Practice Manager - Finance

We are collaborating with a global law firm on a Practice Manager role for its Finance practices. Working with the Chief Practice Officer – Finance, you will collaborate on the strategic, financial, talent, and operational objectives of the practice and actively manage associate and of counsel utilization, addressing resource demands, adhering to financial management best practices, and enhancing profitability.

You will be primarily responsible for managing associate staffing in the U.S. and associate utilization and professional development globally. You will apply an in-depth understanding of client service needs, staffing requirements, pricing arrangements, deal and inventory life cycles, and key financial metrics to make sound judgments and minimize the administrative burden on practice leaders and partners.

This hybrid role is open in Washington, DC, New York and San Francisco. Other locations may be considered for strong candidates with the below experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Professional Development, Staffing and Utilization

• Connect with associates to level-set on professional development goals, perceived skills gaps, and socialize the Practice Manager role as a firm resource for the Business Unit’s non-partner attorneys.
• Assist associates with identifying training resources and tools to support their client work and professional development.
• Monitor professional development of U.S. associates and help allocate new matters in a manner which ensures an equitable distribution of assignments consistent with the clients’ needs and the attorneys’ individual professional development goals.
• In coordination with the partners and Chief Practice Officer, drive practice group utilization and manage the work allocation process for U.S. associates in the Finance Business Unit.
• Track, aggregate and analyze associate metrics, including availability information and utilization rates. Partner with the Chief Practice Officer and associates to ensure that individual goals relating to productivity are achieved and practice group productivity is optimized.
• Support staffing requests from partners, as needed.
• Coordinate with Chief Practice Officer and Practice Group Leaders to identify staffing needs and hiring targets; partner with the Talent and Finance teams to ensure hiring efforts are supporting the goals and needs of the group and supporting firm profitability targets.
• Collaborate with Chief Practice Officer, Practice Group Leaders and Talent to coordinate substantive training for associates.
• Collaborate with the Talent team and the Chief Practice Officer to address associates who may be having specific challenges so that appropriate mentoring, training, and other actions can be taken to address such challenges in a timely manner.
• Manage the associate/partner mentor assignments and discuss same with associates.
• Facilitate practice group integration of new associates and of counsel.
• Collaborate with the innovation team to assign the right resource to the right task, including leveraging career associates, Service Center, Williams Lea, automation, paralegals, and other firm resources to maximize impact on client matters.

Practice Administration

• Cultivate relationships with practice group leader(s) to build practice group connectivity, rapport, and trust.
• Initiate ideas for improving profitability of matters, including the efficient allocation of internal resources and staff across client matters and group initiatives.
• Approve specific expense reimbursement requests, non-billable travel, write-offs and similar administrative tasks in accordance with firm policies.
• Research, compile data and perform business and financial analysis related to practice group strategic initiatives and projects.
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis, including profitability, billing, collections, time entry and utilization.
• Coordinate with records team and relevant timekeepers to facilitate associate exit procedures.
• Collaborate with and support practice leaders on practice group communications.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong preference for an individual who has practiced law for at least 5 years in a large law firm or corporate legal department. Significant experience working in Finance areas preferred. Additional experience in a practice management role at a law firm or professional services firm preferred.
• Excellent project management, prioritization, attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with teams of partners, associates and other professionals at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use technology, database, presentation and spreadsheet software at an advanced level.
• Ability to deliver strong customer service, commit to meeting deadlines, and multitask in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• J.D. preferred; MBA or equivalent industry experience considered.