Talent Development Manager

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced learning and development (‘L&D’) or talent management specialist to join our London office as a Senior Talent Business Partner. You will play a pivotal role in shaping our firmwide approach to performance, development and talent. This role will act as a trusted business partner to leaders across our UK and international network, providing strategic insight, driving key talent programmes, and ensuring our people have the skills, support and development they need to thrive. You will have the opportunity to influence firmwide cultural initiatives, build high‑impact learning and leadership interventions, collaborate with senior stakeholders, and continuously evolve our talent strategy in line with the firm’s values and future workforce priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Performance, Feedback & Development Culture: Support the firm’s performance and development approach, including drafting performance‑related documents and contributing to communications that drive engagement. Produce key materials such as check‑in guidance, role expectations, 360° content, objective templates, and system guidance. Support annual promotion processes, ensuring documentation, marking frames, briefings and communications are accurate and up to date. Prepare and update partner performance materials, including banding documents and self‑input forms.
• Learning & Development Programmes: Lead the design, delivery, and management of firmwide L&D initiatives and development frameworks. Oversee the Lawyer Foundation Programme and Associate Technical Training Programme, working closely with the Senior Project Coordinator on design, delivery and communications. Manage international collaboration programmes (e.g., Global Associate Learning). Oversee family and career development initiatives and partner coaching. Lead or support talent programmes (Pre‑Partner, Career Sponsorship, Senior Lawyer Development) as required. Provide project management support for the Activator Programme and manage annual FSP Induction. Design and deliver team‑building sessions. Oversee the firm's relationship with LinkedIn Learning.
• Talent Management: Liaise with Senior HR Business Partners on recruitment and nominations for talent programmes. Report on talent tracker data in collaboration with the project manager.
• Retirement Support: Manage the annual Preparing for the Future programme for retiring partners, including external supplier liaison and coaching support. Manage the firmwide coaching scheme, including coach matching, documentation and delivery. Lead design and delivery of reverse mentoring (when active). Provide guidance on the Verve and Alumni mentoring schemes. Oversee family and career leave coaching with internal and external partners.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Contribute to D&I initiatives as required, including Inclusive Teams sessions and inclusive leadership programmes.
• Firmwide Induction: Partner with the Senior Project Coordinator on day‑one induction, monthly delivery, and induction materials. Support smooth induction for lateral hire partners.
• General Responsibilities: Provide business partnering support across international Senior/HR Business Partner teams. Contribute L&D and talent information for pitches, awards, audits, and accreditations. Manage the L&D budget. Advise on client training requests. Coordinate HR communications for firmwide HR initiatives. Manage day‑to‑day work of the Senior Project Coordinator and (currently) the L&D Coordinator, working closely with the learning administration and HR systems teams. Maintain and update L&D policies and procedures. Oversee supplier management for L&D provision. Support the Global Engagement Survey, including design, communications, deployment, analysis and recommendation development. Lead or support additional projects as required.

Skills & Experience

We’re looking for the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrable experience in learning and development or talent management ideally in a professional services environment.
• Ability to design, deliver and evaluate development programmes and talent initiatives.
• Experience of influencing senior stakeholders and providing credible, data‑informed recommendations.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliver high‑quality outputs at pace.
• Significant experience of producing guidance, communications, frameworks and performance‑related materials.
• Ability to analyse talent and engagement data, identify trends and translate insights into actionable plans.
• A collaborative working style, with the confidence to influence, challenge and build trusted relationships across all levels.
• Experience managing suppliers, external coaches, consultants or training providers.
• High levels of discretion and professional judgement when working with confidential or sensitive information.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We’re fair, transparent and equitable.
• We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance.
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working.
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs.
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross‑function exposure.
• We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together. We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations. Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process. We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.