Associate Director, Practice Management - (1736)
Position Overview:
The Associate Director of Global Practice Management will provide administrative, financial, and operational support for the law firm's practice group. This role will collaborate with various departments within the firm, including Financial Services, BD/Marketing, Talent Management, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Facilities. The Associate Director will also serve as a sounding board for the Practice Group Leader(s) and other members of the group on management and operational issues.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Primary:
Financial Management:
- Prepare monthly analyses for practice leadership on the group's year-to-date and month-to-date performance, highlighting noteworthy accomplishments and areas requiring attention.
- Monitor lawyer utilization and flag any outliers for the Practice Group Leader(s) and Talent Lead(s).
- Assist with monitoring and approving write-offs, making it easier to identify and address issues and trends.
- Serve on the Firm's Collections Committee and play a significant role in billings and collections activities for the practice group.
- Help develop annual revenue and expense budgets and periodically reforecast to ensure budget assumptions remain valid.
- Review and approve practice group expenses.
- Assist Practice Group Leader(s) in evaluating the profitability of the group and individual practices, including preparing for sharing ratio recommendations.
- Monitor and report on business development spending compared to plan.
- Assist with billing rate recommendations and client/matter fee proposals.
Strategic Planning and Key Events:
- Collaborate with the Director of Global Practice Management and Business Development colleagues to coordinate the practice group's annual/periodic strategic planning process.
- Draft the group's business plan and SWOT analysis.
- Provide or arrange for analytical support.
- Monitor and analyze progress throughout the year.
- Implement certain initiatives.
- Liaise with partners on key client relationships and coverage efforts, addressing any issues that require attention or additional analysis.
- Remain focused on cross-selling objectives and opportunities.
Talent Management:
- Work with Talent Leads and colleagues in Talent Management to ensure timely and accurate preparation and delivery of annual evaluations and manage performance issues.
- Address professional development needs, work allocation, mentoring, diversity/inclusion efforts, and secondments of associates to clients.
- Draft proposed counsel promotion memoranda.
- Assist with transitioning matters resulting from departures.
- Collaborate with internal recruiting personnel to identify, attract, and integrate new lateral partners and other lawyers.
- Monitor the 'organic' partnership pipeline to identify potential partnership candidates in the next few years.
- Explain recurring reports and practice group procedures/systems to new partners, organic and lateral, and other lawyers.
Internal Communication and Meetings:
- Coordinate practice group meetings and maintain a meeting calendar.
- Develop meeting agendas, prepare handouts and other materials, and keep meeting notes and monitor follow-up items.
- Present on certain topics as needed and ensure communication of notable activities and best practices within the group.
- Attend quarterly meetings with leadership and document key discussion topics and action items.
- Keep the Director of Global Practice Management informed of lawyers and staff who would benefit from hearing from the Practice Group Leader and ensure recognition of successes and the proliferation of best practices.
- Communicate practice group activities, needs, and goals to internal constituencies, including firm leadership, individual partners, other lawyers, and management/administrative departments to promote collaboration and cross-selling opportunities.
Support Service Delivery:
- Communicate with administrative departments on the group's goals, needs, programs, and problems.
- Serve as a key "go-to" person for the Practice Group Leader(s), talent leads, partners, and others in the group regarding support service and operational needs, ensuring effective solutions are identified and implemented.
Secondary:
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
- Job is performed in a typical office environment with time pressures and constraints, often dependent on input from others.
- Long hours are frequently required.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field required. MBA or related advanced degree is a plus.
- Minimum of 7 years' experience in a legal administrator or senior operational management role, preferably in a sophisticated law firm or other professional services environment. A deep understanding of law firms and the legal industry is preferred.
Special Knowledge:
- Proven ability to interact well with colleagues at all levels within a law firm or similar environment (., partners, other lawyers, peers, other staff).
Technical Skills:
- Knowledge of Firm computer software.
- Advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint strongly preferred.
Attributes:
- Strong analytical skills required, with the ability to compile and assess large volumes of data and effectively communicate findings to interested parties.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including confident and engaging presentation skills.
- Ability to manage numerous high-visibility projects on tight timetables.
- Ability to work well under pressure with a sense of urgency and maintain a professional demeanor at all times.
Qualifications:
- Excellent human resources and employee relations skills, with sensitivity to the characteristics and complexities of a partnership.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead and implement change in an effective and inclusive manner.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to solve problems effectively and creatively.
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills required of personnel in this role. The firm reserves the right to revise or modify this job description at any time.
Associate Director, Practice Management - (1736)
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field required. MBA or related advanced degree is a plus.
- Minimum of 7 years' experience in a legal administrator or senior operational management role, preferably in a sophisticated law firm or other professional services environment. A deep understanding of law firms and the legal industry is preferred.
Skills and Attributes:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to manage large volumes of data.
