Professional Development Manager, Business Professionals

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,750 lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don't just invest in your future, we accelerate your career - wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

With us, you'll find:

• A firm where everyone belongs: Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity - we encourage you to be yourself!

• Enthusiasm for all perspectives: We're smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.

• Support to feel your best and do your best: Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That's why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.

• Real rewards for real work: We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

Job Description:

The Professional Development Manager develops and facilitates training, curricula, and program content for the global business professional population. This role combines in-depth management and leadership development skills with the ability to design, deliver and evaluate training programs tailored to a law firm environment. The Professional Development Manager works closely with Human Resources Managers and leaders across the C-Suite functions to assess substantive learning needs, design training strategies and ensure that programming is aligned with the Firm's goals and evolving market and legal trends.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Conduct training needs assessments across business professional functions by analyzing skill gaps, performance data, and stakeholder input to inform a firmwide professional development strategy

• Design and implement role-specific curricula and learning pathways aligned to McDermott's competency frameworks, career pathing models, and business priorities, leveraging instructional design methodologies

• Develop scalable, blended learning programs tailored to diverse business professional populations and learning styles

• Lead the creation of high-impact training content and materials, including digital learning modules, facilitator guides, and toolkits that support skill development aligned with firm core competencies

• Establish curriculum governance and continuous improvement processes, regularly evaluating program effectiveness through metrics, feedback, and business outcomes to refine offerings

• Align all learning initiatives with firm strategy and operational priorities, ensuring programs directly support business performance, talent development, and retention goals

• Leverage learning technologies and LMS platforms to deliver, track, and optimize training experiences, incorporating modern approaches such as microlearning and digital content delivery

• Manage external vendors and internal subject matter experts to design and deliver specialized training programs, ensuring quality, consistency, and cost-effectiveness

• Manage and train direct report(s) and other junior professional development team members

Job Specifications:

• Bachelor's degree

• At least six (6) years of related work experience

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

• Ability to work under tight deadlines and prioritize responsibilities

• Ability to adapt training styles and delivery for a variety of learning styles and preferences

• Ability to work across geographies and training delivery platforms (in-person, virtual, hybrid)

Successful candidates will be provided with outstanding career opportunities and will receive a competitive total rewards package with the opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses.

Target Hiring Range $131,000 - $194,000

Please note that quoted salary ranges are not guarantees of what final salary offers may be. Base pay is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographic location. Base pay is only one part of the Total Rewards that MWS provides to compensate and recognize our staff professionals for their work. Full time positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, talk and hear

• Employee must occasionally lift up to twenty (20) pounds

Work Environment:

Typical indoor office environment

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people within this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.