Job Summary & Objectives
The Manager, Strategic Training Initiatives - M&A is a member of the Legal Talent team, and plays a vital role in developing and delivering high-impact training that supports the growth and excellence of associates in the M&A practice. The role combines subject matter expertise in M&A law with the ability to design, deliver, and evaluate training programs tailored to the development needs of associates at all levels. The Manager, Strategic Training Initiatives - M&A will work closely with practice group leadership, partners, and cross-functional teams to ensure that training is aligned with the practice’s strategic goals and evolving market and legal trends. This is a proactive, detail-oriented position for someone who is passionate about teaching and committed to the continuous improvement of legal education.
Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities
Training Needs Assessment and Curriculum Development
Identify practice-specific training needs aligned with the substantive legal skills and knowledge required at each level of associate development, including junior, mid, and senior associates.
Develop and maintain a dynamic, annual curriculum of training programs tailored to each associate level.
Continuously evaluate and update training curricula to ensure they remain relevant, practical, and aligned with evolving substantive learning needs.
Content Creation
Create training content for in-person, virtual, and on-demand delivery, including detailed case studies, templates, practical exercises, slides, and facilitator guides.
Embed the firm’s practice-specific tools and technologies directly into hands-on training to ensure associates learn legal content in the context of the systems and workflows they will use in real-world deal work.
Design and deliver training that simulates real-world deal scenarios and encourages active problem-solving.
Develop content for client CLEs, as needed.
Training Delivery
Co-facilitate live trainings with Partners and Associates, primarily supporting interactive exercises to enhance practical application of legal concepts.
Deliver 1:1 or small group training to associates who require targeted development, with a particular focus on lateral hires and associates for whom a particular development need has been identified.
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
Collaborate closely with the M&A Practice Group Head, Partners, Associates, and members of the Legal Talent and Knowledge teams.
Serve as a subject matter expert and trusted source of knowledge within the M&A practice.
Training Evaluation and Legal Awareness
Measure the effectiveness of training through meetings with associates and partners, feedback surveys and other relevant metrics to ensure that training programs are meeting the needs of the associates and the practice.
Stay informed about changes in law and trends in the M&A market, and incorporate relevant updates into training content and materials as appropriate.
Education
JD with 6+ years of related experience in a law firm
Skills and Experience
JD with 6+ years of M&A practice-related experience in a large law firm
Strong oral and written communication skills
Ability to interact well and build professional relationships while maintaining confidentiality; collaborative approach to working with others of all seniority levels
Strong interest in professional development
Ability to self-direct, manage multiple priorities, analyze needs and implement solutions
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for both long and short-term projects and responsibilities
Highly motivated, proactive, and driven self-starter that demonstrates ownership, initiative, a strong work ethic, and commitment to the role and firm
Must be team oriented, contributing as needed on unexpected projects or requests
High proficiency with all MS Office Suite products
Physical Demands(required to perform essential job functions)
Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Sitting: Remaining in the seated position, particularly for sustained periods of time
Work Environment
The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions as in typical office or administrative work (normal light, air and space in the work environment).
Salary Information
NY Only: The estimated base salary range for this position is $200,000 to $275,000 at the time of posting.
The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible.
Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.
Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.
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