["Director of Attorney Professional Development","Director of Attorney Professional Development"]

Director of Attorney Professional DevelopmentAkerman is seeking a Director of Attorney Professional Development. Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Director of Attorney Professional Development owns the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of professional development programming for all attorneys firmwide, from junior associates through equity partners. This is a newly created position reflecting the firm's commitment to extending structured professional development beyond associates to include partners, of counsel, special counsel, and consultants. The Director will build programming that strengthens legal skills, leadership capabilities, business development acumen, and fluency with AI and emerging practice technologies. Working in close partnership with the Professional Development Council, Practice Group Chairs, the C‑Suite, and the Akerman Intelligence platform, this role will shape a firmwide culture of continuous growth at every career stage.Partner, Of Counsel & Consultant DevelopmentIn collaboration with Practice Group Chairs, design and deliver professional development programming tailored to partners, of counsel, special counsel, and consultants, including leadership development, practice management, business generation, and client relationship skillsBuild programming that acknowledges the distinct developmental needs of senior attorneys, including transition to management responsibilities, cross‑selling, succession planning, and adaptation to evolving practice technologiesDevelop executive‑level facilitation approaches appropriate for experienced professionals, including peer learning formats, structured coaching frameworks, and case‑based workshopsCoordinate with the Lateral Partner Immersion Program Co‑Chairs to ensure lateral partner hires receive ongoing professional development support beyond initial onboardingAssociate DevelopmentIn collaboration with the PDC, design and deliver a comprehensive curriculum for junior, mid‑level, and senior associates aligned with Practice Group Chair benchmarks for progressionWork with the PDC and Legal Recruiting to support the Mentor Program by equipping mentors with training tools, resources, and accountability frameworksCreate structured development pathways that connect training milestones to associate advancement criteriaAI & Practice Technology IntegrationPartner with the Akerman Intelligence platform to integrate AI fluency into professional development programming across all attorney levelsDesign training that helps attorneys understand, evaluate, and effectively use AI and technology tools in their practices, including firm‑approved platforms and emerging legal technologyDevelop programming that addresses the practice transformation implications of AI, including workflow redesign, quality assurance, client communication about AI use, and ethical obligationsLeverage AI tools to enhance training design, delivery, and accessibility, including adaptive learning paths and on‑demand resourcesFirmwide Training InfrastructureFacilitate live and virtual training sessions across skill domains including client management, leadership, financial literacy, and interpersonal effectivenessCollaborate with C‑Suite leadership to align training programming with firm strategic initiatives, including the Financial Fluency for Lawyers series and the Connections initiativeCreate on‑demand training content (e‑learning modules, video resources, toolkits) to ensure accessibility for attorneys across all officesCoordinate with third‑party vendors to supplement internal programming as neededServe as the primary liaison between the PDC, Practice Group Chairs, and firm leadership on all matters related to attorney developmentMeasurement & ReportingDevelop and track performance indicators for training effectiveness, including participation rates, skill progression against benchmarks, and correlation with retention and engagement dataProvide regular reporting to the CHRO and firm leadership on program outcomes, emerging trends, and recommended adjustmentsQualificationsEducationBachelor's degree in Learning & Development, Organizational Development, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience). Advanced degree or J.D. a plus.Experience10+ years of professional development, training, or talent development experience, with meaningful exposure to law firm or professional services environmentsDemonstrated experience designing and delivering professional development for senior professionals (partners, executives, or equivalent), not solely junior or associate populationsTrack record of building programming that drives measurable behavioral change, not just completion metricsExperience with change management and the organizational dynamics of introducing new development expectations to populations that have not historically participated in structured trainingFamiliarity with how AI and technology are reshaping professional services delivery; direct experience integrating technology‑related content into development curriculaExperience in an AmLaw 100 or comparable professional services environment preferredSkills & AbilitiesExecutive presence and credibility sufficient to engage equity partners and senior leaders as a development resource, not solely as a training coordinatorAbility to design and deliver engaging, interactive programming for both virtual and in‑person audiences at all levels of seniorityStrong facilitation, communication, and presentation skillsAbility to build trusted relationships across a large, geographically distributed organizationProficiency with video conferencing tools and the Microsoft 365 suiteWillingness to travel to Akerman offices for in‑person programming as neededWe offer a competitive compensation and benefits package. Please submit your resume, cover letter and salary requirements.Equal Opportunity EmployerThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.#J-18808-Ljbffr