Senior Professional Development Specialist

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to work for one of the top law firms in the U.S.! Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is looking for a Senior Professional Development Specialist to join our team in our Seattle or Portland offices. We offer a hybrid work engagement with three days of remote work, and two days in-office. The Senior Professional Development Specialist plays a strategic and hands-on role in supporting and enhancing the professional growth and career development of the firm’s attorneys. This position will work within the training, performance management, career development or integration initiatives. The Senior Specialist collaborates with internal stakeholders to ensure the development needs of attorneys across levels and practice groups are met through career development initiatives and programming. At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion. DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.

Responsibilities

• Oversee DWT Mentoring program and Attorney Parental Leave Transition program through coordination of tracking new hires, communicating with firm leaders and attorneys regarding mentor pairings, and maintaining list of current mentor pairings (including maintenance of the mentor tracking program).
• Update tip sheets and other materials relating to attorney integration and mentorship.
• Oversee Path to Partnership+ meetings through communication with practice group leaders, scheduling meetings, and preparing materials for meetings; update tip sheets and other materials relating to these meetings.
• Review and approve reimbursement requests for mentorship budget.
• Work with the Senior Director of Talent Development & Training and Senior Manager of PD to support and coordinate annual partnership admission process and bi-annual counsel elevation process with firm leadership and other administrative departments.
• Work with the Senior Director of Talent Development & Training to prepare materials for annual pipeline and strategic workflow meetings.
• Comply with all DWT policies and understand and stay aligned with firm goals and strategic plan.
• Effectively communicate, through written and oral communication, and collaborate with key stakeholders including attorneys and other business professionals.
• Coordinate and improve relevant workflows.
• Deliver high quality work product independently and in collaboration with others.
• Perform additional tasks as needed.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in attorney professional development or training ideally within an AmLaw 100 or large professional services firm.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of law firm environments and the career progression of attorneys.

Skills

• Excellent program and project management skills, including ability to manage competing priorities.
• Superior interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail, confidentiality, and ability to work independently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and learning/tracking platforms.
• Client-focused mindset with a collaborative and proactive approach to problem‑solving.

Benefits

• Choice of health and vision insurance plans
• 2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work
• Dental plan
• Fertility and adoption benefit
• Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service
• Tuition reimbursement
• Commuter benefits
• Retirement contribution
• Bonus eligibility for full‑time employees
• Health insurance with optional HSA
• Long term disability
• Vision care
• Telemedicine and virtual short‑term solution based