Manager of Associate and Student Programs, Vancouver (CLOSED)
About Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG is an international law firm with more than 1,500 client-facing professionals and over 2,100 business services team members in 19 cities around the world. The Firm delivers in-depth expertise in key global sectors and a full suite of legal services to its clients.
Gowling WLG (Canada) is the Canadian arm of Gowling WLG. With seven offices across Canada in Vancouver, Calgary, Waterloo Region, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, Gowling WLG (Canada) is one of the nation’s leading law firms. The Firm’s Vancouver office, which is highly recognized for business law, litigation, and intellectual property, enjoys over 80 legal professionals and incorporates a substantial international focus.
The Firm has been repeatedly recognized as a top employer, in part owing to its commitment to social responsibility and creating a positive work environment for its people. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are an integral part of the Firm’s core values. They are always striving to build a more equitable, engaging and rewarding workplace by attracting and retaining talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences.
The Opportunity
Manager of Associate and Student Programs
Reporting to the Director of Legal Talent and the General Manager, the Manager of Associate and Student Programs implements and manages comprehensive programs for Associates and Students in the Vancouver office. The Manager supports and advances the Firm’s overall talent management strategy for Associates and Students through recruitment, orientation, integration, evaluation, engagement, and retention.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Manage and administer the Firm’s Student evaluation process(es), and the annual Associate evaluation and compensation review processes, in conjunction with the Office Managing Partner and Practice Group Leaders.
Support Associate recruitment initiatives by working with Practice Group Leaders and Office Managing Partner to determine lateral hiring requirements, manage the recruitment process, prepare business cases for associate hires, etc.
Manage the Articling and Summer Student recruitment processes in support of the Vancouver Student Recruitment Committee to ensure the student recruitment process is in line with the Firm’s strategy, needs, and capacity.
Organize, coordinate and represent the Firm at various internal and external student recruitment functions and events, and represent and collaborate on presentations on behalf of the Firm at law school group visits.
Support the student hire back process, gather feedback from relevant professionals, carry out needs assessment, make hire back recommendations to Office Managing Partner and prepare business cases for hire backs.
Working with the Firm’s Manager of Learning and Development, implement the Firm’s orientation and training programs for Associates and Students (including Associate competencies and benchmarks training).
Working with the Firm’s Manager of Legal Talent Programs, implement the Firm’s work allocation program for Associates.
Manage and support integration, engagement and retention initiatives including by building relationships with Associates and Students, monitoring workloads, resolving issues as they arise, and liaising with Office Managing Partner, General Manager, Practice Group Leaders, work providers, and mentors as needed.
Implement and administer career development programs for Associates and assist in goal setting following the annual review process and follow up for accountability.
Implement and administer the Firm’s mentorship program for Associates and Students.
Implement and administer programs/outreach to support Associates and Students working in an agile and remote environment.
Work with Office Managing Partner and Practice Group Leaders as appropriate to help ensure that Associates are on track for success and are meeting or exceeding billable targets.
Assist as needed with associates meetings, professional secondments, and reporting requirements.
Oversee the delivery of social event programs for Associates and Law Students, as appropriate.
Liaise with the Law Society as necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements for students and principals.
In coordination with the other offices, manage the Firm’s involvement in law school sponsorships.
Create and adhere to annual associate and student programs budgets.
Other duties as required.
Essential Qualities and Experience
Our client inclusively welcomes experienced leaders with relevant skills to apply for the role, but will prioritize candidates who possess the following attributes:
University Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources or related field.
Law Degree is an asset.
A minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience, including leadership experience, preferably in a law firm and/or professional services industry.
Solid track record of building relationships, gaining deep industry knowledge and providing proactive and responsive solutions to business needs.
Aptitude to take care of clients’ needs in a professional and courteous manner.
Possesses strong communication skills, presentation skills and proven ability to coach individuals.
Experience working closely with internal clients on complex/sensitive issues and demonstrates discretion and ability to handle confidential and private information appropriately.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
Not sure if you meet all the requirements? If you are excited about this opportunity but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Search Process
This position is a key management role and the Firm will pay competitively commensurate with comparable opportunities. The search process may include conventional longlist, shortlist, and committee interview stages. We will request for finalists to offer comprehensive recent references and to complete a background check. We expect to complete our first review of applications by April 21, 2023.
Gowling WLG (Canada) is proud to offer equal employment opportunities, and actively encourages equity, diversity, and inclusion in its workplaces. Gowling WLG (Canada) welcomes applications from women, racialized persons, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual and gender identities, and all who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Gowling WLG (Canada) and Mosaic Executive Search throughout the recruitment, selection, and assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities.
This opportunity is jointly marketed by Mosaic Executive Search and Smith Legal Search.
Applications (cover letter and curriculum vitae) or nominations for the Manager of Associate and Student Programs opportunity with Gowling WLG (Canada) should be submitted in confidence to: info@mosaicsearch.ca
You are also welcome to email:
Dave Namkung (dave@mosaicsearch.ca)
