Position Overview
The Associate Director of Global Practice Management will coordinate administrative, financial and operational support for the practice group, in collaboration with relevant colleagues across the Firm’s administrative functions (including Financial Services, BD / Marketing, Talent Management, Human Resources, Information Technology and Facilities). The Associate Director of Global Practice Management will also serve as a sounding board for the Practice Group Leader(s) and others within the group regarding a range of management and operational issues.
Duties and Responsibilities
Primary
Prepares monthly analyses for practice leadership regarding the group’s YTD and MTD performance, drawing attention to noteworthy accomplishments as well as areas requiring attention / action. Includes the monitoring of lawyer utilization (and, if applicable, paralegal and other non-lawyer timekeepers) and the flagging of noteworthy outliers for the Practice Group Leader(s) and / or Talent Lead(s).
Helps with monitoring (and, in some practice groups, approving) write-offs exceeding certain amounts, thereby making it easier to identify, analyze and address issues and trends.Sits on Firm’s Collections Committee and plays significant role with the practice group’s billings / collections activities.Assists with development of annual revenue and expense budgets for the practice group, as well as periodic reforecasts during the year to ascertain the continued validity of budget assumptions.Reviews and approves practice group expenses.Assists Practice Group Leader(s) with their evaluation of the profitability of the group and individual practices, including assisting with their preparation for sharing ratio recommendations / presentations.Monitors and reports on business development spending, including in comparison to plan.Assists with the consideration of billing rate recommendations and client / matter fee proposals.Strategic Planning and Key EventsIn collaboration with Director of Global Practice Management and colleagues in Business Development, coordinates annual / periodic strategic planning process for the practice group, and plays a significant role with regard to :
Drafting of the group’s business plan and SWOT
Providing / arranging for any required analytical supportMonitoring and analyzing progress during course of yearImplementation of certain initiativesLiaises with partners regarding their key client relationships and coverage efforts, and helps them to address any issues (such as financial results) that would benefit from attention / action / additional analysis. Also remains focused on cross-selling objectives and opportunities.Talent ManagementCollaborates with Talent Leads and colleagues in Talent Management on the following :
Ensuring timely and accurate preparation / delivery of annual evaluations and management of performance issues
Professional development needsWork allocationMentoring and diversity / inclusion effortsSecondments of associates to clientsDrafting of proposed counsel promotion memorandaAssisting with transitioning of matters resulting from departuresAssists with internal recruiting personnel in efforts to identify, attract and integrate new lateral partners and other lawyers, draft internal sponsorship memoranda, and plays active role in post-hire integration.Monitors information regarding the ‘organic’ partnership pipeline, so that there is sufficient clarity as to the likely / potential partnership candidates over the next few years.Plays key role in explaining recurring reports and practice group procedures / systems to new partners, (organic and laterals) as well as other lawyers.Internal Communication and MeetingsCoordinates periodic practice group meetings and maintains calendar of meetings
Develops meeting agendas, prepares / arranges for handouts and other meeting materials and maintains meeting notes and monitors follow-up items.Presents certain topics as needed and helps to ensure communication of notable activities and best practices within the group.Attends quarterly meetings with leadership and memorializes key discussion topics and action items.Keeps ear to the ground and advises Director of Global Practice Management of lawyers and staff who would benefit from hearing from the Practice Group Leader; helping to ensure recognition of successes and the proliferation of best practices as well as enhancing the ability to get in front of potential problems.Plays a key role with communicating practice group activities, needs and goals to internal constituencies (in part to help maximize collaboration and cross-selling across groups and offices) with firm leadership, individual partners, other lawyers, and management / administrative departments.Support Service DeliveryCommunicates with administrative departments regarding the group’s goals, needs, programs, problems, etc. and is a key “go to” person for the Practice Group Leader(s), talent leads, partners and others in the group regarding support service / operational needs and ensures that effective solutions are identified and implemented.
Secondary
Performs other duties as assigned.Working Conditions
Job is performed in a typical office environment, but is subject to time pressures and constraints, and is often dependent on input from others.Long hours are frequently required.
