Executive Director / COO

Headfarmer

$150K — $180K *
Legal & Accounting
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field required; advanced degree a plus.
  • 10+ years of progressively responsible management experience.
  • Experience running a professional services firm.
  • Solid grounding in financial management and operational best practices.
  • Strong leadership instincts paired with sharp analytical and communication skills.
  • Decisive, organized, and steady under pressure with good judgment.

Responsibilities

  • Lead firm-wide operations, focusing on policy rollout and managing budgets.
  • Own financial reporting and handle partner/shareholder compensation matters.
  • Serve as Firm Secretary, attending Board meetings and preparing minutes.
  • Support firm governance and track budget deviations and contingencies.
  • Oversee risk and compliance functions, including professional liability and ethics guidance.
  • Manage lateral hiring and onboarding for incoming senior professionals.
  • Drive marketing efforts, such as proposal submissions and professional development opportunities.
  • Oversee technology operations and vendor performance, ensuring data security.

Benefits

  • 100% employer-paid medical for employees.
  • Unlimited PTO.
  • 401(k) plan.
  • 10 paid holidays, plus an additional one at company discretion.
  • Hybrid schedule with one day work from home.
  • Investment in employee development through lunch and learns and leadership involvement.
Full Job Description
Ready to leave your mark on a firm that's already on the rise?

We're seeking an Executive Director/COO to join one of the top professional services firms in the Valley - a firm with deep roots, a reputation for excellence, and real momentum heading into its next chapter.

The Opportunity
As Executive Director, you'll serve as the firm's chief operating officer - the person who keeps the business of the business running smoothly so client-facing professionals can stay focused on serving clients. You'll partner closely with firm leadership and the Board, oversee a capable existing team, and have real influence over how the firm operates and grows.

What You'll Own
  • Lead firm-wide operations, including policy rollout, vendor management, and the annual and quarterly budget cycles
  • Own financial reporting, compensation administration, and pay benchmarking, including partner/shareholder compensation matters and year-end comp summaries
  • Serve as Firm Secretary, attending Board meetings, preparing minutes, and keeping the Board informed with timely updates and follow-through
  • Support firm governance, including budget deviation tracking, contingency matter tracking, and broader Board development efforts
  • Oversee risk and compliance functions, including professional liability coverage, conflicts checks, and internal ethics guidance
  • Manage lateral hiring and onboarding for incoming senior professionals, and step in on client issues that need attention beyond what client teams can resolve
  • Drive marketing and visibility efforts, including proposal submissions, internal communications, and professional development opportunities like speaking engagements and conferences
  • Oversee technology operations, including managed service provider performance, coordination with outside tech vendors, and data backup/security assurance

What You Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or a related field required; advanced degree a plus
  • 10+ years of progressively responsible management experience
  • Experience running a professional services firm
  • Solid grounding in financial management and operational best practices
  • Strong leadership instincts paired with sharp analytical and communication skills
  • Good judgment on what to escalate versus solve - decisive, organized, and steady under pressure

What's In It For You
  • Competitive compensation package
  • 100% employer-paid medical for employees
  • Unlimited PTO
  • 401(k)
  • 10 paid holidays, plus one additional at company discretion
  • Hybrid schedule (1 day WFH)
  • A firm that invests in its people - lunch and learns, an annual holiday celebration, and a genuine seat at the leadership table

This is a highly visible role in the firm - a unique chance to step into a well-supported, forward-moving organization and truly make it your own!

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