Director, Legal Talent
Job Fit Check
Base Career helps you apply smarter for this job.
Key skills for this role
About the Role
Gowling WLG seeks a Director, Legal Talent to lead recruitment, development, and retention of associates within the Disputes Department. The role implements strategic talent initiatives and collaborates with shared services teams.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Implement and manage associate integration, engagement, retention, and career advancement initiatives
- Administer career development programs and mentorship for associates
- Manage associate evaluation and compensation review processes
- Lead lateral associate recruitment efforts including sourcing, screening, and offer management
- Monitor associate capacity and work allocation in collaboration with practice leaders
- Provide input into and monitor budget for associate and student programs
- Collaborate with department chair and practice leaders to shape legal talent strategies
Requirements
- JD or Bachelor's degree in law
- Minimum 5 years of experience as a lawyer in a law firm
- Prior experience in legal talent management or recruitment and professional development
- Exceptional people management and leadership skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Ability to be diplomatic and maintain confidentiality
- Strategic thinker with analytical and problem solving skills
- Bilingualism (French) is considered an asset
Full Job Posting
About Gowling WLG
- International law firm with offices in Canada, UK, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
- Values: Raise the Bar, Embrace Differences, Thrive Together.
Profile
- Director, Legal Talent leads recruitment, development, engagement, retention and career advancement of associates within the Disputes Department.
- Collaborates with shared services functions to implement strategic talent initiatives.
Associate Integration, Engagement & Career Development
- Implement and manage associate and student focused integration, engagement, retention and career advancement initiatives.
- Administer career development programs and mentorship program for associates.
- Monitor associate capacity and work allocation in collaboration with Department Chairs, Practice Group Leaders and Practice Directors.
Associate Performance Management & Compensation
- Manage and administer associate evaluation and compensation review processes.
- Review reporting on associate performance metrics to support decision making.
- Support associates in developing individual action/development plans.
Associate Recruitment & Complement Management
- Support associate recruitment initiatives and manage recruitment process.
- Lead lateral associate recruitment efforts including candidate sourcing, screening, interview coordination, business case development and offer management.
- Monitor associate complement and capacity levels.
Budget & Financial Management
- Provide input into and be accountable for associate and student programs budgets.
- Monitor budget performance for associate and student programs.
- Oversee expense management for associate and student programs.
Strategic Planning & Collaboration
- Collaborate with Department Chair, Practice Group Leaders and Practice Director to shape legal talent strategies.
- Partner with AI, Innovation and Knowledge team to optimize deployment of innovative practice tools.
- Identify opportunities to transform or optimize legal talent processes.
Qualifications
- JD or Bachelor's degree in law.
- Minimum 5 years of experience as a lawyer in a law firm.
- Prior experience in legal talent management or recruitment and professional development.
- Exceptional people management and leadership skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong project management, time management, administrative and organizational skills.
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem solving capabilities.
- Bilingualism (French) is considered an asset.
Benefits/Perks
- 100% employer paid health, dental, and mental health coverage plus annual lifestyle spending allowance.
- 15+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility.
- Parental leave top up for 26 weeks.
- Group Retirement Savings Plan with employer match.
- Financial protection through short & long term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance.
- Employee & Family Assistance Program and Mental Health First Aid responders.
Compensation
- Starting range: CAD 165,000 to CAD 205,000 per year.
- Starting salary determined based on location and may vary depending on job related knowledge, skills, experience, internal and market equity.
Apply for this job in 1 click
Skip the repetitive application forms
Install the Base Career Chrome Extension and autofill job applications across major job boards with your profile.
Trusted by over 500,000 job seekers on Base Career
More from this employer
More jobs at Gowling WLG
Information Security Compliance Analyst
Ottawa, CAN
Gowling WLG seeks an Information Security Compliance Analyst to manage client contractual security requirements, lead ISO 27001 audits, and oversee compliance with Canadian security programs (CGP, CSP). The role requires
Information Security Compliance Analyst
Calgary, CAN
Gowling WLG is seeking an Information Security Compliance Analyst to manage client contractual security requirements, lead responses to security assessments, and oversee ISO 27001 audits. The role also involves managing
CRM Coordinator
Ottawa, CAN
Gowling WLG is looking for a CRM Coordinator to support day-to-day CRM administration, data quality, and user support. The role involves maintaining data accuracy, preparing reports, and assisting with testing and traini