Professional Development Manager - Based in Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, or Novi
Varnum LLP See More Job Openings by This Employer
- Grand Rapids, MI
July 9, 2025
Job Description
Varnum LLP is seeking a full-time Professional Development Manager to join our Recruiting and Professional Development team. This individual will be proactive, organized and detail-oriented, and play a key role in the development, training, mentoring, and evaluation of the firm's attorneys. This position can be based in any of the firm's Michigan offices and requires working standard business hours, although evening hours and occasional travel may be necessary depending on the time of year. It is 100% onsite, and professional services experience is required.
Duties/Responsibilities: This position is responsible for managing the firm's attorney development efforts, which includes liaising with the Associate Compensation and Retention Committee (ACRC) Chair and its members.
Attorney Development
- Collaborate with the Director of Legal Recruiting & Professional Development, the ACRC Chair, Practice Team Leaders, PMLs, ARTs, and other key partners to identify attorney training needs and performance gaps and develop a comprehensive training program relevant to Varnum attorneys, i.e., exemplifies the Varnum culture, and addresses those needs and gaps. This may include utilizing both internal and external training resources.
- Manage and facilitate the firm's annual attorney evaluation process, six-month evaluation process, and all interim evaluation process as needed, including:
- Attending practice team discussion meetings regarding associate performance.
- Review and update evaluation processes and forms and interface with the performance management system provider to implement changes.
- Preparing and distributing performance evaluations.
- Collaborate with the Director of Legal Recruiting & Professional Development, the ACRC Chair, Practice Team Leaders, PMLs, ARTs, and other key partners to identify and develop associate retention efforts, including:
- Conduct annual associate satisfaction surveys.
- Plan and execute the bi-annual associate retreat.
- Plan and execute all other associate morale events.
- Partner with firm leadership to draft and manage Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) for associates, including drafting individualized plans, tracking progress, and supporting ongoing performance conversations in a confidential and constructive manner.
- Monitor associate workload and hours.
- Manage associate mentor programs, including the development of mentor/mentee guidelines and first year associate mentor teams.
- Document, implement, and manage all reduced hours arrangements and alternative work schedules.
- Maintain all relevant associate policies and collaborate with the Director of Legal Recruiting & Professional Development, the ACRC Chair, Practice Team Leaders, PMLs, ARTs, and other key partners to revise/update as needed.
- Manage the new and lateral attorney bar admission process.
- Maintain relevant attorney records/data and respond to survey requests as needed. Monitor market/industry compensation trends.
- Provide administrative support for various firm committees, employee resource and working groups, and other strategic initiatives as needed, including the Associate Compensation and Retention Committee and the Varnum Women’s Forum.
Lateral Attorney Onboarding, Integration, and Offboarding
- Develop, manage, and facilitate the firm’s lateral attorney onboarding (LANDing Team) process; collaborate with the Director of Legal Recruiting & Professional Development and other key partners to develop a comprehensive integration program relevant to lateral attorneys.
- Serve as a resource for new lateral attorney hires during their integration period with the firm.
- Facilitate the attorney offboarding and departure process, including conducting associate exit interviews and coordinating logistics alongside other administrative teams.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Professional demeanor and ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.
- Strong working knowledge of ATS platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and Microsoft Teams.
- Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree or JD a plus.
- Professional services experience required.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in attorney professional development, law firm talent management, or another professional services industry.
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