis due to PD-related events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following. Other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the position. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Training and Development Initiatives:

• Responsible for the selection, development, and execution of training and development initiatives for lawyers.
• Partner with management to analyze performance gaps, identify needs, and present recommendations for training and development.
• Plan, design, and implement training programs in alignment with the firm's Lawyer Success Factors and Associate Competency Frameworks and to meet the objectives of the Department / Practice Group.

Department / Practice Group Support:

• Partner with department heads, practice group leaders, and talent development partners to assess and support the professional development needs of lawyers within assigned practice groups.
• Manage and deliver tailored mentoring programs, training initiatives, coaching opportunities, and other development resources to support the growth, retention, and success of attorneys.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to practice group leadership, leveraging insights and best practices to foster an environment that prioritizes learning, engagement, and career progression.

Milestone Events / Department Training Events:

• The PDM will design and implement Firmwide Academies and other practice group/department specific training programs, including the firm’s Mock Trial Advocacy Program and Mock Deposition Training Program, that align with the firms strategic goals and support the growth and progression of lawyers and staff at key career stages.

Performance Evaluations:

Evaluation Process Management:

• Serve in a managing role in the design, implementation, communication, and execution of the firm's non-partner lawyer evaluation processes.
• Partner with the PD team on the redesign of the evaluation framework and on the selection, configuration, testing, and rollout of a new evaluation system.
• Develop communications, guidance materials, and training to ensure reviewers and lawyers understand the process, tools, and expectations.

Process Administration:

• Manage the administration of the evaluation process, including scheduling, monitoring completion, quality control of written feedback, preparation of review messaging, and facilitation of the delivery of formal reviews.
• Produce reporting for firm and practice group leadership and identify trends that inform curricula, coaching, and retention strategy.
• Advise partners on specific and sensitive performance-related situations and coach lawyers on implementing the feedback they receive.

Individual Development Plans and Performance Improvement Plans:

• Support a structured IDP process for lawyers in assigned practice groups, working with individuals to translate evaluation feedback and competency expectations into concrete goals and measurable milestones, with follow-up throughout the year.
• Collaborate with the Talent Management team on the development, documentation, and monitoring of PIPs, including identifying appropriate development resources and tracking progress against defined expectations.

Career Coaching / Advising:

• For attorneys, provide individually tailored guidance in development of both near and longer-term career goals, and then provide advice and feedback on strategic plans to achieve those goals.
• Coach attorneys through the process of identifying a range of possible career options, taking into account attorney's professional and personal background, needs, goals, and preferences.

PD Intelligence:

• Keep abreast of trends in professional development for attorneys. Evaluate content and presenter effectiveness to ensure efficient delivery of content and that the topic is of interest to the firm.
• Assist Talent team on other projects, as required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises professional development staff (specialist/coordinator/assistant) and is responsible for their overall direction, coordination, and evaluation. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with firm’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and training; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; making recommendations for hiring, promotion, compensation, and termination.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree is required; a JD is highly preferred. Five or more years of professional development experience at a law firm, law school, or other professional services firm is required. Two or more years of previous supervisory experience is required.
• Working knowledge of CLE rules and requirements and best practices regarding CLE processes and procedures. Familiarity with California, Florida, Illinois, New York, North Carolina and Texas, CLE requirements preferred.
• Comfort with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, and an interest in thoughtfully applying them to professional development programs, processes, and content in a manner consistent with firm policy.
• Advanced knowledge of Windows-based systems, particularly the Microsoft Office 2010 suite. Familiarity with viDesktop/Aderant Eval and LMS, CE Manager, and SharePoint highly desirable. Familiarity with document management systems and other legal applications highly desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Written work products are appropriate to the audience and written in a clear and concise manner that effectively gets the message across. Ability to communicate with courtesy, diplomacy, and discretion, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information, and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, firm management, clients, staff, and outside contacts, including speaking before groups of individuals.
• Excellent organizational, planning and project management skills including accuracy, record keeping, data collection and system information. Ability to compile and analyze data and furnish concise, detailed information in report format, written correspondence, e- mail or verbally.
• Highly motivated, strategic focus: ability to understand and support firm goals, services, culture and strategy to present self and the firm in a positive, professional manner. Commitment to staying informed of industry standards and best practices through professional development, to including professional reading, membership in industry groups and organizations, and participation in seminars and conferences.
• Exhibits high degree of initiative in managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, high-stressed, detail-oriented work environment. Ability to work with frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workflow.
• Dependable team player with high energy, creativity and vision who works collaboratively and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented environment. Ability to act independently within scope of the position’s responsibilities as a decision-maker and contributor on all levels.
• Encourages an atmosphere in which everyone exchanges ideas, is open to new ideas and processes, and is respected for their contributions by being helpful, approachable, and team oriented.
• Excellent analytical and technical skills requiring an aptitude for detail, precision, and logic. Proactive with excellent troubleshooting, problem resolution, and follow-through skills. Possess the ability to identify and propose resolutions to problems in a timely manner through use of resources, including asking questions, gathering facts, and reviewing records.
• Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation, or office supplies weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Must be flexible to work overtime, travel on occasion, accept tasks outside of normal job duties, and be open to assume new responsibilities if the needs of the department changes.

For the New York Office, the annualized salary range for this position is $155,000 to $175,000.

For the Chicago office, the annualized salary range is $150,000 to $170,000.

Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

We offer an outstanding benefit package which includes: medical/dental/vision, 401k with employer contribution, parental leave, transportation fringe benefit program, back-up care option, generous paid time off policy, and long-term and short-term disability policies.

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.