Baker & McKenzie

Associate Director, Business Management - Employment and Compensation

Baker & McKenzie$218K — $276K *
Business Services
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Undergraduate degree required; MBA preferred.
  • Experience in global professional services environments.
  • Knowledge of law firm operations, finance, and legal accounting.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially advanced Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Understanding of law firm profitability across various dimensions.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with sound business judgment.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and cross-level engagement experience.
  • Ability to conduct complex analysis and translate insights into actionable plans.

Responsibilities

  • Advise the Practice Group Leader on strategic operational matters.
  • Develop and manage the business plan and budget for the practice.
  • Monitor performance indicators to drive improvements in operations and finance.
  • Collaborate across global teams to align strategies and initiatives.
  • Implement cross-functional initiatives to support practice group goals.
  • Identify and operationalize strategic opportunities for revenue generation.
  • Oversee staffing and talent management efforts to ensure optimal resource alignment.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) plan available.
  • Bonus eligibility based on performance.
  • Support for ongoing professional development opportunities.
  • Flexible hybrid work model.
Full Job Description
Job Information

Posting Date

06-Jul-2026

Requisition ID

3064

States/Provinces/Cities

Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington

Location Type

Hybrid

Business Unit

Business Professionals

Function

Operations

Full Time or Part Time

Full Time

Description & Requirements

The Associate Director, Business Management - Employment and Compensation will lead and coordinate business operations for the Employment and Compensation Practice Group within the Americas with the aim of driving and enhancing practice performance in line with the global practice strategy and the overall strategy of the Firm.

Main responsibilities:

  • Advise and support the Practice Group Leader on strategic, business, and operational matters across the Americas region
  • Develop, update and monitor the business plan of the practice and help set and manage the budget proactively to ensure effective implementation of the Firm strategy
  • Drive improvements in operational and financial performance by monitoring and analysing key performance indicators at practice and service line level, ensuring alignment with planned targets (including cost management, working capital, staffing, and margin contribution)
  • Collaborate and align with all Alliance E&C PGLs and BMs on cohesive Global E&C Plan and execution of such
  • Ensure cross-practice and cross-functional initiatives implementation at the Practice Group level and coordinate resources from other Business Professional functions supporting the same Practice Group to ensure proper coverage and effective strategy execution
  • Formulate and operationalize strategic initiatives leveraging our geographic, industry, and client reach, with a clear view to building market presence and generating revenue
  • Capture efficiency and innovation opportunities for the main service lines by leading and participating in initiatives, aligned within the global practice and with other Practice Groups
  • Ensure appropriate resourcing model, headcount planning, staffing, and talent pipeline (including training and performance management) leveraging support from, and in coordination with, other Business Professional functions
  • Coordinate interactions with Industry Groups making sure that go-to-market and service delivery is appropriate for clients in those sectors
  • Monitor and ensure effective implementation of client and business development plans leveraging support from other Business Professional functions
  • Coordinate internal Practice Group engagement activities and meetings fostering positive and open communication
  • Leverage services provided by shared service centres and specialist functions within the organization to drive excellence and efficiency
  • Lead and participate in projects for the practice


Skills and experience:

  • A relevant undergraduate degree required, an MBA is preferred
  • Good professional management experience in a global setting, ideally in a professional services environment
  • Proficient in law firm operations, legal accounting, and finance
  • Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint and advanced functions of Excel
  • An understanding of the elements of law firm profitability at practice group, service line, client, matter, and attorney level
  • Strong business sense and good judgment in problem-solving
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Effective communication at all organizational levels
  • Experience with business management, including an understanding of the challenges of operating in different markets regionally
  • Able to manage multiple complex operations with continual attention to detail (including accuracy with numbers)
  • Experience conducting complex qualitative and quantitative analysis, interpreting results, and suggesting action plans
  • Experience coordinating people in different locations and cultures
  • Able to work effectively in informal teams and collaborate cross-practice and cross-function in a global organization


Location: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington, or Toronto,

Reports to: North America Regional Operating Officer

Travel requirements: Regional travel is required to join in-person Practice Group meetings, Steering Committee meetings, some of the regional and annual meetings and other internal and external events related to the Practice Group as requested

Position type: Regional North America

Development framework: Associate Director

Pay Transparency
  • This position is bonus eligible and includes benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) based on number of hours worked.
  • California notice: Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates.


If located in an office in one of the states below, the US base compensation for this position is expected to be in the range listed. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

New York

$230,000 - $293,000

California

$225,000 - $307,000

Illinois (Chicago only)

$218,000 - $276,000

Washington DC

$229,000 - $291,000

About Baker & McKenzie

Baker McKenzie is a multinational law firm founded in 1949. It is the largest international law firm in the world, with over 6,000 lawyers in 77 offices across 47 countries. The firm provides legal services in various areas, including corporate law, finance, intellectual property, litigation, and tax. Baker McKenzie has been recognized as one of the most innovative law firms in the world, and has received numerous awards for its work in various areas of law.
Learn more about Baker & McKenzie
Size
13,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1949

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