Director, Associates

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Responsibility for the full lifecycle for associates and counsels in the Toronto office including recruitment, performance, development, succession, and retention.
• Developing, overseeing, and delivering performance management processes and providing feedback to legal professionals in their career development and coaching legal professionals on effective performance and development discussions.
• Collaborating with the Director, Professional Development & Learning and the training team on associate training programs, continuing professional development (CPD), and leadership training.
• Working closely with Firm management, practice group leaders and others on lateral recruitment and ensuring continued legal professional engagement.
• Managing associate and counsel leaves, secondments, and departures, including conducting exit interviews, when appropriate, to determine key reasons for departures with the goal of identifying opportunities for retention improvement.
• Responsibility for the annual compensation process for associates and counsel in collaboration with the Chief People Officer.
• Collaborating with other business services professionals and legal professionals on various projects.
• Working closely with the Counsel, Student Programs and Professional Resources who is responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, performance management, integration, and professional development of our summer and articling students. 
• Working with the Manager, Associates and Law Clerks as required for the management of day-to-day matters of Law Clerks and working with the inSource team as required for the management of inSource staff lawyers.
• Oversight of the budget for associates, ensuring accurate allocation of and expenses.

• Law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) required. 
• 10+ years of experience in a professional services environment, preferably within a large law firm environment.
• Experience in lawyer development, professional resources, or legal talent management.
• Strong understanding of law firm operations, and associate career progression.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, managing teams and complex initiatives.

• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Excellent mentoring skills with the ability to cultivate strong relationships.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced professional environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation and relationship-building skills and strong judgment.

Blakes welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. The Firm is committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment composed of people with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, identities and cultures. The Firm provides accommodation for applicants with disabilities and in respect of other protected grounds during the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws. Please contact us to request accommodation.

While our experienced team will select and interview successful candidates, Blakes may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist with shortlisting, screening, and evaluating applications.