Director, Associate Talent (Alberta)

Bennett Jones

Ranked a Best Employer in Canada for 25 years, Bennett Jones is one of Canada’s premier business law firms and home to 450 lawyers and business advisors. With deep experience in complex transactions and litigation matters, and offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver and New York, the firm is well equipped to advise businesses and investors with Canadian ventures and connect Canadian businesses and investors with opportunities around the world. Serving clients since 1922, we are proud to be the firm that businesses trust with their most complex legal matters.

The Role

The Director, Associate Talent (Alberta) is responsible for the development, engagement, performance management, and retention of associates in the Calgary office, while supporting these efforts in the Edmonton office. This role plays a central role in shaping the associate experience and supporting lawyers in their progression toward partnership. Working closely with the Chief, Legal Talent and national talent leadership, this role ensures alignment with firm-wide associate standards, competency frameworks, and development programming, while tailoring strategies to meet local market needs.

This role supports lateral associate recruitment in collaboration with practice group leaders and provides a strategic link to student recruitment, contributing to hireback decisions and ensuring alignment between early talent decisions and long-term associate strategy.

Essential Functions

Associate Development, Coaching & Engagement:

Provide confidential coaching and career guidance to associates at key career stages, includingtransition from junior to mid-level and progression toward partnership
Act as a trusted advisor to associates on development, performance, and career progression
Support associates in developing business development, client service, leadership, andpartnership-readiness skills
Identify high-potential associates and contribute to succession planning discussions
Monitor associate workflow distribution and access to client opportunities to support equitabledevelopment experiences
Lead and support associate engagement and culture initiatives within the Calgary office
Manage the Calgary Associate Mentoring Program

Performance Management

Lead the associate performance review process (mid-year and annual) in Calgary and support the Edmonton office
Ensure consistent application of national competency frameworks and evaluation tools
Facilitate review discussions and support partners in delivering effective, development-focused feedback
Provide informed perspective in partnership readiness and advancement discussions

Associate Talent & Pipeline Strategy

Support lateral associate recruitment in collaboration with practice group leaders
Partner with leadership to assess associate needs and support longer-term workforce planning
Contribute to the integration of lateral hires to support early engagement and success
Maintain alignment between student recruitment, hireback decisions, and long-term associate needs

Collaboration With Firm Leadership

Serve as a strategic advisor to office leadership and practice groups on associate-related matters, including engagement, performance, and talent planning
Contribute to onboarding strategies that position new associates for long-term success

Professional Development & Programming

Collaborate with national talent leadership to support associate development programming
Identify local development needs and contribute to national program design
Oversee coordination of Calgary-based continuing legal education (CLE) programming
Support alignment with Edmonton and national programming initiatives

Qualifications

Education and Experience

LLB or JD degree
Called to the Bar in a Canadian jurisdiction for a minimum of 3 years
Experience within a law firm environment, ideally in a large firm setting, with exposure to associate development, professional development, or talent-related initiatives, and a strong understanding of legal markets are considered assets

Apply To

Darcy Legros

Chief, Legal Talent Officer

Bennett Jones Services Limited Partnership

E-mail: ***email_hidden***