Senior Professional Development and Training Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Sr. Manager of Professional Development and Training, the Professional Development and Training Senior Specialist assesses, designs, implements, delivers and evaluates business support training programs and develops initiatives to support the strategy of the firm.

The Senior Specialist liaises with the core Human Resources Department, including the HR Business Partners, as needed. The Senior Specialist also consults with business support department leaders to assess training needs, design customized departmental training, and execute the training.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / JOB DUTIES:

1. Helps build a high-performance and a high-level support culture through first-rate business support training and development programs, aligned with the priorities of the firm. Programs could be cross-office (e.g., Managing for Success for all people managers), skills-based (e.g., project management), or targeted to the needs of a specific business support department (e.g., conducting a Time Management training program for a department retreat).

2. Develops and manages the project management plan for large training initiatives such as a half-day workshop. Develops consensus with project team around overall program design. Engages and provides direction and guidance to subject matter experts in generating content. Applies adult learning and design principles to the program. Leads the project team, including setting the agenda and leading training design meetings, which often include members from across administrative departments.

3. Independently designs and facilitates training, including assessing needs, identifying learning objectives, developing and sequencing content, applying adult learning principles, developing learning aides, evaluating learning outcomes, and updating training design based on participant feedback.

4. Develops creative, effective, useful and aesthetically pleasing training materials, acceptable within organizational formatting standards and brand.

a. Designs PPT decks for training sessions, for both live sessions and self-directed decks that are recorded and posted online.

b. Drafts program materials, including group activity templates, tips sheets, etc.

c. Designs eLearning modules, including content and learner engagement tools, etc.

d. Finds high value, practical supplementary course materials, such as webinars, podcasts, wiki websites, etc. for pre- or post-work.

5. Has in-depth knowledge of program design and adult learning methods.

6. Identifies any gaps in training offerings, including training supporting firmwide and department-specific competencies. In collaboration with the senior manager, creates and implements a firmwide needs assessment as needed to inform training curriculum. To understand client needs, attends HR Business Partner and other client meetings as necessary.

7. Presents training programs (e.g., time management, goal setting, creating a career strategy, etc.) to junior business support.

8. Designs and facilitates eLearning using authoring tools such as Articulate and Rise. In addition, produces and/or facilitates eLearning using Zoom

9. Manages logistics of training programs, including responsibility for creating and sending invitations, scheduling, acting as liaison with Conference Services and Document Production and Copy Services, setting up programming in viLMS or Zoom, general troubleshooting, waitlist information, and confirmations. Maintains participant records. Determines classroom space, layout, set-up and technology for program.

10. Manages the program evaluation process, including developing feedback tools and summarizing data; analyzes trends. Periodically develops summary reports for review by senior manager and HR leadership. Makes recommendations on training improvements.

11. Participates in the development, coordination and implementation of any supporting technology (i.e., LMS, Learning Lab, webinars[BS1] , podcasts, Pulse Community, Type-Coach website, other on-line/e-learning, etc.).

12. Identifies high-quality and functional external training offerings and communicates them to targeted audiences (e.g., complimentary HBR webinars, SHRM podcasts, etc.).

13. Creates and manages business support training budget, and proactively communicates information to senior manager to keep within budget.

14. Manages project plan for content Development and roll out of the infoNet resource center. Drafts descriptions of programs and tools for use on the resource center. Liaises with Knowledge Management/infoNet team to keep resource center updated.

15. Keeps abreast with trends in Professional Development, especially for business support in law firms.

16. Provides on-site support for local training.

17. Provides referral services as necessary for business support with specific training and/or development needs. Identifies both internal and external resources to meet needs.

18. Acts as main contact for general information and registration.

19. Maintains active knowledge of industry and technology trends (including through participation in webinars, periodical reviews, networking, on-line research & firm approved training/conferences).

20. Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Training and Development, Organizational Development, Instructional Design, Human Resources or its equivalent in experience. Advanced professional degree preferred.

• A minimum of five years experience with progressive responsibilities in the areas of needs assessment, curriculum design, training, facilitation, program evaluation, and participant records management. Experience in a professional services firm preferred.

• Excellent project management skills. Ability to respond quickly and positively to shifting demands and opportunities; and have the ability to work under tight deadlines and handle multiple, detailed tasks.

• Very good presentation and facilitation skills, with potential to develop further.

• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, demonstrated ability to develop positive working relationships supporting collaborative work within Human Resources and across the firm.

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, as well as excellent listening skills; ability to effectively communicate and interact with all levels of the firm, including senior management.

• Excellent judgment, diplomacy and tact.

• Energetic orientation; be driven to and energized by accomplishment.

• Ability to work independently and flexibly, managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Able to maintain strict confidentiality.

• Ability to pay attention to details, with follow through.

• Demonstrated proficiency in all Microsoft Office Products, Articulate, Rise, and ZOOM.

• Experience with multi-site organizations, nationally and internationally, strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Fast-paced environment. Incumbent is expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.

NY Comprehensive Total Rewards Package

Ropes & Gray is proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our business support team members. The firm also offers comprehensive health and well-being benefits, personal and Professional Development, career growth opportunities and a collegial and supportive culture. The anticipated pay range for this role is $82,000 - $122,000, which represents our good faith and reasonable estimate of the starting salary range at the time of posting. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance. The actual offered rate for this position will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors, including qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data and consideration of internal equity.