Lateral Partner Recruiting & Integration Manager

Cooley is seeking a Lateral Partner Recruiting & Integration Manager to join the Lateral Partner Hiring team.

Position summary: The Lateral Partner Recruiting & Integration Manager will lead the recruiting and integration activities for assigned practice group(s) within the Litigation or Business departments, under the supervision of the Director of Strategic Growth. This position works closely with the Director, Firm and Department leadership, Practice Group Managers, and Partners in Charge to drive the Firm’s broader growth strategy through lateral partner recruiting activities, including proactive candidate searches and opportunistic growth opportunities. This position also plays a critical role in the onboarding, orientation planning and integration activities for each new lateral partner. 

Position responsibilities:

• Work with department and Practice Group leadership to understand lateral partner needs and strategic growth priorities, and document the business case and required candidate criteria for each new partner search
• Conduct market research, create candidate target lists and work with hiring partners/working groups to source and recruit candidates prior to engaging with external talent acquisition partners
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with legal search firms; review and negotiate fee proposals and service agreements, and engage recruiters in the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of lateral partner candidates
• Manage candidate submissions globally, including reviewing and vetting with Director and appropriate Business Unit Leaders
• Manage the planning of candidate interviews and search firm meetings, including all necessary internal and external (headhunter and candidate) communication
• Ensure that partners are well informed about the candidate they are meeting, including why the candidate fits a strategic need, why the firm's platform would be beneficial for the candidate, and additional information that will help recruit the candidate
• Work with Practice Group leadership and sponsoring partners to develop and draft candidate memos
• Liaise with offices and departments globally to ensure smooth interviews and onboarding, orientation and integration activities
• Work with department leaders, partner integration sponsors and other departments globally to plan and execute a comprehensive integration plan for each new lateral
• Monitor current market trends and suggest new methodologies, programs, and practices that support the firm’s hiring objectives and are consistent with the firm culture
• Serve as direct supervisor and mentor to direct reports
• Provide day-to-day supervision of direct reports, ensure compliance with assigned work hours and monitor for compliance with all firm and department policies. Manage staffing coverage, review and process time logs/time off requests
• Support business professional development and continued educational opportunities
• In collaboration with immediate supervisor and CN HR, participate in hiring, performance appraisals, counseling, termination and other employee lifecycle events
• All other duties as assigned or required

Skills and experience:

Required:

• 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
• 5+ years direct applicable experience (e.g., progressively responsible experience in recruiting in a law firm or professional services organization)
• Eligible for Senior designation with 7+ years direct applicable experience (e.g., progressively responsible experience in recruiting in a law firm or professional services organization) with 2+ years of exempt/management experience in relevant roles.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Supervisory experience

Competencies:

• Demonstrated understanding of legal market dynamics, recruiting best practices, and industry standards and norms
• Very strong relationship and project management skills; excellent communication and presentation skills and being team-oriented
• Strong business acumen; understanding of issues impacting the legal industry
• Ability to develop actionable recommendations and implementation plans; commitment to collaboration and comfortable taking initiative
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in all situations
• Ability to guide through ambiguity and competing priorities
• Excellent project management and time management skills
• Exceptional written and communication skills

Cooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices.

EOE.

The expected annual pay range for this position with a full-time schedule is $140,000 - $190,000. Senior level candidates may be considered for this position and would be eligible for a higher salary range based on experience. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate.

We offer a full range of elective benefits including 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 and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 21 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.