Director of Professional Development
Greater St. Louis, MO (Hybrid)
$175,000-$225,000
We have a well-established professional services organization seeking a Director of Professional Development to oversee the design and delivery of initiatives that enhance the capabilities, career growth, and long-term success of its professional workforce.
This position will serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership while maintaining hands-on responsibility for developing and implementing professional development programs. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of legal and professional development and will be comfortable working with high-performing individuals and organizational leaders.
The Director will oversee development efforts across the professional lifecycle, including onboarding, early-career development, coaching and mentoring, leadership preparation, career progression, and advancement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Establish and execute a comprehensive professional development strategy that supports organizational and talent objectives.
- Collaborate with senior leadership and practice or department leaders to assess development needs and translate those needs into effective programs and initiatives.
- Design and oversee training, mentoring, coaching, career development, and leadership development programs for attorneys and other professionals.
- Create structured and scalable development resources that address the needs of professionals at varying stages of their careers.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership regarding employee development, performance, retention, succession planning, and career advancement.
- Expand and strengthen organizational coaching and mentoring capabilities.
- Oversee professional onboarding and support the successful integration of new and lateral hires.
- Develop appropriate measurements and reporting processes to assess program participation, effectiveness, and overall impact.
- Lead, mentor, and develop members of the professional development team while overseeing departmental budgets and resource allocation.
- Evaluate emerging trends, tools, and best practices to identify opportunities to improve learning, professional development, and talent management programs.
Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate Degree required
- Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in attorney development, professional development, legal education, Human Resources, talent management, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience creating and managing professional development programs for attorneys or other highly skilled professionals.
- Strong background in coaching, mentoring, and leadership development.
- Proven ability to work directly with senior executives, organizational leaders, and high-level professionals.
- Law firm experience strongly preferred; candidates with experience in a large professional services organization or legal department will also be considered.
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, relationship-building, and influencing abilities.
- Strategic and analytical approach with the ability to translate ideas into practical programs and execute initiatives from conception through implementation.
- Experience leading teams and managing budgets, resources, and complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
