Associate Development Manager – Cyber, Data, Privacy Group

Cooley LLP

Associate Development Manager joining Cooley's Professional Development team. Responsible for staffing, utilization, integration, and development for associates in Cyber/Data/Privacy group.

Posted 7/20/2026full-timeWashington DC • California, District of Columbia, New York, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $155,000 - $210,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in associate staffing, utilization, and professional development within a law firm environment, with a strong focus on performance management, coaching, and collaboration across teams to enhance associate experience and productivity.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Associate Staffing ManagementPerformance Review CoordinationProfessional Development Program ImplementationUtilization Rate AnalysisJD Degree

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Work Allocation Process ManagementMetrics Tracking and AnalysisCoaching and MentoringLegal Education Program DevelopmentExit Interview Facilitation

Soft Skills

CollaborationCommunicationProblem-SolvingFeedback FacilitationInclusivity Advocacy

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft Office SuiteIManageLegal Talent Management Systems

Industry Keywords

Law FirmProfessional ServicesDiversity and InclusionContinuing Legal EducationAssociate Development

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Working closely with practice group leadership and team members in both Professional Development and Legal Talent, the Associate Development Manager is primarily responsible for supporting associate staffing, utilization, integration and development.
Work with practice group leaders and partners in charge of staffing to manage the work allocation process for associates in the group
Monitor workloads and professional development of associates and help allocate new matters in a manner which ensures an equitable distribution of assignments consistent with the clients’ needs and the attorneys’ individual professional development goals
Track, aggregate and analyze associate metrics, including availability information and utilization rates.
Partner with practice group leaders and associates to ensure that individual goals relating to productivity are achieved and practice group productivity is maintained
Coordinate with practice group leaders and other supervising partners to identify staffing needs and hiring targets; partner with the Legal Talent team to ensure hiring efforts are supporting the goals and needs of the group
Support the associate performance review process by working with practice group leaders and Associate Review Committee members to ensure quality reviews are delivered in a timely fashion
Help monitor associate evaluations, prepare review delivery scripts and facilitate the delivery of formal reviews.
Work with associates to implement feedback received, collaborating with Professional Development team members to provide coaching, where necessary
Meet regularly with practice group leaders to identify high performing associates and associates who may be having specific challenges so that appropriate mentoring, training and other actions can be taken to address specific circumstances in a timely manner.
Facilitate frequent feedback between partners and associates
Partner with Legal Talent and other internal administrative departments to facilitate successful attorney on-boarding and integration, including conducting department orientation for new hires and building robust onboarding schedules.
Help conduct exit interviews such that the firm can leverage departing associate feedback to improve the associate experience
Collaborate with Professional Development and Legal Education team members to develop, enhance and implement legal and professional skills training programs and initiatives to support associate development
Collaborate with the firm’s Attorney Licensing and Compliance team members to ensure associates obtain and maintain their licensure requirements and engage in continuing legal education aligned with development goals
Collaborate with the firm's Diversity and Inclusion team to champion and implement initiatives and events.
Promote best practices in commitment to an inclusive culture and serve as a resource for diverse attorneys
Collaborate with HR/Wellness teams to promote the wellness of associates
All other duties as assigned or required

Requirements

What you’ll need

5 + years of direct experience with staffing and work allocation in a large law firm or professional services organization, or 5+ years combined law firm professional development and prior law practice experience, preferably in a large law firm environment
Senior level candidates must have 7+ years applicable experience in the field with 2+ years of exempt/management experience in relevant roles
After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage and other firm applications
Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
Ability to travel, as required
JD Degree

Benefits

Comp & perks

medical
health savings account (with applicable medical plan)
dental
vision
health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts
pre-tax commuter benefits
life insurance
AD&D
long-term care coverage
backup care for children and/or adults
other parental support benefits
firm-paid life insurance
AD&D
LTD
short term medical benefits
21 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”)
10 paid holidays each year
generous parental leave
fertility benefits