CMS Law
Partner Development and Performance Lead Fixed Term Contract
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Partner Development & Performance Lead (Fixed-Term Contract)
This is a newly created role with direct access to the Chief People Officer and the opportunity to shape an important area of the firm's people strategy. As CMS continues to strengthen its approach to partner performance, leadership development, succession planning and the wider partner lifecycle, you will help translate strategic priorities into practical and sustainable solutions.
Working closely with senior leaders across the firm, you will develop frameworks, programmes and insights that support partners at every stage of their career. From performance and leadership development through to succession planning and future leadership pipelines, your work will influence both individual success and the long-term strength of the partnership.
This role will suit someone who combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, enjoys building new approaches and can establish credibility with senior stakeholders across a complex and professional environment.
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.
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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.
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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?
This is an opportunity to work at the centre of a significant strategic agenda and help shape how partner performance, leadership and succession are developed across the firm.
You'll work closely with senior leaders, influence key decisions and help build frameworks and programmes that support the future success of the partnership.
What’s in it for you?
We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:
- Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
- Flexible, hybrid working policy
- Generous bonus scheme
- Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
- Holiday exchange scheme
- Private medical insurance
- Enhanced parental leave
- Reasonable adjustments and accommodation for disabled talent in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.
Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.
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