The Senior Manager, Business Operations - GR&IP reports to the firm's Chief Operating Officer with oversight by the GR&IP Practice Group Leader (PGL) to provide strategic and operational support to the GR&IP Leadership Team. Works in close collaboration with the GR&IP Business Team Leads, including the Global Head of BD & Strategy, the Director of Strategic Finance, the Head of Talent, and operations and administrative staff who also support the GR&IP Leadership Team.
The Senior Manager, Business Operations - GR&IP directly supports the GR&IP PGL, Deputy PGL, and GR&IP Leadership Team, and the broader GR&IP Business Team in executing leadership and operational initiatives across the nearly $1B global practice and 16 practice areas. This role enables GR&IP Leadership to scale decision-making, execute on priorities, integrate efforts and initiatives, communicate through the organization, and embed operational best practices globally.
This role is critical for helping the GR&IP Leadership Team to develop, organize, and implement practice group business plans and facilitate progress on firmwide priority initiatives. Key responsibilities include organizing and managing GR&IP organizational communications, leadership meetings, project management of key practice initiatives and related workstreams. The role also includes collaboration and benchmarking with peers in other practices to support project management of cross-practice initiatives in alignment with GR&IP strategic goals.
Key responsibilities Strategy and business planning- Works with the GR&IP PGL, Deputy PGL, strategic project leads, and Head of BD & Strategy to monitor and communicate progress against business plan and tracking KPI's in support of the practice group's vision and strategy; collaborates to ensure project goals are achieved.
- Manages execution of the bi-annual in-person GR&IP Leadership Team meeting, working closely with the PGL and Deputy PGL, the Global Head of BD & Strategy and the broader GR&IP Business Team.
Operations change management- Spots issues, facilitates problem solving, and works cross-functionally to improve efficiency and productivity of the GR&IP practice group (e.g., AI, LPM, report streamlining, improving capacity, AI and automation software, e-billing, and pricing resources).
- Develops, implements, and monitors specific firmwide projects and recurring processes to achieve operational goals, promote innovation, and drive consistent best practices across GR&IP globally (e.g., HL Digitization, system implementations).
- Collaborates with Business Teams across the globe to ensure that the GR&IP practice structure, leadership roles, and business priorities are considered in new processes or tools being rolled out.
- Stays informed of operational and practice management best practices and emerging technologies in the law firm industry and proposes potential solutions for the practice.
Leadership and PG wide communication- Designs,implements, and maintains practice-wide communication channels and tools, including monthly leadership and practice area meetings, Microsoft Teams channels, global Town Halls, global distribution lists, and annual calendar of global communication.
- Identifies opportunities to spotlight progress and integrate project updates into GR&IP Leadership Team meetings, practice-wide communications, and Microsoft Teams channels or other forums.
- Proposes and develops resources and materials related to the GR&IP Leadership Team (e.g., organization charts or other practice references) to promote awareness and communication within and outside of GR&IP; serves as a point of contact for other Business Teams regarding GR&IP leadership.
Practice Group Leadership team organization and operations- Develops and manages the operational calendar for the GR&IP PG and Deputy PGL, GR&IP Leadership Team (PALs and strategic project leads (~35 partners), and GR&IP Business Team leads, working collaboratively to set agendas, organizing events, documenting calendars, facilitating meetings as needed, and tracking progress against agreed actions and priorities.
- Provides support to PGL and Deputy PGL, working with GR&IP Business Team leads, on prep, data analysis, organization of materials, proactive and ongoing tracking of open matters needed in advance of key meetings.
- Collaborates with GR&IP Business Team leads on high-priority global processes that involve PAL input and participation.
- Conducts orientation with new PALs, providing education on PAL responsibilities and expectations, coordinating with GR&IP business team leads.
- Maintains strong partnerships across PALs to identify operational needs, common challenges, and emerging risks, and collaborates with the GR&IP Business Team and other firm teams to develop and implement scalable solutions that support multiple practice areas.
- Works with PGL on approvals for M&BD budget, works with GR&IP M&BD Team to monitor and distribute M&BD budget spend reports on a monthly basis.
- Works with GR&IP Business Team leads on discrete assignments at the direction of the PGL or Deputy PGL to support leadership decision making.
Experience, attributes and skillsEducation/qualificationsBachelor's degree required; a relevant legal qualification or MBA is preferred.
Practical experience/knowledge- Seven (7) years' minimum experience in a professional services environment.
- At least two (2) years' experience in a law firm setting required.
- Understanding of the legal sector, legal products, and key drivers of a global practice.
- Experience in the regulatory and/or IP practices is a plus.
Skills- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong relationship-building and networking abilities.
- Ability to influence across business functions without direct management responsibility.
- Strong project management skills.
- Business acumen and data analysis skills.
- Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, with demonstrated ability to use technology to improve productivity and problem-solving; experience with Smartsheet or other data automation tools is preferred.
- Verbal and written business communication skills with senior leader stakeholders.
- Experience working in a global organization across time zones.
Characteristics / abilities of ideal candidate- Proactive, self-motivated, and takes initiative.
- Handles sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
- Highly collaborative, with strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
- Builds relationships across geographies, functions, and levels, with attentiveness to cultural differences.
- Adaptable and responsive under pressure and tight timelines.
- Interested in innovation and process improvement, with the ability to propose ideas, build support, and help implement solutions.
- Focused, decisive, analytical, logical, and well organized.
- Pragmatic, data-driven, and commercially minded.
OtherThis role requires in-office working, consistent with firm expectation of 4 days/week in-office expectation.
Core hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the willingness to work additional hours as needed.
This job description sets forth the authorities and responsibilities of this position and may be changed from time to time as shall be determined.
In D.C., the expected base salary range for this role is $177,000 - $206,000 per year. This range reflects a good-faith estimate of pay at the time of posting; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate's qualifications. This position is eligible for additional forms of compensation, which may include annual discretionary bonuses. Employees in this role are also eligible for benefits offered by the firm, subject to applicable plan terms and conditions, which currently include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; and paid time off. Please review this link for more information regarding employee benefits in the United States.
This job description sets forth the responsibilities of this position and may be changed from time to time as shall be determined.
