To cover Baker McKenzie's EMEA operations and report directly to
the EMEA Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"). This is a new
role and the role-holder will assist in shaping and refining this
role, collaborating closely with the CFO.
Currently, there are billing and collections teams embedded in all
of the EMEA jurisdictions and across the Firm's central Service
Centres (Manila, Belfast, Tampa, and Buenos Aires). One of the
primary objectives of this role will be to establish functional
leadership in the working capital space for the EMEA offices and
provide guidance to and work closely with the central service
centres and their management team(s).
Main responsibilities
Provide functional and thought leadership for the revenue teams
across the EMEA offices (consisting of around 90 members of staff)
Lead on and develop the working relationships with the central
service centres that operate under their line management; Agree on
suitable KPIs and objectives with the service centres for
collections and ensure we are working collaboratively towards a
set of shared goals
Build an EMEA team ethos, hold regular calls with the EMEA team,
and over time, ensure the teams are working to the same operating
model and adopting best practice (systems and process)
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance revenue
management processes and systems
Work closely with the wider Finance team to develop clear and
consistent regular financial reporting
Assist with introducing a new lock-up methodology
Strong focus on lockup management, reducing WIP days and debtor
days, and the overall level of working capital is the primary
operational focus of this role, and formulating strategies to
achieve this will be key
Set and monitor billing and collections targets across the
offices and practice groups and ensure regular and accurate
monitoring and reporting and that targets are met
Set and monitor lock-up targets for each office and ensure those
targets are met
Review realization levels and the reasons for leakage across
each of the offices and practice groups
Regularly review time recording and establish an approach for
reporting on poor compliance and recommend follow-up actions
Assist with the annual rates review exercise, both in terms of
how it plays into the budget and as part of the formal annual
rates review process
Working with the Strategy and Analytics team, set rates guidance
for each office and practice group, monitor the results, and
challenge where appropriate. Assist with the rollout of the new
rates, working closely with the global team to ensure EMEA
partners are taking the necessary actions
Work with the e-billing team to improve matter set up and the
setting of new rates
Lead on and assist with various ad hoc projects as required
including but not limited to a review of payment terms and a
review of WIP and AR write-off policies
Travel requirements: Occasional travel may be required.
Function
The Finance function provides the following services to the Firm:
Supports strategic decision-making from a financial and business perspective
Manages cash flow, including accounts payable, credit checks,
billing, and collections
Ensures Firm-wide purchasing excellence and efficiency
Provides financial reporting, budgets, and forecasts
Secures financing across the global Firm
You will report to: EMEA Chief Financial Officer
Your direct reports, if any: N/A
Key relationships: The EMEA CFO, the Director of
Financial Operations, office Finance Heads, and office and service
center billing and collections teams.
Technical skills, qualifications and experience:
Demonstrate a clear understanding of working capital in a law
firm and its impact on profitability
Proactive, client-centric, and focused on operational excellence
and continuous improvement
A problem solver and comfortable dealing with senior stakeholders
Strong managerial skills with the ability to motivate and develop
Strong written and oral communication skills with the confidence
and gravitas to liaise at all levels within the business
Previous supervisory experience in a revenue management/credit
collections team
Self-motivated and committedSignificant technical skills across
the whole Working Capital Management Cycle
SAP experience is a benefit but otherwise strong legal systems
and reporting experience are required
Flexible approach to working hours and a willingness to work
outside core hours during busy periods
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
Able to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and
senior leadership
A high level of integrity and professionalism
Personal qualities
These personal qualities represent the shared characteristics of high
performers across Baker McKenzie, regardless of job level and location.
Know how
Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to
anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distills a range
of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
Has the capacity to take on new ideas and develop knowledge and
think holistically about business and address media, analyst,
employee, and client audiences
Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different
approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with the agility of mind and
capacity for analysis and synthesis
Dedication
Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds
exemplary quality standards
Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative and is
self reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations
Personal Impact
Uses complex, coordinated influencing/negotiation strategies,
adapted to people, organizations, and/or the situation, e.g. networks
Leverages direct reports to facilitate increased collaboration
across the organization
Builds partnerships based on a common agreement that acknowledges
individual differences but creates a new commonality beyond root
belief large-scale
Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships
through collaboration and reciprocity
Negotiates to achieve mutually satisfactory outcomes; shows good
judgment on when to stand strong and when to compromise
Invests in, nurtures, and builds a network of productive relationships
Humanity
Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the
respect of others by being transparent
Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others
as people
Treats delicate or confidential issues with grace and discretion.
