Pricing Specialist

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is seeking a Pricing Specialist in Toronto with 2+ years in finance analytics to optimize pricing models and profitability for client engagements. You will collaborate with Client Development, lawyers and Partners to craft AFAs, run pricing scenarios, and support budget management within Aderant.

The role is hybrid in a Canadian setting, combining office work with up to two remote days per week, and offers growth in a leading Canadian law firm.

Qualifications

• University degree in a business discipline with at least 2 years in finance analytics.
• An accounting designation (CA/CGA/CMA) is preferred or equivalent experience.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of pricing, AFAs and cost of services in professional services.
• Experience supporting senior management on business strategy issues.
• Ability to manage multiple engagements with tight deadlines.
• Project management experience is an asset.
• Advanced Excel and familiarity with SQL/ADERANT/SSAS tools.

Responsibilities

• Working with Client Development and lawyers on pricing for RFPs.
• Developing AFAs and fee estimates with guidance for Partners and BMC.
• Enhancing tools to capture billing arrangements and monitor pricing performance.
• Assisting profitability analyses of engagements.
• Analyzing fee data and creating budget templates for matters.
• Contributing to client profitability initiatives and pricing models.
• Leading the annual client/matter rate renewal process.
• Maintaining volume discount and fee credit tracking files monthly.
• Triage fee arrangements and update budgets in Aderant.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Pricing knowledge

Senior management support

Autonomy & time management

Proactive mindset

Project management

Excel, SQL, SSAS

Education

Business degree

Accounting designation (CA/CGA/CMA) preferred

Tools

ADERANT

MS Access

SQL

Job description

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is one of Canada’s leading business law firms. Advising many of Canada’s corporate leaders, as well as U.S. and international parties with extensive interest in Canada, our more than 1,000 firm members are based in offices in Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary and New York.

Osler prides itself on attracting and maintaining some of the brightest talent in the legal arena. Our lawyers, students, management and staff have created a unique firm culture which nurtures mentoring and the exchange of ideas. Osler is a dynamic and exciting place to further your career or carve out a new path.

Reporting to the Manager, Pricing, the Pricing Specialist plays a key role in supporting and optimizing the firm’s pricing models and strategies. The position is responsible for providing financial and profitability analysis on business proposals, and supporting the pricing team in developing, analyzing and executing creative, workable pricing solutions in response to client pricing demands.

This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

• Working closely with Client Development team and lawyers to assist with the pricing aspect of simple to medium Request For Proposals (and play a support role in the complex ones)
• Developing Alternative Fee Arrangements (AFAs) and fee estimates with guidance from Manager/Pricing Manager and providing related financial analysis and pricing scenario modeling for Partners and the Billing Management Committee (BMC) to assist them in making key business decisions
• Supporting the enhancement of tools and processes to further improve efficiency, including systems to capture billing arrangements, monitor pricing performance, and tools to streamline budget and legal project management
• Assisting the development of processes / tools to evaluate profitability of various types of engagements
• Analyzing fee data of existing matters and developing budget templates for different matter types
• Helping in various projects in relation to client profitability and pricing initiatives which may include development of pre-priced packaged legal solutions, advising firm management in assessing long-term sustainability of various legal business models, etc
• Playing a large role in the annual client/matter rate renewal process
• Preserving the volume discount master file, monitor client volume on a monthly basis and update client discounts when required
• Maintaining the fee credit tracking file, update fee credit balance and coordinate application of fee credit on a monthly basis
• Monitoring the department mailbox and triaging complex fee arrangements or rate requests to relevant team members
• Updating matter level budgets in Aderant upon request from partners, their legal assistant or other stakeholders
• Administering the tracking codes in the Matter Administration Database and in Aderant
• Providing pricing-related advice to Firm Management, our Partners and Associates
• Delivering training and coaching to the Practice Management Coordinator or others as needed

Education and Experience

The position requires a university degree in a business discipline and a minimum of two years of progressive experience in finance-related field, including analytics in a law firm or other professional service industry. An accounting designation (CA/CGA/CMA) is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be acceptable.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong analytical skills to look beyond financial data / report and prepare concise and actionable insight to aid business decision making and risk assessment
• Excellent communication skills with a calm, but confident presence for direct engagement that builds trust with senior members of the Firm, including Partners
• Working knowledge of pricing, alternative fee arrangements, negotiation tactics and costing of services in the legal or professional services context
• Experience in supporting, coaching and influencing senior management and client-facing professionals on business strategy issues
• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple engagements with tight deadlines. Excellent time management and organizational skills in order to efficiently multi-task and prioritize are critical
• Self-starter and a proactive approach with a mindset of continuous innovation and improvement
• Experience in project management is an asset
• Solid knowledge of financial analytical and reporting tools such as Excel (advanced), SQL, MS Access, ADERANT, and Microsoft SQL Analysis Services (SSAS) cubes

Compensation

Therange of expected compensation for this position is $65,000 - $75,000 annually. Compensation offered will be based on a variety of factors including job-related knowledge, education, skills and experience.

We are currently working in a hybrid work arrangement, which includes a requirement to work primarily in the office and flexibility to work remotely up to 2 days per week.

Accessibility and Accommodation

We thank all applicants for their interest in Osler; however, only chosen applicants will be contacted. Osler is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, and we welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities and people with diverse backgrounds, identities, and cultures. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates in all phases of the selection process.

Background and Reference Checks

Please note that any offer of employment will be conditional upon background and reference checks, including a criminal record check, credit check, and employment and educational verifications.

Please note that we use artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants for the position.