Chief Legal Talent Officer

Company name
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP

Employment Type
Full-Time

Posted on
Aug 27, 2021

Profile

Talent Development

1 Opening

San Francisco

Job Number: 1788

The Talent Development Department of Arnold & Porter has an opening for a Chief Legal Talent Officer (CLTO). The CLTO may be located in the Washington, New York or San Francisco office. The Chief Legal Talent Officer will develop, elevate, and promote first-rate legal recruiting and talent development programs that attract, develop and retain the highest caliber legal talent, with the focus on developing the firm’s lawyers at all levels to achieve their full potential. The CLTO is expected to be a strategic thinker and thought leader in recruiting and development initiatives that also encompass all aspects of the ongoing Associate experience, developing creative solutions that demonstrate the firm’s commitment to wellness and promotes morale and long-term engagement. The CLTO will perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s attorneys and advisors. The CLTO will manage effective departmental operations, promoting an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement, and will serve as a positive role model and mentor to the legal talent team.

The CLTO will report to the Chief Operating Officer and work closely with the firm Chairman, Co-Managing Partners, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Practice Management, the Management Committee and other leadership within the firm. This individual will manage a team of approximately 25 staff members through four direct reports, including a Director of Attorney Professional Development, a Director of Attorney Recruiting, a Director of Attorney Career Counseling and a Director of Legal Personnel.

Responsibilities:

1. Work with senior stakeholders to develop, implement, and advance state-of-the-art, best-in-class legal talent management programs that encompass recruitment, retention, training, development, evaluation, and compensation.
2. Develop a general resource hub tailored to “the Associate experience” at the firm, supporting professional development and personal wellness needs of associate attorneys.
3. Act as a thought leader to develop the strategic direction and ensure effectiveness of global recruiting and development programs and events.
4. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current legal talent management trends, program design and strategies, and market data.
5. Develop partnerships with key external stakeholders and thought leaders in the areas of legal talent recruiting and attorney development.
6. In consultation with the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, develop and support diversity and inclusion efforts in recruiting, retaining, and advancing the firm’s legal talent.
7. Develop programs to enhance the general and practice-specific performance of the firm’s lawyers.
8. Conduct an organizational review/audit of the existing legal talent department structure and processes.
9. Oversee efforts with senior firm leadership on the creation of attorney training programs.
10. Collaborate with Practice Management on mentoring, sponsorship, shadowing, and other programs.
11. Travel to local firm offices to implement strategic legal talent initiatives.
12. Manage department staff to foster high standards, high levels of expertise and skills, and excellent client service.
13. Oversee internal and external communications related to responsible areas.
14. Develop and understand firm data surrounding recruiting and development to inform hiring and development needs.
15. Collaborate closely with the Chief Human Resources Officer on employee relations matters.
16. Develop, monitor, and manage the firm’s legal talent and development budget.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree required, with graduate and/or law degree a plus.
2. A minimum of 15 years of broad-based talent management experience.
3. Demonstrated deep knowledge of professional talent management field and trends.
4. Strategic-thinking and analytical skills.
5. Proven experience leading innovation and continuous improvement in talent management.
6. Executive presence and excellent presentation skills.
7. Demonstrated high emotional intelligence and influencing skills.
8. Demonstrated inclusive leadership and cultural competency skills.
9. Strong service orientation and ability to establish effective working relationships.
10. Excellent writing, research, and editing skills.
11. Sound judgment and common sense.
12. Ability to multitask and work under pressure.
13. Strong organizational and project management skills.
14. Availability to travel as needed.

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws.