Manager of Professional Development - Business Professionals

Ice Miller LLP•Chicago, IL

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager of Professional Development- Business Professionals, leads the design and execution of learning, development, and performance initiatives for business professionals across the Firm. This role is accountable for designing programs that build capability, strengthen skillsets, and support the long‑term growth of teams and individuals. It requires cultivating strong, collaborative relationships with leaders and serving as a trusted advisor on talent development, team effectiveness, and organizational culture. Success in this position depends on a strong service mindset, exceptional professionalism, and the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment while balancing multiple priorities and stakeholder needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Professional Development related certificate or certification preferred.
Minimum 7–10+ years of related work experience, within law firm talent management or law firm professional development, professional services, or multi-office environment, required.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong organizational, time management, and project management abilities, with the capacity to prioritize and manage multiple projects independently.
Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Ability to build and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues and other stakeholders across the firm, including business professionals, attorneys, Firm leadership and departmental leaders.
Exceptional client service orientation and professional demeanor.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), and experience utilizing a learning management system (LMS).
Ability to work across Firm locations and training delivery platforms (in-person, virtual, hybrid).
Ability to perform all essential job duties.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with a diverse group of people.

Nice To Haves

Professional Development related certificate or certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, planning, scheduling, and execution of comprehensive professional development training programs for business professionals.
Develop and deliver leadership and management training for new and existing Ice Miller leaders and managers, aligned with Firm priorities, culture, and expectations.
Partner with the Director of Human Resources to assess leadership development needs and design curriculum addressing core people‑leadership and management competencies.
Facilitate leadership onboarding and transition training for new leaders and managers to promote consistent and effective leadership practices.
Evaluate leadership and management training effectiveness and refine content based on feedback, outcomes, and best practices.
Develop scalable learning programs, training content, and materials, including online learning modules, facilitator guides, and toolkits that support skill development aligned with Firm priorities and competencies.
Conduct needs assessments to identify capability gaps and deliver targeted training programs, including facilitation, coordination of subject‑matter experts, and post‑training evaluation.
Lead or co-lead firmwide business professionals development initiatives, such as departmental professional development sessions, business professionals mentoring program development and rollout, career development series, and team‑building retreats.
Maintain certification in Predictive Index (PI) and serve as an internal trainer, helping leaders and teams use PI insights to improve communication, hiring, and team dynamics.
Facilitate regular training sessions on the Predictive Index.
Coach employees on goal setting, development planning, and ongoing progress tracking to support career growth and performance.
Work with Human Resources department colleagues to refine career paths, competency models, and policies that support the growth and retention of business professionals.
Support onboarding training needs for business professional new hires, ensuring collaboration with hiring manager, and other business professionals teams as needed.
Facilitate ongoing, informal feedback exchanges among business professionals and leaders to strengthen communication and continuous improvement.
Stay current on best practices and trends in professional development to enhance team initiatives, and in collaboration with the Director of Human Resources, advise stakeholders on trends and firm-wide departmental professional development needs.