Manager, Attorney Development - Private Equity

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from varied backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross-functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do.

Here, we’re not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.

This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward-thinking peers.

The Attorney Development Manager (ADM) drives development and engagement for associates and other timekeepers (the “Attorneys”) in their assigned cohort by providing real-time, actionable feedback, soliciting input from partners, and shepherding performance and talent decisions. Acting as a strategic advisor and talent enabler, the ADM proactively manages individual Attorney development, aligning each Attorney’s progress with the firm’s business goals and commitment to a culture of elite performance. In close partnership with firm and practice group leadership and with Practice Management, Talent, and other teams, the ADM facilitates the identification and achievement of firm strategies around hiring, integration, development, engagement, and advancement. This role combines market expertise and data-driven insights to build a high-performing, inclusive legal workforce of future leaders.

What You Will Do:

• Attorney Cohort Management: For assigned Attorneys, responsible for managing day-to-day development, performance, and engagement. 
• Onboarding & Integration: Lead the Attorney onboarding experience to ensure seamless and efficient integration into the firm’s culture, expectations, and workflows. Foster strong, trusted relationships with Attorneys through regular check-ins, career coaching, and individualized support that encourages growth and engagement and achieves retention objectives.
• Resource Allocation: Work with matter teams to align Attorney skills and interests with client work and firm priorities, ensuring meaningful assignments that foster growth. Enable well-informed staffing decisions that align the right talent with the right opportunities. Recommend staffing adjustments to both Attorneys and partners to optimize capacity and ensure broad access to learning and growth opportunities. Foster Attorney accountability by tracking assignment requests and take action to ensure Attorneys uphold high service standards. Identify and align talent with secondment opportunities with key clients to further development and client immersion.
• Development and Performance Management: Proactively gather and synthesize feedback from partners and stakeholders to inform attorney development plans, performance evaluations, and career progression. Promote awareness of firm programs and resources. Support the firm’s annual and mid-year review processes to ensure consistency and developmental impact. Facilitate bi-annual self-assessment and goal-setting processes, guiding Attorneys in aligning their professional development with the firm’s core competencies, frameworks, and long-term expectations. Partner with advisors in review meetings for Attorneys receiving significant developmental feedback to ensure alignment on expectations. Collaborate with advisors, attorney development committees, and Employee Relations to address performance issues outside of the formal review processes, ensuring clear documentation of related communications. Together with Practice Management, Coaching and Employee Relations, facilitate smooth and professional transitions from the firm.
• Strategic and Advisory Support: Collaborate with practice area leaders and partners, senior attorneys, advisors, and Practice Management to proactively identify trends, address Attorney concerns, and recommend and implement targeted development strategies directly with Attorneys in cohort. Facilitate hiring, onboarding, retention, advancement, and development for attorneys within the cohort. Partner with Recruiting and Practice Management to assess and anticipate hiring needs. Use workforce data and performance metrics to identify development gaps, forecast talent needs, and guide succession and hiring strategies. Shape role definitions, refine selection criteria, screen candidates, and deliver data-informed recommendations to leadership to support timely and effective talent hiring decisions. Manage the Advisor Program to ensure Attorneys receive consistent, high-quality guidance, feedback, and mentorship throughout their careers.
• Training: Anticipate training needs and, in consultation with partners and attorney development committees, collaborate with Learning + Professional Development and Practice Management, and subject matter experts to deliver targeted, high-impact programming and create individual learning plans for Attorneys to realize their maximum potential and build out an elite talent pipeline. Take initiative in leading, shaping, or supporting key firm initiatives to make career paths clearer and support professional growth.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration, Innovation, & Engagement:  Work closely with Talent, Learning + Professional Development, Practice Management, and others to continuously improve talent programs, policies, and processes. Lead initiatives that promote attorney engagement, inclusion, and belonging and respond to employee engagement feedback. Foster a positive, collaborative culture within the cohort and broader firm community by driving attendance and active participation at Firm trainings and events, including Associate Socials. Proactively address low engagement with Attorneys and their advisors.
• Policy Awareness and Compliance: Facilitate Attorneys’ understanding of key firm policies, practices, and procedures by emphasizing their strategic relevance and impact on professional success, firm culture, and driving compliance.

Who You Are:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree strongly preferred, with a solid foundation in legal principles and practices.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, ideally within a large law firm setting, demonstrating a deep understanding of the complexities and dynamics of the legal industry.
• Experience in legal staffing, workforce planning, or attorney development within a comparable legal or professional services environment is highly preferred, showcasing the ability to navigate and drive success in sophisticated, fast-paced settings.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication acumen, with the ability to cultivate relationships, influence key stakeholders, and drive strategic initiatives at all organizational levels.
• Possesses a results-oriented and inclusive working style and exhibits a desire for continuous improvement.
• Unwavering discretion and sound judgment, safeguarding highly confidential and sensitive information with integrity and professionalism.
• Exemplary organizational capabilities coupled with the ability to seamlessly manage multiple high-priority projects while maintaining focus on key objectives.
• Facile with and champion use of data, technology platforms, and AI tools to modernize workflows, elevate communication, and generate actionable insights that inform strategic talent decisions.
• Proven expertise in creative problem-solving and leadership, with a strong track record of coaching, mentoring, and developing teams to achieve optimal performance and growth.
• Proficient in core software tools such as Word, Outlook, and Excel, with a demonstrated ability to quickly adapt to and leverage new technologies and systems to enhance productivity and efficiency.
• Hybrid work environment, 3-days a week in-office
• Periodic travel as needed.

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Benefits and More

At Goodwin, you will discover your next career opportunity with a rewarding compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work schedule

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Life and disability insurance

• Retirement & Savings Plan

• Emergency back-up child and adult care

• Paid vacation, sick time off, and holidays

• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

• Employee recognition and reward programs

• Employee wellness and assistance programs

• Employee discounts and perks

​Consistent with the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status.

To request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process in the US, contact the Benefits Department by email or by phone at 617-570-1800. To request any disability or neurodivergence related accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process in the UK or Germany, please email the Recruiting Department. Any information you provide will be in the strictest confidence, and only used for the purpose of providing the accommodations needed. Requesting accommodations will not adversely affect the outcome of your application.