Lead Career Counseling Manager - San Diego - Cooley

Description

Lead Career Counseling Manager

Cooley is excited to invite applications for the role of Lead Career Counseling Manager as part of our Professional Development team.

Hybrid Schedule: At Cooley, we believe in the power of in-person collaboration for building strong relationships, while also recognizing the value of remote work. Therefore, employees typically operate on a hybrid schedule, balancing time in the office with remote days, unless their role requires a full five-day in-office presence.

Position Summary: The Lead Career Counseling Manager will create and oversee the Cooley Career Counseling Office, a dynamic resource hub aimed at supporting attorneys as they consider and prepare for career opportunities beyond Cooley. This pivotal role will provide invaluable career navigation assistance, personalized job search support, and curated programming to help attorneys identify and pursue fulfilling career paths. The ideal candidate will possess a strong advising background, in-depth knowledge of legal and adjacent career paths, exceptional communication skills, and a commitment to facilitating meaningful professional transitions for lawyers. This is an outstanding opportunity to shape a high-impact resource within the firm and engage with attorneys during critical career junctures.

Key Responsibilities:

• One-on-One Career Counseling:
  • Offer confidential advising to attorneys interested in exploring roles outside the firm, including in-house, public sector, nonprofit, and alternative legal or business paths.
  • Guide attorneys in career exploration, decision-making, and transition planning.
  • Provide customized feedback on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, personal narratives, and job search strategies.
  • Conduct mock interview sessions, preparing attorneys for every stage of the hiring process, from screenings to senior-level negotiations.
• Job Board Management:
  • Manage and enhance a curated job board featuring in-house positions, government roles, secondments, and alumni-submitted opportunities.
  • Develop connections with legal recruiters, in-house counsel, and alumni to source new listings.
  • Facilitate appropriate introductions and networking opportunities.
• Panels, Programs & Workshops:
  • Create career-focused programming, including:
    • Panels featuring alumni and industry leaders.
    • Webinars on transitioning strategies (e.g., in-house roles, business acumen).
• Secondment Program Support:
  • Maintain a list of secondee interest.
  • Collaborate with the Associate Director of Legal Talent to identify, deploy, and reintegrate secondees.
• Alumni & Client Relationship Integration:
  • Partner with the Marketing team to connect departing attorneys with the firm's alumni support team.
  • Work with the Business Development team to identify areas where the Career Counseling Office can enhance client engagement.
  • Provide career support services to Cooley alumni.
• Market Intelligence & Reporting:
  • Monitor hiring trends in in-house departments and legal markets.
  • Share insights with Legal Talent and firm leadership to inform strategic planning.
  • Maintain metrics on counseling volume, outcomes, and placements.
• Additional Responsibilities:
  • Serve as a mentor and supervisor for direct reports.
  • Oversee the day-to-day functions of the team, ensuring compliance with policies and managing staffing coverage.
  • Support ongoing professional development and educational opportunities.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Associate Development and HR in various employee lifecycle events.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Proficient in the Microsoft Office suite, with experience in iManage and other firm applications following onboarding.
• Willingness to work extended hours or weekends as needed.
• Ability to travel as required.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in areas such as:
  • Attorney professional development.
  • Career counseling/coaching.
  • Attorney recruiting.
  • Legal practice (in-house or law firm).
  • Alumni relations or legal career services.
• Demonstrated experience in advising attorneys on career transitions, ideally including moves to in-house roles.
• Familiarity with legal markets and corporate hiring needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and/or JD degree.
• Experience in a supervisory role.

Competencies:

• Exhibit professionalism and use initiative, diplomacy, and tact.
• Ability to make independent, principled decisions.
• Act as a trusted advisor, earning confidence from lawyers and leadership.
• High emotional intelligence and sensitivity in career conversations.
• Strategic thinking regarding attorney development and transitions.
• Comprehensive understanding of legal career paths, both within and outside law firms.
• Experience coaching lawyers, especially those transitioning to in-house roles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; provide supportive feedback.
• Skilled in resume writing, interview coaching, and narrative development.
• Ability to establish relationships across various practice groups and seniority levels.
• Comfortable interacting with alumni, clients, and external partners.
• Aptitude for developing educational programs, workshops, and resources.
• Organizational skills to manage multiple counseling relationships and track relevant data.
• Ability to handle sensitive information discreetly.

Cooley is committed to providing a competitive compensation package and excellent benefits. The expected annual pay range for this position is between $155,000 and $225,000, depending on geographic location and the candidate's experience and skillset.

We offer a comprehensive range of benefits including medical, health savings accounts, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and more. Additionally, employees enjoy 21 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) and 10 paid holidays each year, alongside generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will participate in an orientation that details our many benefits and resources.