Learning and Development Manager - Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Location: Washington, DC
Schedule: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
FLSA: Exempt
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Learning and Development Manager.in the Human Resources department, reporting to the Director of Talent Management, Business Services.

The role will reside in the Washington, DC office with hybrid work capabilities and will beresponsible for collaborating with the HR Business Partner team and firm stakeholders to identify, develop and implement practical learning and development solutions for the Business Services teams. The Learning and Development Manager, Business Services will evaluate organizational, team and individual needs to help build and execute learning strategies to continually strengthen and sustain organizational performance.This position is a hands-on working manager role, with responsibility to build and grow the staff development function and its services.This role requires a strategic leader who delivers solutions through a consistent and collaborative focus on operational excellence ensuring that our learning initiatives meet current and future business needs and enhance our firm's talent capabilities.

The Learning and Development Manager, Business Services is expected to serve as a positive role model and mentor, and to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s attorneys, advisors and business services professionals, through consistently efficient and effective departmental operations.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• As a member of the global Human Resources team, actively participate in executing the firm’s professional development strategies for Business Services professionals in support of the firm’s business objectives, guiding core values, inclusive work culture and industry reputation as an employer of choice.
• Collaborate with the Director of Talent Management, HR Business Partners, senior leadership and other stakeholders to identify and assess the professional development needs of Business Services professionals and teams.
• Serve as primary program manager for Business Services talent development programs, including to:
  • Design and develop strategic, responsive and effective training and professional development programs utilizing standardized program assessment and design templates and tools;
  • Manage and oversee all aspects of technical, logistical and operational support during the design and implementation of training programs;
  • Manage multiple parallel initiatives ensuring goals and deadlines are consistently met or exceeded;
  • Ensure programs are scalable and repeatable;
  • Design and develop metrics and reports to measure and demonstrate success and application of training as well as strategies to promote programming, increase attendance and maximize effectiveness; and
  • Ensure communication with stakeholders is timely and impactful.
• Design and maintain a professional development curriculum that develops critical areas of the firm’s Business Services functions, including to create annual training calendars that allow colleagues to plan and coordinate their professional development proactively.
• Facilitate in-person and/or virtual training programs with or without external vendor partners.
• Identify, manage and enhance performance of external training vendors, including to:
  • Ensure the design and facilitation delivered by internal and external training partners meets expected levels performance; and
  • Provide vendor partners with the information and direction needed to be successful on our behalf.
• Liaise with internal presenters to design, prepare for and deliver effective training.
• Manage and maintain professional development and learning programming in the Learning Management System in partnership with internal IT partners.
• Plan, execute and/or support training and talent related projects, such as intern training, professional development opportunities identified during talent reviews and annual performance evaluations; team development and bespoke development needs as identified by managers.
• Partner with HR and other colleagues who oversee onboarding and integration to ensure an engaging, effective and successful onboarding and integration experience for all new joiners as it relates to professional development opportunities.
• In partnership with the Director of Talent, assist with managing and monitoring the annual budget for Business Services Learning and Development, ensuring overall cost-effectiveness against the budget.
• Keep abreast of trends in professional development, especially in the legal and professional services industries, and apply relevant lessons to continually enhance the execution and impact of the Learning and Development functions.
• Travel as necessary.

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• 4 year college degree
• Human Resource professional certification preferred (SHRM, ATD, HCI, etc.)
• Minimum 6 years of relevant Learning and Development experience, preferably in a law firm or professional services organization
• Superior written and oral communication skills, ability to assess and communicate detailed and complex information effectively to others
• Demonstrated knowledge of learning discovery and content design that successfully utilizes diverse modalities to enhance effectiveness of individuals and teams
• Demonstrated application of online authoring tools such as Captivate, Articulate etc. as well as AI-generated training resources
• Demonstrated excellent facilitation skills. Understands and effectively manages the different aspects of training and facilitation to meet audience needs
• Ability to positively balance learning and development theory with current state reality and effective execution
• Superior interpersonal skills demonstrated by leading collaborative change management and problem resolution efforts
• Strong service orientation and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Proven ability to establish and build credibility as a professional trusted advisor acting as a steward and role model for the HR function and the firm
• Ability to excel within a team and matrix environment, focused on the success of others balancing personal ownership with delegation and coordination of available resources
• Demonstrated effectiveness of successfully implementing new strategies, processes and programs that incorporate and respect existing history, process, success and culture
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a manner which meets milestones, deadlines and goals for assigned projects (use of Smartsheet, Lean/Six Sigma and/or Agile preferred)
• Demonstrated knowledge of learning management systems and HRIS (Workday preferred)
• Unfailing commitment to confidentiality of firm, department and employee information, discretion and adherence to the firms’ Core Values
• Ability to use initiative and judgment to accomplish results
• Ability to use critique of work to improve performance
• Commitment to professional growth and development
• Availability to travel as necessary

The base salary range for this position in Washington, DC is $120,000 to $150,000.Additional information about benefits and rewards can be found here.

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