Partner Development & Performance Lead (Fixed-Term Contract)

What you'll do

Partner Performance

• Lead the continued development of the firm's approach to partner performance.
• Design and embed frameworks that support meaningful performance conversations, clear expectations and consistency across practice groups.
• Provide insight and analysis on partner contribution, performance trends and capacity.
• Work with Practice Group Leaders and Executive Team stakeholders to support effective performance management.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen partner effectiveness, engagement and commercial impact.

Leadership Development

• Develop and deliver the firm's leadership development approach for partners and senior leaders.
• Work with Learning & Development colleagues to design programmes focused on people leadership, client relationships, commercial effectiveness and firm leadership.
• Build development pathways for future Practice Group Leaders and other key leadership positions.
• Support coaching, mentoring and peer learning opportunities across the partnership.

Talent and Succession

• Lead the firm's approach to partner succession planning.
• Facilitate talent and succession discussions across practice groups and business areas.
• Develop frameworks that support the identification and development of future firm leaders.
• Support career development conversations for partners at different stages of their careers.
• Use data and insight to inform talent decisions and long-term workforce planning.

Partner Lifecycle

• Develop a more connected approach to the partner lifecycle, including onboarding, integration, development, progression and retirement planning.
• Enhance the experience of newly promoted and lateral partners through structured programmes and support.
• Help accelerate partner contribution through effective integration and development initiatives.

Insight and Continuous Improvement

• Develop meaningful people and performance insights that support decision-making.
• Monitor external trends and emerging practice in leadership, professional services and partnership management.
• Evaluate programme effectiveness and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Improve processes, increase efficiency and enhance the overall partner experience.

Stakeholder Leadership

• Build trusted relationships with Executive Team members, Practice Group Leaders, senior partners and HR colleagues.
• Influence and challenge constructively to support effective people and business decisions.
• Lead strategic projects that support delivery of the People Strategy.
• Work collaboratively with Learning & Development, HR Business Partnering, Reward, Talent Acquisition, People Operations, People Analytics and the Partnership Office.

What you'll bring

Essential

• Experience designing and delivering talent, leadership, performance or succession initiatives within a professional services, partnership or similarly complex environment.
• The ability to develop strategy and translate it into practical, sustainable solutions.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and influencing at executive level.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and insight to shape decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, facilitation and relationship-building skills.
• Strong project leadership skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Desirable

• Experience working with partner populations, senior leaders or executive teams.
• Knowledge of leadership development, talent management and succession planning best practice.
• Experience within legal, financial or other professional services organisations.

Why join this role?