Chief People Officer

The Chief People Officer (CPO) will lead Morrison & Foerster’s global people strategy, integrating and aligning the Firm’s Human Resources, Attorney Talent, and We@MoFo (Inclusion and Engagement) teams. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the CPO will be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive, future-oriented strategy to attract, develop, retain, and inspire top legal and business professional talent while ensuring operational excellence, inclusion, and engagement across the Firm.

The CPO will be a key member of the Firm’s Senior Business Leadership Team, providing strategic direction on all matters involving people, culture, and talent. This individual will partner closely with the Firm’s Chair, Vice Chairs, General Counsel, Department Chairs, and Practice Group Leaders to advance the Firm’s people-first philosophy and drive organizational success.

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND ALIGNMENT

• Serve as the senior business executive responsible for Firmwide people strategy, ensuring alignment with business and growth objectives.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the COO, Chair, Vice Chairs, and Leadership on matters involving talent, culture, and inclusion.
• Lead integration of all people-related functions, ensuring cohesive strategy across HR, Attorney Talent, and We@MoFo.
• Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and innovation within the people organization.
• Design and champion a culture of learning at all levels with the goal of providing market-leading legal services to our clients.
• Develop, plan, direct, and implement global human resource and talent management strategies, policies, and programs for all attorneys and business professionals to enable the Firm to execute on its business strategy.

HUMAN RESOURCES AND OPERATIONS

• Responsible for all HR functions and teams (including compensation, benefits, retirement plans, employee relations, compliance, HRIS, and workforce planning) to ensure high performance, efficiency, compliance, and professional growth, leveraging technology and analytics for continuous improvement.
• In coordination with the General Counsel’s office, ensure compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations across jurisdictions.
• Ensure employee relations program responds to employee concerns and upholds the Firm values; serve as liaison to the Leadership team.
• Evaluate benefits programs proactively to ensure competitiveness and cost effectiveness; develop and implement new programs to address evolving needs.
• Continually monitor and ensure the Firm’s business professional career pathways, development opportunities, and compensation structure are attractive to top candidates and ensure competitiveness with comparable firms and industries.
• Evaluate the performance feedback systems and drive enhancements to improve engagement, fairness, and accountability.

ATTORNEY TALENT AND DEVELOPMENT

• Responsible for all attorney hiring (entry-level, lateral, and partner), onboarding, professional development, and performance management initiatives.
• Collaborate with Department Chairs and Practice Group Leaders on lateral partner and associate recruitment and integration strategies; identify and implement strategic lateral recruiting practices and processes integrated across the organization, working to identify talent needs, career pathways, and succession planning strategies.
• Oversee attorney evaluation and compensation programs, ensuring fairness, transparency, and alignment with Firm objectives.
• Foster a culture of mentorship, growth, and leadership development.
• Ensure we are supporting the lifelong career journey of our talent with market-leading career development and advisory services.

INCLUSION, ENGAGEMENT, AND CULTURE

• Champion diversity, inclusion, and belonging across all offices and teams.
• Oversee the We@MoFo Center of Excellence to promote inclusion, engagement and workplace experience.
• Ensure representation and belonging are embedded in all aspects of the Firm’s talent strategy.
• Build programs that strengthen the Firm’s values, morale, and community.
• Advise Firm Leadership regarding inclusion, engagement, and opportunity for all attorneys and business professionals; serve as a key participant in processes designed to address individual productivity, work assignments, and engagement programs that promote connectivity and culture.

TALENT STRATEGY AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT

• Lead large-scale change initiatives including organizational design, office engagement and hybrid work strategies, and culture transformation.
• Partner with business leaders on succession planning, leadership development, and workforce forecasting.
• Design and implement metrics-driven talent programs that enhance engagement and retention.
• Ensure that the Talent and Human Resources teams are maintaining a best-in-class ability to recruit, retain, and promote highly qualified lawyers and business professionals.
• Report regularly to Firm Leadership about talent programs and innovations, as well as emerging trends in law firms and other professional service organizations.
• Conduct professional training sessions and develop curriculum as needed and serve as a champion for the training and development of, and investment in, talent at every level of the Firm; ensure effective programs that maximize professional growth.

BUDGETING AND GOVERNANCE

• Develop and manage the people organization’s budget, ensuring alignment with Firm priorities and fiscal discipline.
• Establish policies, governance structures, and risk management processes to ensure consistency and compliance across all people-related areas.
• Ensure staffing models and ratios are optimal and aligned with the Firm’s strategic goals and profitability objectives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, JD, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience in Human Resources, Talent, or People Operations, ideally within sophisticated professional services firms or companies known for excellence in global HR functions or AmLaw 100 environment.
• Proven success leading large, matrixed people organizations with global, multi-office scope.
• Demonstrated expertise in inclusion, leadership development, and change management.
• Knowledge of OSHA, wage and hour laws, EEO regulations, and global employment practices relevant to jurisdictions where the Firm operates.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strategic and analytical thinker with ability to translate vision into execution.
• Deep understanding of HR operations, attorney talent dynamics, and inclusion strategy, with a proven ability to design and administer global HR policies, compensation, performance appraisal programs, benefits, employee relations, and full lifecycle recruiting.
• Demonstrated experience with HRIS systems and analytics; ability to define and apply data-driven measures to guide talent strategy and decision-making.
• Executive presence with strong influencing, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
• Exceptional communication, integrity, and discretion in handling sensitive matters.
• Strong financial knowledge and experience managing complex budgets.
• Commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in people practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, and proven success working effectively with lawyers, leadership, and staff at all levels.

LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES

• Visionary leadership and ability to drive organizational alignment.
• Business acumen and strategic partnership capability.
• Inclusive and empathetic leadership that inspires trust and belonging.
• Results-driven orientation with ability to execute across multiple priorities.
• High resilience, adaptability, problem-solving and judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, innovation, and continuous improvement in a complex, consensus-driven environment.

• About Us: https://www.mofo.com/about
• Diversity + Inclusion: https://careers.mofo.com/careers-diversity
• Commitment to Pro Bono: https://careers.mofo.com/careers-pro-bono
• The MoFo Foundation: https://www.mofo.com/culture/mofo-foundation

• A variety of options for medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage to meet the needs of you and your family.
• Industry-leading parental leave and family benefits including adoption and fertility treatment options and backup child and elder care.
• Global wellness program, including free access to Talkspace and Calm apps.
• Annual community service day to make an impact on your community and a birthday holiday just for fun.
• Education reimbursement annually.
• Dedicated Talent Development team.
• Competitive annual profit-sharing contribution.

Where required by law, salary ranges are stated below. To eligible employees, the Firm also provides a competitive discretionary bonus program, market leading health/welfare benefits, retirement contributions, paid holidays, and generous PTO. The range displayed is specifically for positions performed in those cities/states and may vary based on factors including but not limited to the following: local market data and ranges; an applicant's skills and prior relevant experience; and certain degrees, licensing, and certifications.

New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. salary range: $500k to $800k