Attorney Development Manager - Real Estate

Goodwin•Boston, MA

1d•$165,000 - $190,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Goodwin's Global Operations Team is seeking an Attorney Development Manager (ADM) to drive development and engagement for associates and other timekeepers in their assigned cohort. The ADM will solicit input from partners, provide actionable feedback, and manage performance and talent decisions. This role acts as a strategic advisor and talent enabler, proactively managing individual attorney development to align with the firm’s business goals and culture of elite performance. In partnership with firm and practice group leadership, and with Practice Management, Talent, and other teams, the ADM will facilitate 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.

Requirements

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.
Experience in legal staffing, workforce planning, or attorney development within a comparable legal or professional services environment is highly preferred.
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 champions use of data, technology platforms, and AI tools to modernize workflows, elevate communication, and generates actionable insights that inform strategic talent decisions.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day development, performance, and engagement for assigned attorneys.
Lead the attorney onboarding experience to ensure seamless integration into the firm’s culture, expectations, and workflows.
Foster strong, trusted relationships with attorneys through regular check-ins, career coaching, and individualized support.
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 optimize capacity and ensure broad access to learning and developmental opportunities.
Foster attorney accountability by tracking assignment requests and ensuring high service standards.
Identify and align talent with secondment opportunities with key clients.
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.
Facilitate bi-annual self-assessment and goal-setting processes, guiding attorneys in aligning their professional development with the firm’s core competencies.
Co-lead review meetings for attorneys receiving significant developmental feedback.
Collaborate with advisors, attorney development committees, and Employee Relations to address performance issues.
Facilitate smooth and professional transitions from the firm with Practice Management, Coaching, and Employee Relations.
Proactively identify trends, address attorney concerns, and develop and implement targeted strategies for hiring, onboarding, retention, advancement, and development.
Partner with Recruiting and Practice Management to assess and anticipate hiring needs, using workforce data and performance metrics to identify development gaps and forecast talent needs.
Shape role definitions, refine selection criteria, screen candidates, and deliver data-informed recommendations to leadership.
Manage the Advisor Program to ensure attorneys receive consistent, high-quality guidance, feedback, and mentorship.
Anticipate training needs and collaborate with Learning + Professional Development, Practice Management, and subject matter experts to deliver targeted programming and create individual learning plans.
Take initiative in leading, shaping, or supporting key firm initiatives to clarify career paths and support professional growth.
Work closely with Talent, 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.
Proactively address engagement concerns with attorneys and their advisors.
Facilitate attorneys’ understanding of key firm policies, practices, and procedures and drive compliance.