Manager, Learning & Professional Development

Goodwin Procter•Boston, NY

11d

About The Position

Goodwin is seeking a creative, collaborative, and solutions-oriented Manager to join its Learning + Professional Development team. Reporting to the Director of Learning + Professional Development, the Manager leads the design, development, and delivery of professional skills, leadership development, and career development programs for the firm’s professional staff and lawyers, with select programming for clients. The role partners with Practice Groups, Industry Groups, and GO Team departments to translate business and talent needs into practical, engaging, and scalable learning solutions. The Manager applies expertise in instructional design, facilitation, stakeholder consultation, career development, program management, learning technology, and adult learning methodologies. The role also supervises at least one direct report, manages multiple concurrent projects, and evaluates and improves learning initiatives. The position supports programs across U.S. offices and, as appropriate, global audiences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least five years of experience in learning and development, talent development, career development, organizational development, attorney development, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience designing, delivering, and evaluating professional skills, leadership development, career development, and/or talent development programs.
Strong knowledge of instructional design, curriculum development, adult learning principles, facilitation techniques, and career development practices.
Strong presentation and facilitation skills, including experience engaging senior leaders and diverse professional audiences.
Ability to build trusted relationships, consult effectively with stakeholders, and translate business needs into impactful development solutions.
Ability to influence and build credibility with senior leaders, partners, and other key stakeholders in a complex, matrixed organization.
Experience partnering with leaders to identify talent needs and develop learning, career development, and growth strategies that support organizational objectives.
Demonstrated project and program management experience, including managing multiple complex initiatives simultaneously and delivering high-quality results.
Experience supervising, coaching, and developing team members or leading cross-functional projects and initiatives through influence in a matrixed environment.
Ability to use data, participant feedback, and evaluation measures to assess program effectiveness, identify improvement opportunities, and inform decisions.
Commitment to creating inclusive learning experiences that support people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and learning styles.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, navigate ambiguity, and thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced professional environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within a law firm or other professional services environment.
Experience designing and delivering learning, leadership development, and career development programs for professional staff, lawyers, or other professional populations.
Experience creating competency models, career frameworks, career pathways, advancement programs, succession strategies, or leadership pipeline initiatives.
Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), virtual learning platforms, digital learning technologies, and technology-enabled learning solutions.
Experience managing external learning vendors, facilitators, coaches, consultants, and content providers.
Knowledge of learning analytics, program evaluation methodologies, and emerging applications of artificial intelligence in learning and talent development.
Experience supporting talent initiatives focused on employee growth, internal mobility, leadership readiness, retention, and career progression.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Director to develop and execute professional skills, leadership development, and career development strategies for professional staff and lawyers.
Advise Practice Groups and GO Team departments on learning and talent development needs and recommend solutions aligned with business priorities.
Build relationships with firm leaders, subject matter experts, and stakeholders; consult on competencies, career pathways, development planning, leadership readiness, and growth opportunities.
Develop career development strategies that support professional growth, internal mobility, succession readiness, and leadership pipelines.
Collaborate with partners and GO Team leaders to develop and deliver select learning offerings for firm clients.
Lead the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of programs, curricula, frameworks, and learning pathways.
Apply adult learning principles, instructional design practices, and inclusive learning methodologies; develop learning objectives, facilitator guides, participant materials, assessments, and reinforcement tools.
Design and manage customized learning pathways using LinkedIn Learning and other internal and external resources.
Develop career development resources and programming to help employees navigate career progression, build skills, and prepare for future opportunities.
Partner with internal stakeholders and external vendors to create learning experiences in professional skills areas such as communication, leadership, collaboration, influence, feedback, business development, and project management.
Facilitate learning experiences for professional staff, lawyers, and firm leaders in in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.
Lead and support onboarding and integration programs, professional skills curricula, manager development, leadership development, and the Emerging Leaders initiative.
Facilitate career development workshops and programs focused on career planning, professional growth, leadership readiness, and advancement.
Prepare and coach internal instructors, subject matter experts, and firm leaders serving as program faculty.
Help ensure consistent and effective program delivery across U.S. offices and, as appropriate, global audiences; collaborate with Talent colleagues and other firm functions.
Use learning technologies and digital resources to improve engagement, accessibility, scalability, and learner outcomes; support enhancement of the LMS and other learning platforms.
Monitor emerging learning technologies, instructional design practices, industry trends, and responsible applications of AI in learning and development.
Establish program success metrics; evaluate initiatives using participant feedback, utilization data, and other measures; analyze outcomes and recommend improvements.
Identify opportunities to standardize, scale, and improve learning and development processes while maintaining a high-quality participant experience.
Supervise, coach, and develop at least one direct report, setting priorities, expectations, and development plans and fostering an inclusive, collaborative team environment.
Manage multiple projects from concept through execution, including timelines, communications, stakeholders, budgets, risks, and deliverables; prioritize competing demands while maintaining quality and responsiveness.
Provide coaching, feedback, and development support to direct reports and project team members.
Contribute to departmental and firmwide strategic initiatives, identify opportunities to strengthen talent pipelines and employee development, and perform other duties and special projects as needed.