Associate Development Manager - (Global Law Firm)

Associate Development Manager - (Global Law Firm)

London (Hybrid Working) | Full-Time | Permanent

A leading international law firm is seeking an experienced Associate Development Manager to join its London office. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in the development, engagement, performance and progression of legal talent within a high-performing litigation practice.

Working closely with practice leadership, Legal Talent and Professional Development teams, you will help shape the associate experience from onboarding through to career development, performance management and retention.

The Opportunity

As Associate Development Manager, you will act as a trusted advisor to partners and associates, ensuring effective staffing, equitable work allocation and meaningful professional development opportunities across the practice group.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing associate staffing and work allocation processes
• Monitoring utilisation, workload distribution and development opportunities
• Analysing associate metrics and supporting productivity objectives
• Partnering with practice leaders to identify hiring needs and workforce planning priorities
• Supporting the associate performance review process and facilitating feedback discussions
• Providing coaching and development support to associates
• Identifying high-potential talent and helping address performance or development challenges
• Coordinating onboarding, integration and exit interview processes
• Collaborating on legal skills, professional development and training programmes
• Working with licensing and compliance teams to support professional accreditation requirements
• Supporting diversity, inclusion and wellbeing initiatives across the practice

About You

We are interested in speaking with professionals who bring experience from a large law firm or complex professional services environment, particularly those with expertise in talent management, professional development or resource management.

You will likely have:

• Experience managing staffing and work allocation processes
• Knowledge of legal talent, professional development or attorney/associate management
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build credibility with senior leaders
• Excellent communication and coaching abilities
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
• Strong analytical and organisational skills
• The ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Desirable Experience

• Work allocation or resource management within a law firm
• Career coaching, talent development or performance management experience
• Previous legal practice experience combined with professional development responsibilities

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a prestigious global firm renowned for its collaborative culture, commitment to professional development and investment in its people. You will have significant visibility with senior stakeholders and play a direct role in shaping the careers of lawyers at all stages of their development.

Interested in learning more? Apply confidentially or contact us directly for a discreet conversation.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to all enquiries. If you have not received a response within 72 hours, please assume you have not been shortlisted at this stage, however thank you for taking the time to apply.

Ryder Reid Legal is a recruitment specialist. For over thirty years we've been connecting legal talent with many of the leading law firms in London and internationally. Follow our LinkedIn page for the latest vacancies.