Jennifer Cook Johnson
Northampton,Massachusetts
Summary
Dynamic HR executive skilled in establishing comprehensive talent development and operational strategies that enhance organizational performance. Successfully built foundational HR systems, standardized employee processes, and implemented innovative compliance solutions, resulting in improved integration and team engagement across all levels.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director of Operations & Talent Development
Diversity Lab
MA, MA
12.2022 - 04.2026
- Led the full HR, talent development, and operational strategy for a mission-driven organization focused on innovation and equity in the legal profession — building the people function from the ground up and creating the systems, policies, and culture infrastructure that now supports the entire organization.
- Standardized the full employee lifecycle from end to end — recruiting, hiring, onboarding, development, and offboarding — to improve integration, consistency, and team experience at every stage.
- Designed and implemented the company's first competency framework, job levels structure, and annual performance review and goal-setting processes — giving the team clarity on expectations, growth pathways, and where to focus development energy.
- Implemented SixFifty as HR compliance engine, reducing reliance on outside counsel; drafted separation agreements and universal policies (bereavement, voting/election leave, whistleblower protections) to ensure compliance and support organizational needs.
- Acted as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Committee by delivering salary benchmarking, benefits analyses, evaluation summaries, and leave payout data that directly informed business decisions and cost-saving measures.
- Coached new supervisors on performance evaluation and goal-setting, while securing and managing GK Training partnership to enhance team-wide communication and public speaking skills.
- Pioneered AI in talent processes by creating candidate scoring templates for the OnRamp evaluation system, improving hiring consistency and saving significant staff time.
- Oversaw company operations, including software management, vendor partnerships, security protocols, and payroll coordination, culminating in successful HubSpot implementation after a comprehensive 9-platform CRM evaluation.
- Built the organization's first employee handbook, establishing foundational policies, tone, and people systems infrastructure.
- A mission-driven organization focused on innovation and equity in the legal profession.
Director of Professional Development
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
Washington, DC
12.2007 - 06.2021
- Advanced from Manager to Director over 13+ years, ultimately leading the firmwide talent development function for a global law firm — directing a team of 14, co-chairing two firm committees, and serving as the strategic architect of attorney development in close partnership with firm leadership.
- Built, led, and developed a firmwide professional development team of 14 — setting strategy, managing workloads across offices, and cultivating a team culture defined by collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Co-led Professional Development Committee and New Associate Committee, collaborating with firm partners and associates to shape and align firmwide development strategy and priorities.
- Designed and operationalized comprehensive career development framework for associates, clarifying expectations, milestones, and growth pathways from first-year through senior associate.
- Launched Trial School and Deal School — experiential, learn-by-doing programs that filled a meaningful gap in the curriculum, giving associates practical courtroom and transaction experience before they needed it in client matters.
- Continually redesigned the Summer Associate Training Forum, New Associate Retreat, Mid-Level Leadership Forum, and Senior Associate Leadership School — updating content and format each cycle based on direct partner and associate input, evaluation data, and evolving firm priorities.
- Built systematic feedback channels with partners and associates to inform program development, ensuring offerings reflected actual attorney needs.
- Directed all CLE accreditation, tracking, and compliance across a multi-office global firm; managed departmental budget, vendors, technology platforms, and confidential associate records.
- Applied program evaluation, attendance, and CLE data consistently to assess effectiveness, identify gaps, and drive year-over-year improvement across the full portfolio.
Director of Education
National Association of Law Placement (NALP)
Washington, DC
06.2001 - 12.2007
- Led national education strategy for the professional association serving legal talent and career development professionals — directing development and delivery of all educational programming.
- Directed the full educational program portfolio including 90+ concurrent sessions at the Annual Education Conference — overseeing content strategy, speaker selection, logistics, marketing, and post-conference evaluation.
- Expanded MCLE opportunities across membership and enhanced educational portfolio based on member needs, utilizing evaluation data and feedback to improve content relevance and quality.
- Designed and implemented a formal RFP process that increased member participation, diversified program topics, and significantly expanded educational offerings for members in professional development roles.
- Coordinated and produced print and online marketing for educational programs while facilitating planning meetings with staff and volunteer leaders to develop high-quality professional content.
- A professional association serving legal talent and career development professionals.
Director of Communications & Meetings
AALU (now Finseca)
Falls Church, VA
01.1999 - 01.2001
Senior Project Associate
NCEMCH / Georgetown University
Arlington, VA
01.1995 - 01.1999
Education
Human Resources Essentials Certificate - Ithaca, NY
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY12-2023
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MAAmherst, MA
Skills
- Talent Development & L&D
- Performance Management
- HR Strategy & Operations
- Change Management
- Organizational Development
- Total Rewards Strategy
- Executive Partnership
- Regulatory Compliance
- Lifecycle design
- Team Leadership & Coaching
Affiliations
- Volunteer, MGB Cooley Dickinson Hospital's Development Committee (2023-Present)
- Volunteer, Bikes Fight Cancer (2024-Present)
Timeline
Senior Director of Operations & Talent Development
Diversity Lab
12.2022 - 04.2026
Director of Professional Development
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
12.2007 - 06.2021
Director of Education
National Association of Law Placement (NALP)
06.2001 - 12.2007
Director of Communications & Meetings
AALU (now Finseca)
01.1999 - 01.2001
Senior Project Associate
NCEMCH / Georgetown University
01.1995 - 01.1999
Human Resources Essentials Certificate - Ithaca, NY
Cornell University
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Massachusetts