Manager,ProfessionalDevelopment

**Job Summary & Objectives** The M&A Professional Development Manager (“PDM”) is a role central to the practice and all aspects of the group’s legal talent development efforts, with success driven by strong relationship-building and day-to-day connection with associates and partners. The PDM is responsible for managing a range of associate activities including assigning deals, development and mentoring efforts and initiatives, and overall talent engagement, serving as a trusted advisor and “go-to” resource for the associates. The PDM will be responsible for supporting the M&A associates assigning process for the New York and Boston offices and facilitating broader professional development efforts as needed across the US offices. This role requires a people-first mindset, strong judgment, and the ability to build credibility quickly with stakeholders at all levels. This highly visible role is an integral part of the Legal Talent Team and will work closely with both the M&A practice group leader and staffing partners to support engagement, retention, and performance. **Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities** **Staffing** _(__New York & Boston Offices only __for associates permanently in the group) ~65% of role_ * Collaborate with the staffing partners to thoughtfully allocate work and structure deal teams for mid-senior associates, exercising judgement around associate experience, capacity, skills, business needs and development priorities * Develop trusted relationships with mid to senior associates by means of weekly in-person 1:1 check-ins / meetings gaining a deep understanding of their recent engagement experience, strengths, aspirations, pressures, and development needs in order to make informed future staffing and development decisions * Act as a central, trusted conduit between associates and partners – surfacing insights, flagging issues early, and facilitating productive dialogue around workload, performance, and development * Monitor and actively manage a