Professional Development Manager

Professional Development Manager

Human Resources - Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid)

Role Summary

We are currently recruiting a Professional Development Manager. Reporting to and working closely with the Firm's Director of Legal Talent and the Talent Committee, you will help with building a vibrant community of legal professionals. You will be responsible for the articling and summer student programs, including performance management and career development for the students.

Alongside the Director of Legal Talent, you will manage the 2L student recruitment process, which involves being the liaison with both internal stakeholders at the firm (interviewers and Talent Committee), the candidates, and external stakeholders at the various law schools. You will also manage the Law Clerks, Conveyancers, and Planners, including recruitment, on-boarding, and performance management.

You will be closely involved in the day-to-day professional development and management of our Level 1 Associates (typically associates in their first three years of call) and other aspects of our associate program, including lateral associate recruitment, on-boarding, career development, performance management, and engagement.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make an impact across every part of our Firm, helping to select and integrate our new students, Associates, and Law Clerks; assist with developing our professional development programs; and working with our professional community to maximize every individual's potential.

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity with core work hours of Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are currently operating a hybrid work model, and the successful candidate will be required to work in the office a minimum of three (3) days per week.

Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end student recruitment process for student programs, including career fairs and other recruitment events, resume screening, virtual on campus interviews, in-firm interviews, selection, and the offer process.
• Manage the student experience at WeirFoulds from the time of hire to the end of their articles, including their onboarding, orientation and training, performance management, workflow, mentoring, social events, student program website etc.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with law schools acting as the Firm’s ambassador or first point of contact to the schools.
• In conjunction with the Director of Legal Talent, develop associate and student programs, processes and policies that will attract, retain, and develop talent.
• Lateral associate and law clerk recruitment.
• Assist with associate professional development and training programs.
• Work in close collaboration with the Director of Legal Talent to assist in the annual associate performance evaluation process and associate compensation review process.
• Conduct exit interviews with all departing students and associates and report to the Firm's leadership on findings, common themes and make recommendations for improvements, including retention initiatives.
• Other Talent projects and duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• At least three years of experience working as a lawyer as well as demonstrated experience in the above areas.
• Leadership capability, initiative, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated interest in recruitment, development of people.
• Strong strategic planning and project management skills.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated, flexible, able to work in a fast-paced environment and able to prioritize.
• Skilled at networking and able to build credibility and confidence at all levels.
• Experience with recruitment technology and social media.
• Demonstrated commitment to privacy and ethical conduct.

This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Candidates who meet the above qualifications are asked to apply online with a copy of their resume and cover letter attached (preferably together in a single file).

The target salary range for this position is $110,000 - $140,000, commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications.