Chief Operations and Strategy Officer

Job Title: Chief Operating and Strategy Officer

Location: Full-Time at Lancaster, CA Office

Reports to: Owner

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Collaborate with the owner to define and refine the firm's long-term vision, aligning it with industry trends and organizational strengths.

• Leverage insights from the Founder and Senior Advisor on the firm's established processes, historical strategies, and core values, ensuring these elements are thoughtfully integrated into decision-making and ongoing operations.

• Develop a comprehensive strategic roadmap that balances maintaining the firm's proven processes with modernizing its operations to meet contemporary challenges.

• Identify growth opportunities in the personal injury law market and develop actionable plans to expand the firm's market share in existing regions and new territories, enhance its reputation and services, and build strong referral partnerships.

• Lead the integration of any newly acquired firms, ensuring seamless alignment with the firm's operations, culture, and strategic objectives.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive framework for using OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to define, measure, and track progress toward strategic goals.

Operational Excellence and Execution

• Oversee all aspects of the firm's operations, ensuring processes are efficient, scalable, and aligned with strategic goals.

• Champion the firm's proven client service processes, which ensure client satisfaction and maximize outcomes, while spearheading efforts to modernize workflows with advanced technology and enhanced systems to maintain and improve these high standards.

• Lead cross-departmental initiatives by collaborating with both administrative departments and legal service teams to ensure alignment, consistency, and seamless operations that support the firm's overall goals and client outcomes.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and optimize resource allocation.

• Ensure adherence to operational policies and processes, regularly reviewing and refining them to maintain relevance and efficiency.

Technology and Process Modernization

• Lead the selection and implementation of modern software solutions for case and firm management, ensuring seamless integration with existing workflows to optimize case handling, client service, and overall firm operations.

• Monitor and address emerging technology trends in the legal sector to maintain the firm's competitive edge.

• Introduce advanced tools, including AI where appropriate, to reduce manual workloads and improve data accuracy.

• Develop systems to eliminate single points of failure and ensure operational resilience through redundancy and contingency planning.

• Monitor and address emerging technology trends in the legal sector to maintain the firm's competitive edge.

Organizational Leadership and Culture

• Cultivate a strong, inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and experiences, fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and unity across all departments.

• Mentor and support senior leaders, empowering them to excel in their roles and drive the firm's success.

• Promote professional development opportunities to attract and retain top talent, ensuring the firm's long-term success.

• Address conflicts with sensitivity and emotional intelligence, building lasting solutions that improve team dynamics.

Financial Oversight and Performance Management

• Work closely with the Finance department to oversee budgeting, financial planning, and performance analysis.

• Ensure all financial operations support the firm's strategic objectives and maintain profitability.

• Leverage data-driven insights to monitor the firm's overall performance and identify areas for improvement.

Change Management and Innovation

• Act as a change agent, balancing respect for the firm's history and legacy with the need for modernization and innovation.

• Communicate change initiatives effectively, securing buy-in from all levels of the organization.

• Lead the firm through transformations, ensuring minimal disruption while achieving long-term benefits.

Qualifications

• At least 15 20 years of overall professional experience, including at least 12 years in leadership roles, with significant exposure to professional service organizations. Experience within small-to-mid-sized firms is strongly preferred, particularly in roles requiring adaptability and the ability to manage diverse responsibilities.

• Strong preference for candidates with a J.D. (attorney) or M.B.A., demonstrating a deep understanding of legal or business strategy.

• Familiarity with personal injury law firms or the California legal landscape is highly desirable.

• Proven success in process improvement, system implementation, and operational modernization, with a focus on scalability and efficiency.

• Demonstrated expertise in leveraging technology to optimize operations, including implementing modern software solutions and driving digital transformation.

• Experience utilizing OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), and data-driven insights to guide decision-making and measure progress.

• Exceptional communication, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills, with a track record of building trust, resolving conflicts, and fostering collaboration.

• Ability to lead by example, inspiring accountability, professionalism, and commitment across all levels of the organization.

• Proven experience driving organizational change and leading transformative initiatives that foster growth, innovation, and a culture of continuous improvement. This is a critical requirement for successfully modernizing the firm and aligning it with strategic goals.

EOE