Senior Professional Development Specialist

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

. Support professional staffing and development of associates and counsel within the Energy & Infrastructure practice .

Posted 10/7/2026full-timeNew York City • New York • United StatesSenior💰 $110,000 - $130,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in staffing and resource allocation within the legal sector, with a strong focus on relationship building, performance management, and compliance with professional policies. Proficient in utilizing staffing databases and metrics to enhance operational efficiency and support professional development initiatives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Staffing Resource AllocationLegal Talent ManagementPerformance Review CoordinationStrong Communication SkillsOrganizational Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Staffing Database ManagementUtilization ReportingResource PlanningData AnalysisLegal AI Familiarity

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingCollaborationDiscretion with Confidential InformationSelf-DirectionAttention to Detail

Tools & Technologies

WordOutlookExcelPowerPointLegal Personnel Applications

Industry Keywords

Energy & InfrastructureLaw Firm ExperienceProfessional DevelopmentCLE ComplianceTalent Reviews

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support professional staffing and development of associates and counsel within the Energy & Infrastructure practice
Monitor attorney utilization and help maintain equitable staffing levels
Evaluate staffing requests and recommend resource allocation based on availability, experience, skills, utilization, and desired matter exposure
Build rapport with mid-senior associates through in-person meetings, telephone calls, and Zoom meetings
Maintain consistency and equitable distribution of assignments
Maintain and analyze staffing databases, utilization reports, charts, and related metrics
Monitor availability and utilization trends and prepare staffing and resource-planning reports and recommendations
Coordinate cross-office staffing, secondments, and other staffing initiatives
Coordinate onboarding activities, staffing introductions, welcome meetings, lunches, communications, and integration activities
Update group lists and onboarding resources
Monitor absence time, maintain vacation calendars, coordinate coverage, and track vacation carryover
Develop professional relationships through regular check-ins and identify engagement, retention, staffing, and professional development opportunities or concerns
Pair associates and counsel with mentors and partner advisors and monitor ongoing engagement
Provide feedback loops among associates/counsel, Legal Talent, and practice-group partners
Plan and facilitate team-building events
Monitor compliance with firm and professional policies, including CLE and bar exam requirements
Support performance reviews, evaluations, developmental objectives, feedback intake, talent reviews, and related materials and analyses
Coordinate with professional services team members on practice-group initiatives
Maintain accurate staffing and talent-management data and reporting
Work on ad hoc projects as needed
Report primarily to the Manager, Legal Talent, with a secondary reporting line to the Firm's Director, Legal Training and Development

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree preferred; advanced experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
4 to 5 years of relevant experience, including prior experience in a law firm and/or staffing experience
Strong oral and written communication skills
Superior judgment and ability to deal discreetly with confidential information
Ability to interact well and build professional relationships with a collaborative approach
Ability to self-direct, manage multiple priorities, analyze needs and implement solutions
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Experience with Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and other legal personnel and recruiting applications
Legal AI familiarity preferred
Flexibility to adjust hours to meet departmental needs
Professionalism and quality service to internal firm members/departments, external clients, and vendors
Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hybrid work arrangement
Exempt position (not overtime pay eligible)