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Professional Development Manager (Finance)



Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.

Professional Development Manager

The Professional Development Manager (“PDM”) is responsible for managing a full range of professional development (“PD”) programs, processes, and initiatives for both business professionals (“staff”) and attorneys at the firm. The PDM will engage Department Heads, Practice Group Leaders, Chiefs, Directors, and other firm management with developing staff and lawyers to their highest potential. The PDM will also support the performance review process, design and implement substantive and skills-based curricula, and support milestone events. The PDM collaborates with the Talent, Practice Management, Marketing & Business Development, and other administrative teams to develop effective programs that positively contribute to staff and attorney development, retention, and progression.  The Professional Development Manager maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and firm matters.

The Professional Development Manager can be located in our Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York or Washington, D.C. office. Katten offers a hybrid work model, allowing the flexibility to work both on-site and remotely on a regular basis (KattenFlex).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following.  Other duties may be requested and/or assigned.  Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of the position.  Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Training and Development Initiatives: Responsible for the selection, development, and execution of training and development initiatives for staff and lawyers. Partner with management to analyze performance gaps, identify needs, and present recommendations for training and development.  Plan, design, and implement training programs in alignment with the firm's Business Professional and Associate Competency Frameworks and to meet the objectives of the Department / Practice Group.

  • Department / Practice Group Support: Partner with department heads, practice group leaders, and talent development partners to assess and support the professional development needs of lawyers within assigned practice groups.  Manage and deliver tailored mentoring programs, training initiatives, coaching opportunities, and other development resources to support the growth, retention, and success of attorneys. Serve as a strategic advisor to practice group leadership, leveraging insights and best practices to foster an environment that prioritizes learning, engagement, and career progression.

  • Milestone Events / Department Training Events: For attorneys and staff, the PDM will design and implement Firmwide Academies and other practice group/department specific training programs that align with the firms strategic goals and support the growth and progression of lawyers and staff at key career stages. 

  • Performance Reviews: Provide strategic and administrative support throughout the firm's attorney performance review process.  Understand tools, processes, and strategy to ensure proper execution. Monitor the attorney evaluations, assists with review messages, facilitates the delivery of formal reviews, and advises partners on specific and/or sensitive performance related situations and coaches attorneys on how to implement feedback received. 

  • Career Coaching / Advising:  For attorneys, provide individually tailored guidance in development of both near and longer-term career goals, and then provide advice and feedback on strategic plans to achieve those goals.  Coach attorneys through the process of identifying a range of possible career options, taking into account attorney's professional and personal background, needs, goals, and preferences. For staff, establish a coaching and career development program to provide guidance and support to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. 

  • Mentoring: Assist with the design and implementation of mentoring activities and programs for attorneys and staff and solicits feedback from both advisors and advisees to ensure that the program is meeting its goal. 

  • PD Intelligence: Keep abreast of trends in professional development for attorneys and staff. Evaluate content and presenter effectiveness to ensure efficient delivery of content and that the topic is of interest to the firm. 

  • Assist Talent team on other projects, as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Bachelor's degree is required; a JD is highly preferred. Five or more years of professional development experience at a law firm, law school, or other professional services firm is required. Two or more years of previous supervisory experience is required. 
  • Working knowledge of CLE rules and requirements and best practices regarding CLE processes and procedures. Familiarity with California, Illinois, New York, North Carolina and Texas, CLE requirements preferred. 
  • Advanced knowledge of Windows-based systems, particularly the Microsoft Office 2010 suite.  Familiarity with viDesktop/Aderant Eval and LMS, CE Manager, and SharePoint highly desirable.  Familiarity with document management systems and other legal applications highly desirable.
  • Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Written work product is appropriate to the audience and written in a clear and concise manner that effectively gets the message across. Ability to communicate with courtesy, diplomacy, and discretion, efficiently follow written and verbal instructions, provide information, and maintain effective relationships with a diverse group of attorneys, firm management, clients, staff, and outside contacts, including speaking before groups of individuals.  
  • Excellent organizational, planning and project management skills including accuracy, record keeping, data collection and system information. Ability to compile and analyze data and furnish concise, detailed information in report format, written correspondence, e- mail or verbally.
  • Highly motivated, strategic focus:  ability to understand and support firm goals, services, culture and strategy in order to present self and the firm in a positive, professional manner.  Commitment to staying  informed of industry standards and best practices through professional development, to including professional reading, membership in industry groups and organizations, and participation in seminars and conferences.  
  • Exhibits high degree of initiative in managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, high-stressed, detail-oriented work environment.  Ability to work with frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workflow.
  • Dependable team player with high energy, creativity and vision who works collaboratively and cooperatively with others in a team-oriented environment.  Ability to act independently within scope of the position's responsibilities as a decision-maker and contributor on all levels.
  • Encourages an atmosphere in which everyone exchanges ideas, is open to new ideas and processes, and is respected for their contributions by being helpful, approachable, and team oriented.
  • Excellent analytical and technical skills requiring an aptitude for detail, precision, and logic. Proactive with excellent troubleshooting, problem resolution, and follow-through skills.  Possess the ability to identify and propose resolutions to problems in a timely manner through use of resources, including asking questions, gathering facts, and reviewing records.
  • Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation, or office supplies weighing up to 10 pounds.
  • Must be flexible to work overtime, travel on occasion, accept tasks outside of normal job duties, and be open to assume new responsibilities if the needs of the department changes.

For the Charlotte and Dallas offices, the annualized salary range for this position is $140,000 - $160,000. For the Chicago office, the annualized salary range is $145,000 - $165,000. For the Los Angles and Washington, D.C. offices, the annualized salary range is $150,000 - $170,000. For the New York Office, the annualized salary range is $155,000 to $175,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Katten will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Article 9 to Chapter XVIII of the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

We offer an outstanding benefit package which includes: medical/dental/vision, 401k with employer contribution, parental leave, transportation fringe benefit program, back-up care option, generous paid time off policy, and long-term and short-term disability policies.

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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