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.
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.
Compensation
$140,000 - $190,000 per year
About Law Office of Pietro Canestrelli
We practice law with passion and compassion, educating and advocating for our tax and business clients so they can sleep at night.
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