Description

The Primary Team Manager will work closely with the leaders of the firm’s Primary Teams to provide and manage financial insights, handle work allocation and staffing, support client value initiatives, and otherwise support the Primary Teams’ business needs and operations. The Primary Team Manager will support the firm’s strategic, operational, administrative, financial, and talent-management goals alongside the Primary Team and Department Chairs to ensure operational efficiency. They will work with team leadership to develop, drive, and execute the team’s strategic plan. As a trusted advisor to the Primary Team Chairs, the Primary Team Manager is a highly collaborative self-starter, with demonstrated experience, confidence, and professionalism in communicating with partners, management, and timekeepers and staff at all levels of the organization.

This role may be filled in any of our US offices.

Requirements

Collaborate and work closely with other Primary Team Management team members, Primary Team Chairs, Chief Talent and Strategy Officer, partners, and other business operations departments to facilitate the development and relentless execution of Primary Team strategic plans with clear and achievable goals focused on revenue, profitability, headcount, reputation, brand awareness, profile and competitive differentiation

Financial Management

• Monitor and understand financial performance at the Department and Primary Team levels, including utilization, realization, revenue, profitability, and other performance metrics. Liaise with the finance team to enhance financial reporting and lawyer understanding of same
• Collaborate with Finance and Pricing Team to enhance attorney understanding of client/matter profitability, including broader adoption of matter budgets, value-based fee arrangements, and drive team leverage to enhance profitability
• Identify and address operational issues to support attorney facility of matter management
• Monitor and manage Primary Team expense budgets, including tracking ROI on sponsorships and other business development opportunities

Personnel Management & Team Building

• Build strong relationships with Primary Team Chairs, partners, associates, and related staff to understand and address the team’s needs
• Collaborate with Career Strategy and Professional Development to: facilitate workow and evaluate associate capacity and skill development needs for stafng purposes; make recommendations for appropriate actions to improve team associate performance, monitor progress, and execute related action items; support the development of team-tailored training programs; understand the lawyer review process and areas of strength and growth for the lawyers in the teams
• Assist with transition and integration of newly hired lateral lawyers or other lawyers joining the team
  Support the partnership nomination and promotions process, including preparation of candidate materials; assist in managing the partnership candidate pipeline by Primary Team;
• Evaluate primary team expertise gaps/personnel needs on an ongoing basis, identifying gaps in attorney resources and preparing needs analyses to support recruiting efforts
• Ensure that Primary Teams are communicating regularly and effectively on issues relating to practice development, business development, talent management, and financial performance issues

Operations Management and Execution of the Firm's Strategic Plan

• Track client- and industry-related news and stay abreast of industry trends to help inform and augment the Primary Team’s strategic priorities
• Manage the daily execution of business needs of the assigned Primary Teams, including developing and managing the team’s budget, business plans, establishing a consistent framework for team meetings and communications, supporting firm processes like billing and collections, matter intake and matter type classifications, and support for firm initiatives
• Collaborate regularly across firm departments to continue to drive efficiency, process improvement, and innovation throughout the Primary Teams and across the firm

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree (required); JD or MBA (preferred)
• A minimum of 4 years’ experience serving as a practicing lawyer or business professional with an emphasis on practice management and operations (required
• Understanding of business operations and proficiency in financial performance metrics and law firm economics, including attorney incentives, stafng dynamics, and overall practice operations
• Strong business acumen and analytical skills; the ability to develop and successfully execute comprehensive project and operational plans from broadly stated objectives
• Proven experience driving continuous improvement and innovation in business operations, technology, infrastructure, and practices in a complex professional services organization
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills and ability to deal effectively with lawyers and staff at all levels of the organization and to regularly handle sensitive and confidential information
• Advanced proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, including specifically Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project and Visio
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including ability to plan and facilitate at group and individual levels
• Ability to handle a wide variety of responsibilities and work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to solve problems and provide solutions, take initiative, and work both independently and collaboratively in high-pressure situations
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, judgment, and oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated confidence and competence in dealing with individuals in leadership positions, including negotiating and managing conflict
• Strong work ethic, client-service mindset, and desire to lead and achieve a high standard of excellence