Practice Manager

Socket.dev; Calgary; On-site; CAD 81,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Hybrid work

Vacation days

Parental leave top-up

Retirement plan

Disability & life insurance

Employee assistance

Job summary

Gowling WLG in Calgary seeks a Practice Manager to drive operations for our legal practice groups. You will translate priorities into action, develop dashboards, manage budgets, and coordinate cross-functional initiatives with Business Services and Legal Talent.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in practice management or professional services, strong financial acumen, and exceptional communication and project-management skills. This role supports growth across our Calgary and Vancouver offices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Management, Finance or related discipline.
• 5–7 years of relevant experience in practice management, business operations, project management, legal services or professional services.
• Experience supporting senior stakeholders and coordinating cross-functional initiatives in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Strong financial acumen and experience preparing and analyzing financial and operational reports and performance metrics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day operational activities of assigned practice groups and support approved business plans, priorities and initiatives.
• Translate priorities into action plans, timelines, responsibilities and deliverables; monitor progress to completion.
• Develop and maintain practice-management tools, dashboards, trackers and reporting processes.
• Compile, validate and analyze financial and operational information including production, billings, collections and profitability.
• Prepare regular reporting packages for Practice Directors and leadership; identify trends, risks and opportunities; support budgeting and forecasting.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Communication

Analytical thinking

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Management, Finance

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

ABOUT GOWLING WLG

At Gowling WLG, our commitment to excellence begins with our people. As an international law firm with offices in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we’re proud to recruit and retain top talent who bring energy, insight, and a singular focus on delivering exceptional experiences – for our clients and each other.

We’re intentional about building a workplace that’s both high-performing and supportive, ensuring that everyone is empowered to do their best work and reach their full potential. Our culture is grounded in our shared values: Raise the Bar, Embrace Differences, and Thrive Together. These values shape how we collaborate, lead, and succeed – across teams, time zones, and career paths.

Whether you’re pursuing a role in law or business services, explore what’s possible and make your mark with Gowling WLG.

PROFILE

The Practice Manager supports the effective operation and performance of the Firm’s practice groups by coordinating business-planning activities, managing operational processes, monitoring financial and performance information, and supporting the execution of strategic initiatives.

Reporting to the Senior Practice Director and working closely with Practice Directors, Practice Group Leaders, Department Chairs and Business Services leaders, the Practice Manager translates approved priorities into coordinated action and ensures effective follow-through. The role focuses on operational execution, reporting, analysis and coordination; strategic direction and final decisions remain with the Senior Practice Director.

This position can be based out of either our Vancouver or Calgary office.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate the day-to-day operational activities of assigned practice groups and support the implementation of approved business plans, priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Translate practice priorities into clear action plans, timelines, responsibilities and deliverables, and monitor progress through completion.
• Develop and maintain practice-management tools, dashboards, trackers and reporting processes that provide visibility over performance and key initiatives.
• Compile, validate and analyze financial and operational information, including production, billings, collections, realization, utilization, profitability, work allocation, and matter and client performance.
• Prepare regular reporting packages and supporting materials for Practice Directors and practice leadership, identify relevant trends, variances, risks and opportunities, and support annual budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Coordinate practice group and leadership meetings, including agendas, materials, minutes, decisions and follow-up on action items.
• Manage practice-related projects from planning through implementation, tracking milestones, responsibilities, dependencies and outcomes, and escalating risks or delays.
• Assist with workforce planning, capacity and workload monitoring, and flag emerging resource gaps to practice leadership.
• Support the onboarding and integration of lawyers and legal professionals and coordinate practice-specific engagement, development and knowledge-transfer initiatives with Legal Talent and People & Culture.
• Serve as a central point of coordination between practice leadership and Business Services, including Finance, People & Culture, Legal Talent, Marketing and Business Development, Knowledge Management, Innovation and Technology, and Legal Support Services.
• Coordinate Firm-wide initiatives affecting legal professionals and practice groups, promoting consistent implementation across practices and offices.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting and service delivery; develop procedures, templates and best practices; and support change-management activities.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Management, Finance or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience in practice management, business operations, project management, legal services or professional services.
• Experience supporting senior stakeholders and coordinating cross-functional initiatives in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Strong financial acumen and experience preparing and analyzing financial and operational reports and performance metrics.
• Strong project-management, planning, organizational, analytical, problem-solving and follow-through skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, relationship-building and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines and to handle confidential and sensitive information with sound judgment and discretion.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with reporting and project-management tools is preferred.
• Experience in a law firm or other professional-services environment is considered an asset.
• Bilingualism is considered a strong asset.

BENEFITS/PERKS

Gowling WLG’s total rewards program is designed to foster a culture where high performance and personal well-being go hand-in-hand. We support your career and life with:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and mental health coverage, plus an annual lifestyle spending allowance
• Benefits coverage for Firm members and their dependents from day one!
• 20+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility.
• Parental leave top-up for 26 weeks (after 12 months of full-time employment)
• Group Retirement Savings Plan with employer match.
• Financial protection through short & long-term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program, guided CBT, and an internal network of 120+ trained Mental Health First Aid responders
• Recognition awards, appreciation events, and a supportive, collaborative work culture
• Perks and preferred pricing programs, referral bonuses and more

The starting range for this role is $81,000 to $100,000. Starting salary will be determined based on an applicant’s individual skills, competencies and unique qualifications. Gowling WLG employees have the potential to exceed this range based on tenure and performance.

This position is currently vacant and is open to both internal and external candidates. Gowling WLG is recruiting for this role to support ongoing firm needs and team operations.

This employer may use tools within our applicant tracking system that include artificial intelligence–supported features, such as automated candidate matching. These tools do not make hiring decisions; all screening, assessments, and selections are reviewed and completed by human recruiters and hiring managers.

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are in need of accommodation or support at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.