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Job Title
Practice Group Business Manager
Job Location
Chicago
Job Type
Business Services
Country/Territory
United States
Region
The Americas
Description
Clyde & Co is a leading,
sector-focused global law firm with over 440 partners, 1800 lawyers,
2500 legal professionals, and over 4000 staff operating from over 50
offices and associated offices worldwide. The firm specializes in the
sectors that move, build and power our connected world and the
insurance that underpins it, including: transport, infrastructure,
energy, trade & commodities and insurance. With a strong focus on
developed and emerging markets, the firm has achieved compound average
annual revenue growth of 15% over the last ten years, making it one of
the fastest-growing law firms in the world with ambitious plans for
further growth.
Purpose of the Role
Clyde & Co has an opportunity for a
Practice Group Business Manager to join our team in Chicago, IL or
Kansas City, MO. We would be open to other locations where Clyde &
Co has offices for the right candidate.
The Practice Group Business Manager (the
"PGBM") is a full time, exempt position that is responsible
for managing the business and administration of a practice group(s) to
drive strategic and profitable growth for the Firm. This position will
work directly with the Chief Operating Officer (North America) and the
Practice Group Leader(s) to manage the business and administration of
the practice(s) to ensure a well-coordinated operational support for
the practice group and overall business management of the group.
The PGBM will engage in analysis and
best practices and deploy applicable tools to evaluate and increase
the revenue, control expenses, improve profitability and improve
efficiencies of the practice group(s). This PGBM is also responsible
for supporting the Practice Group Leader(s) in implementing Firm-wide
strategic initiatives at the practice group level. The PGBM is
responsible for supporting practice group members across offices and
to improve connections and relations across practice groups. This
position must always maintain professionalism and strict
confidentiality in all client and Firm matters while exercising sound judgment.
Duties and Responsibilities
Communication
Establish and maintain clear and consistent lines of communication
with the Practice Group Leader(s), Chief Operating Officer (North
America), Chief Financial Officer, and other senior business
services team members within North American and globally.
Establish and maintain clear and consistent lines of communication
with practice group members across offices regarding all aspects of
the practice group and the Firm.
Regularly communicate with practice group members including those
located in other offices to ensure clear communication and coordination.
Prepare for and conduct regular practice group meetings and other
types of practice group gatherings and communications. This includes
working with the Practice Group Leader(s) to ensure practice group
meetings have meaningful agendas and meetings result in actionable
takeaways as well as monitor progress towards action items.
Strategic and Business Planning
Proactively manage the day-to-day operational running of the
practice including taking a hands-on approach to identifying and
implementing appropriate actions to address needs of practice(s).
Support implementation efforts through monitoring and reporting on
progress of Firm-wide strategic projects and implementations in
partnership with the Practice Group Leader(s).
Work with Business Development, Finance and other internal Firm
resources to coordinate research and other aspects of preparing a
business plan for the practice group as well as for individual
attorneys. Supervise and monitor implementation of the practice
group business plan.
Work with the Resourcing and Recruitment team to integrate new
attorneys assigned to practice group(s).
Financial Management
Work with pricing team to identify opportunities for value-added
pricing through alternative fee arrangements as well as
opportunities to renegotiate client service level agreements for
more favorable terms for Clyde & Co.
Use diligent efforts to see that practice group members meet
revenue and expense budgetary goals and expectations, including
billable and investment hours.
Act as liaison with Finance to generate and analyze financial
reports and prepare appropriate summaries and briefings.
Manage financial performance to ensure all key metrics are met and
growth in revenue and profitability are supported.
Attorney Staffing,
Development and Workload Management
Gather and analyze economic data of the practice group and assess
performance on an ongoing basis in partnership with the Practice
Group Leader(s).
Monitor attorney workload and utilization reports in order to
identify productivity issues and counsel attorneys where appropriate.
Develop and define appropriate strategies to manage and support
the profitable growth of the practice group(s) and Firm. Evaluate
and implement improvements to the practice group(s)' structure.
Advise the Practice Group Leader(s), Chief Operating Officer
(North America), and recruiting team on hiring recommendations and
future timekeeper needs.This includes working together with the
recruiting team to map out a pipeline of recruiting needs in the
practice group(s) including enhancement to the current
capacity/service delivery needs and strategic recruiting to achieve
vision of the practice including consideration of succession
planning needs.
Work with the Learning and Development team on attorney trainings
and development needs.
Management and Policy Compliance
Review and approve new clients and matters as part of intake
process and enforce related standards for the practice group,
consistent with Firm guidelines in partnership with the Practice
Group Leader.
Monitor and enforce timekeeping and billing practices in
partnership with the Practice Group Leader(s) and Finance team.
Work with Practice Group Finance Administrator on WIP, billing,
and collections issues.
Work with Finance team, as needed, to help address write-off and
write-down requests and expense approval requests that requires
practice group input in accordance with established firm policies.
Skills, Abilities and Experience Required
BA/BS required (finance or accounting discipline preferred); MBA
and/or JD preferred.
Strong financial acumen required.
Five or more years' experience in an operational, supervisory
and/or management position in a professional office setting required.
Demonstrated experience in driving process and continuous
improvements to systems and procedures to improve effectiveness of
operational activities from inception to implementation.
Demonstrated ability to think creatively and outside the box,
challenge the status quo, introduce new ideas and apply innovative solutions.
Self-motivated, strategic and analytical thinker with high level
of initiative and attention to detail.
Strong ability to influence, lead and drive change across practice area(s).
Exceptional organizational skills with keen time management skills
to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate
effectively across all levels of the Firm, both internally and externally.
Demonstrated ability to learn new technology quickly and work
proficiently in Microsoft Office 365.
Previous experience in law firm management required.
Clyde & Co shifted to virtual work for the majority of our
lawyers and business services team with the global outbreak of
Covid-19. This precaution was taken to help protect our people,
clients and communities. It is likely that this role will start
virtually while the firm continues to evaluate the situation.
-Principals Only-
It is the policy of the Firm to recruit, hire, promote, reassign,
compensate and train highly- qualified persons without regard to
race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,
religion, national origin, age, disability or any other basis
protected by applicable law.