New 
Professional Development Director (Minneapolis, MN) (#3994)
 Dorsey & Whitney LLP | |
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, 401(k)
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 United States, Minnesota, Minneapolis | |
| 50 South 6th Street (Show on map) | |
 Sep 19, 2025 | |
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We are seeking a
Director of Professional Development to lead firmwide training and development initiatives to support the performance and success of attorneys at all stages of their careers. In this role, you'll provide career coaching for attorneys, lead a talented professional development team, and design impactful programs that drive engagement, retention, and long-term success.
While this is a hybrid role, the candidate must have the ability to work up to five days per week in the office as needed to efficiently and effectively produce and oversee live training programs. Key Responsibilities Include: - Training & Development - Oversee Dorsey U, Dorsey's in-house training and professional development function, which delivers internal and client-facing CLEs and other training across the Firm. - Collaborate with Human Resources and practice group leadership to analyze and identify attorney training needs and design curriculums and programs. - Collaborate with management and other administrative departments to plan, design and implement retreats (e.g., for partners, new associates, and senior associates). - Collaborate with Marketing & Business Development (MBD) to plan and oversee logistics for high-profile client-focused CLEs. - Evaluate, recommend, and implement innovative solutions to advance professional development for attorneys, including technology solutions such as a learning management system (LMS) for training and tracking, and other learning and information sharing initiatives. - Identify and engage internal and external trainers as needed. - Collaborate with Human Resources, Information Services, and other administrative departments to continually evaluate, improve, and implement effective and efficient attorney onboarding procedures for all levels of attorneys. - Direct the Dorsey U team in ensuring that Dorsey U programming meets various state CLE and similar (HR credit, etc.) requirements. - Collaborate with the Culture, Engagement & Wellness Director and Dorsey's Well Ahead committee to promote the wellness of all Dorsey's personnel via training. - Contribute to Dorsey special projects as requested (significant Firm anniversaries, community projects and more). Attorney Coaching - Serve as confidential career coach to associates and other levels of attorneys, including regarding attorney's professional development and career goals, leveraging in-house and external resources as needed. - In collaboration with MBD, analyze and identify programming opportunities to help Dorsey maintain strong relationships with alumni attorneys. - Conduct and report on attorney exit interviews in collaboration with Human Resources. Management & Administration - Manage the Professional Development team, including training, mentoring, development, performance, and salary administration; directly supervise the Professional Development Manager. - Plan and implement annual Dorsey U budget administration strategy and timeline; assume project manager role for annual budget processes. - May perform other responsibilities as assigned. What we're looking for: - JD (Bachelor's degree accepted only if candidate has 10+ years of directly relevant experience in a law firm environment). - At least 5 years in a supervisory or project management role. - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral. - Strong presentation skills. - Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships. - Strong people management skills. - Ability to be a change agent and drive new initiatives. - Excellent project management skills, including the ability to define goals and follow through to achieve results; organize, prioritize, and coordinate multiple and competing deadlines; and meet deadlines under intense time constraints. - Ability to demonstrate strategic focus with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to offer constructive opinions and creative solutions. - Exceptional internal and external client service. - Knowledge of CLE requirements and processes. - Ability to strategically maintain and administer budget and report on related information. - Experience with Windows operating system, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Outlook. - Ability to travel as needed to other Firm offices and retreat locations. About Dorsey: Dorsey & Whitney is an international law firm with more than 575 lawyers in 21 offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. We are a premier legal counselor to companies worldwide in a wide range of industries, including banking & financial institutions; development & infrastructure; energy & natural resources; food, beverage & agribusiness; healthcare & life sciences; and technology. Dorsey offers opportunities for advancement within a collaborative and dynamic environment, with competitive pay and excellent benefits. Our benefits are available to business professionals working 17+ hours/week along with their dependents, including spouses and domestic partners regardless of gender. Dorsey's benefit package includes: comprehensive medical insurance with coverage for infertility, gender-affirming care, behavioral health, and access to virtual providers; dental insurance; vision insurance; 401(k) retirement savings plan with Firm contribution; basic and optional life insurance; short and long-term disability; paid time off; up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave with up to an additional 6-8 weeks of paid short-term disability for business professionals who give birth; paid holidays; paid volunteer day; discretionary bonuses (if bonus eligible); adoption assistance; healthcare, dependent care, and transportation pre-tax reimbursement accounts; back-up child and elder care program; education and college advising program; virtual tutoring; wellbeing programs and activities; mass transit program (certain offices); travel assistance program; 24/7 employee assistance program with access to five confidential visits with a licensed counselor at no cost. (Some benefits are subject to eligibility criteria.) One of our greatest strengths is a friendly, cooperative culture that values and appreciates each individual. Dorsey has received external recognition for our welcoming workplace, including: - Mansfield Certification Plus (Diversity Lab) - Best Law Firms for Women (National Association of Female Executives and Flex-Time Lawyers) - 100% rating on the Corporate Equality Index (Human Rights Campaign) - Gold Standard Certification (Women in Law Empowerment Forum) - Top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplace (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption) Reasonable Accommodations: Dorsey is committed to providing disability and religious-based reasonable accommodations, as well as menopause, pregnancy or lactation-related reasonable accommodations. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, or if you have questions about a workplace reasonable accommodation, please contact us at 612-492-5178. How to Apply: Dorsey & Whitney LLP accepts online applications. Please go to the "Careers" section of the Dorsey website at www.dorsey.com/staffjobs and complete Dorsey's online application form. We are unable to accept application materials by mail or email. Dorsey & Whitney LLP is an EEO/AAP/Disabled Vets Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, affectional preference, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, military or veteran status, or any other legally-protected status. Dorsey & Whitney LLP participates in E-Verify. The pay range for this position in Minnesota only is an annual salary of $170,000 to $232,000. This range represents Dorsey's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon a number of factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, skills and location and may fall outside of the range indicated. Please note that Dorsey is not currently accepting search firm submissions in connection with this opening. #LI-TC1 #LI-Hybrid Office Location: Minneapolis, MN | |