Director of Performance and Advancement

With 500+ professionals and 350+ business professionals, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP (www.manatt.com), is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm known for quality and an extraordinary commitment to clients. The Firm’s groundbreaking approach—bringing together legal services, advocacy and business strategy—differentiates Manatt from its competitors and positions the Firm to provide a distinct and compelling value proposition.

Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated and strategic Director of Performance and Advancement to lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive performance management program for our firm. This role will play a pivotal role in ensuring our Attorney and Consulting Professionals, and Business and Administrative Professionals are empowered to achieve their full potential and contribute to the overall success of the firm. This position will report to the Senior Director of Talent and can be located in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, San Diego, Silicon Valley, New York City, Boston, or Washington D.C.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and oversee a performance management program aligned with the Firm's strategic goals and objectives and with the guidance of Firm leadership to ensure each professional level on both the legal and consulting side of the business have a defined performance management process in place. This role will also evaluate with Firm leadership whether to expand over time this function to include Business and Administrative Professionals.

• Lead the continuous improvement of the Firm wide performance management processes that supports Firm wide goals and objectives and integrates performance management into all phases of development. Identifies best practices and current trends in performance management.

• Develop and maintain performance evaluation tools and processes, including setting clear expectations, providing ongoing feedback, and conducting performance reviews. This role will also evaluate whether to implement a “Realtime Feedback” tool where the Firm is not using one now.

• Review and revise the core competencies at all levels of the Firm, incorporating core competencies in the performance evaluation processes and work with other roles within the Firm (including professional development, practice management and human resources team members as appropriate) to ensure proper training tools in place to develop all professionals in line with core competencies at each level.

• Partner with Firm leaders (including business unit and group leaders and department heads) to establish individual performance goals.

• Oversee advancement process for the associate group and actively participate in the annual associate compensation process.

• Coach and mentor performance evaluators on providing effective performance feedback and development opportunities for their teams and develop and deliver training programs on performance management, as appropriate.

• Analyze performance data and identify trends to inform strategic decision-making and talent development initiatives.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable legal and ethical requirements related to performance management.

• Collaborate with professional development and human resources departments on professional development initiatives, including exit interview processes.

• Collaborate on, design and/or execute other projects, duties, initiatives as requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, JD highly preferred.

• 12+ years of experience in performance management or a combination of performance management, human resources/legal personnel or related fields in a legal or professional services environment required. Law firm experience strongly preferred. 

• Proven track record of designing and implementing performance management programs, core competencies and exit interviews in a legal and/or professional services environment.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality work while maintaining a client service focus.

• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to gather information from a broad range of sources and influence others to make changes.

• Must be collaborative, proactive, and engaged and willing to work in a matrixed environment, partnering with colleagues both within and outside of the professional development team.

• Proven ability to effectively foster a cohesive and productive environment and handle complex relationships.

• Ability to function in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment, prioritize multiple projects on a daily basis, adjust to shifting priorities, all with a “can-do” “roll up the sleeves” attitude.

• Ability to work discreetly with confidential information and situations.

• Strong planning, project management, analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently (self-motivated with proven ability to anticipate problems and move things forward with limited direction and varying deadlines) and as part of a team with a proactive and positive style that fosters collaborative working relationships.

• Deep personal commitment to integrity, excellent judgment, and the highest standards of ethics.

• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. Ability to quickly get up to speed and master new applications and software is critical. Familiarity with HRIS systems (including Workday and Vi) and advanced reporting tools is a plus. Excellent excel/modeling skills are a must.

• Ability to travel as needed.

The base annual pay range for this role is between $200,000–$260,000. The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience and location.  A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER/Veterans/Disabled

Manatt is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex or gender (including gender identity, gender expression, status as a transgender or transsexual individual, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (over 40), genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, sexual orientation, political activity or affiliation, genetic or and any other protected classes or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the American Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.