Why Join Us?
Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm. Founded in 1949, we advise
many of the world's most dynamic and successful business organisations
through our 13,200 people in 74 offices in 45 countries. Yet big does
not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their
role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest
standard. Our culture encourages this - how we work, think and behave
in a collaborative and fulfilling way.
In London you will be part of a 1,000 person office, which is also
our largest office globally. Originally opened in 1961, Baker McKenzie
London is well established in the UK as a leading international law
firm and is regularly involved in some of the country's most
high-profile legal matters. We can offer you the work, pride and
experience of being part of a leading law firm but in a local office
environment that is hardworking, friendly and supportive.
The strength of the firm and our culture is evidenced by a number of
recent awards, including:
Thomson Reuters (formerly Acritas' Sharplegal) Global Elite Law
Firm Brand Index, 2010- 2022 - ranked 1st
The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2021-2022: currently ranked 52nd
Thomson Reuters ranked the Firm No. 1 for cross-border deals for
the last 12 years. More than 70% of our deals are cross-border.
For the 14th consecutive year, the Firm was ranked first for deals
with emerging market involvement, by both number of announced and
completed deals.
Law360 ranked the Firm as one of the 400 Largest US Law Firms in
in its annual survey in 2020.
Identified as one of the Hall of Fame for best law firms for women
by Working Mother magazine, 2011-2021.
Received a a Gold Award in Stonewall's Global Workplace Equality
Index of Top Global Employers for LGBTQ+ Inclusion.
Ranked as one of the Top 20 Employers in the 2023 Social Mobility
Employer Index.
Received Double Certification for earning top marks in the 2022
Corporate Equality Index and Equidad MX of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Winner of the Europe Mentorship Programme - International Firm
award in the Euromoney Women in Business Law Europe Awards 2021
Winner of the Gender Diversity International Firm, Talent
Management International Firm, and Work-Life Balance International
Firm awards in the Euromoney Women in Business Law Asia Awards 2021
Have a look at our YouTube
channel to find out more about us!
To Apply
Please click on the Apply icon to start the online application
process for this role. We will then be in touch with you once we have
reviewed your application.
For more information about this position or to discuss any
adjustments you may require during the process please contact in
confidence, David Roberts, Recruitment Manager, on David.Roberts@bakermckenzie.com
Please note Baker McKenzie does not accept unsolicited CVs. Please clickhere
for details of our Agency Policy and commitment to sourcing directly.
Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
As the first truly global law firm, diversity and inclusion are
foundational to our culture and strategic vision. We are a Firm of
individuals from across the globe with different backgrounds, ideas,
and points of view who collegially work together to solve complex
problems and design practical solutions for our clients. Our multiple
perspectives come from many sources, including the diverse ethnicity,
culture, gender, nationality, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity and expression, disability, parental status, education,
social background and life experience of our people.
Our global strategy is focused on our people, our culture, our
clients and the communities where we operate. In 2019 we enacted
ambitious new targets related to gender, racial and ethnic diversity
at the Firm. These targets are viewed as a floor, not a ceiling, to
advancing underrepresented groups, and they are backed by a variety of
strategic initiatives aimed at achieving our goals. Our strategic
vision is supported in London by six active employee led networks
which champion diversity, lead on a number of internal campaigns and
deliver a range of activity to celebrate differences in identity,
inclusion, and key dates throughout the year including: LGBT+ History
Month, International Women's Day, International Trans Day of
Visibility, Mental Health Awareness Week, Pride, Black History Month,
Social Mobility Week, International Day of Disabled Persons and many more!
Baker McKenzie London has been accredited by Disability Confident,
joining over 18,000 organisations that have signed up to help change
behaviours and cultures in businesses, networks and communities and
reap the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices.
