Are you a driven and strategic professional with a strong background in law firm administration? Are you ready to play a pivotal role in a growing law firm, with responsibilities spanning all areas of business operations, financial management, and leadership? If so, we’d like to meet you.
Our established law firm is seeking a Professional Legal Administrator—also known as a “Legal COO”—to work directly with the firm’s Owners in overseeing every facet of the business operations (excluding the practice of law itself). This executive-level role combines elements of strategic planning, project management, and critical oversight of administrative and financial functions, making it ideal for a seasoned professional ready to drive meaningful growth.
This is not an Office Manager or Administrative Assistant position. We are looking for someone who has successfully scaled law firm operations between $5 - $10 million in gross revenue, has experience leading teams of 15+ employees, and is well-versed in metrics and KPI-driven management. This is a role akin to an Executive Director, Director of Operations, or Controller.
Compensation:
$140,000 - $190,000 per year
Responsibilities:
Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Collaborate closely with the Owners to develop the Business Plan, Budget, Marketing Plan, and Strategic Calendar, with quarterly planning for growth targets, revenue, profit, and culture.
- Create and implement the Staff Plan, Systems Plan, Facilities Plan, and the strategic project calendar to support growth.
- Lead and manage all non-attorney staff, conducting performance evaluations, one-on-ones, and regular team meetings to drive employee engagement and performance.
Human Resources Management
- Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and performance management for non-attorney staff, ensuring every team member has a clear job description and KPIs.
- Supervise the HR function to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations, implement personnel policies, and manage employee benefits and payroll.
Financial Oversight and Business Metrics
- Work with the CFO and Bookkeeper on budgeting, financial forecasting, and reporting, including budget variance, P&L, and cash flow management.
- Monitor and analyze financial metrics, implementing solutions to ensure revenue targets are met and costs are managed effectively.
- Drive the use of key financial and operational metrics to make data-driven decisions.
Business Systems and Workflow Management
- Develop, document, and oversee the implementation of the Firm’s core systems, including case intake, billing, payments, collections, client communications, and time tracking.
- Perform regular audits of business systems to ensure policies and procedures are being followed and processes are operating as intended.
- Manage technology, risk management, facilities, and vendor relationships to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Marketing and Sales Coordination
- Ensure marketing and sales metrics are tracked and evaluated, assessing the ROI on campaigns and overseeing lead tracking and conversion rates.
- Collaborate with the Marketing Director and other stakeholders to ensure client acquisition and retention goals are met.
Executive-Level Authority
- Report directly to the Owners, collaborating with the CEO, CFO, and CMO, and serving as the main point of contact for business operations.
- Manage purchasing and firm-wide commitments in line with established policies, and exercise hiring and supervisory authority over non-attorney staff.
Key Performance Indicators:
- Achieve a 60% annual growth rate.
- Maintain a 25% gross profit margin.
- Ensure 90% of project-based deliverables are accomplished on time and within budget.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
- Familiarity with the latest technology trends, HR best practices, and profitability strategies within the legal industry.
- Knowledge of Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) standards and practices is a plus.
The right candidate will have:
- Proven Experience: At least 5+ years in a law firm administration or equivalent professional services role, with experience managing at a minimum a $5 million budget and a team of 15+ employees.
- Strong Business Acumen: Expertise in law firm budgeting, bookkeeping, and financial analysis. Experience scaling operations to meet ambitious revenue targets.
- Exceptional Leadership Skills: Ability to lead change, coach and develop employees, and foster a positive work environment.
- Metrics-Driven Mindset: Passion for using data and KPIs to make informed business decisions.
- Strategic Vision and Tactical Execution: Experience managing projects from concept to completion, with a focus on continuous improvement.
Ideal Candidate Behaviors and Attitudes:
- Solution-focused, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Able to balance work and life priorities and maintain a positive, professional demeanor.
- High emotional intelligence, empathy, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Confident in driving change and building a culture of accountability, efficiency, and excellence.
About Company
We practice law with passion and compassion, educating and advocating for our tax and business clients so they can sleep at night.
