Senior Manager - Client Operations & Risk Management

Aird & Berlis LLP; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent Canadian law firm in Toronto seeks a Senior Manager for Client Operations and Risk Management. The role involves overseeing client onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring compliance, and providing leadership to a team of 13 professionals. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in client operations and strong leadership abilities. A competitive compensation package and opportunities for professional development are offered.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and benefits package

Mentor program

Wellness programs

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in client operations or risk management.
• Proficiency in legal practice financial management software is essential.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing a team of professionals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes of clients.
• Ensure compliance with firm policies and regulatory requirements.
• Lead mentorship and development of the team.

Skills

Judgement

Communication

Leadership

Relationship Building

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Law, or related field

Tools

ADERANT

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Who We Are :

Aird & Berlis LLP is a prominent Canadian business law firm located in the heart of Torontos and Vancouvers financial districts. With over 250 lawyers business advisors and patent agents we serve clients across Canada and globally.

What We Believe In :

The firm is committed to ensuring that all members of the Aird & Berlis LLP community feel valued respected and supported. We are a dedicated group of diverse individuals who care about each other the work we produce and the client service we provide. We go to great lengths to foster a professional supportive environment for all firm members so you can focus on the important things : client service your career and your life.

What We Are Looking For :

Aird & Berlis LLP is looking for a Senior Manager Client Operations and Risk Management who will be pivotal to providing senior leadership in overseeing a team in onboarding and offboarding processes of clients manage client operations and ensure effective risk management. This role requires a combination of conflicts knowledge project management persuasive stakeholder management leadership in innovative process excellence change management and training initiatives designed to improve awareness compliance consistency and efficiency of all procedures.

The ideal candidate should demonstrate good judgement communication leadership strong relationship management skills and a change management mindset. The successful individual will be working with a well established team of professionals ensuring seamless client service delivery and compliance with firm policies. The position is best suited for an individual who demonstrates a self-starter leadership mindset strong technical ability and is a strategic thinker.

Key Skills & Characteristics :

• Judgement - Ability to have good judgement and be resourceful to ascertain new opportunities and solutions with minimal guidance and know when to consult others when necessary
• Communication - Influential in communication with all stakeholders and demonstrate appropriate confidence in making decisions
• Leadership - Provide high level leadership qualities and skills with a sense of calm to forge positive relationships with Partners Directors and Chiefs and be integral to achieve firm goals
• Relationship Building Establishing collaborative working relationships with the focus on the Professionals
• Mentorship Able to foster a nurturing and skill-building environment among the team and create strength and growth opportunities among the team

Responsibilities :

Onboarding and Offboarding :

Onboarding :

Lead discussions with incoming lawyers regarding file transfers conflict checks and special billing requirements

Coordinate conflict clearances with the firms Conflicts Committee Chair for conflict clearances and liaise with lawyers on potential issues and manage special billing needs

Oversee the setup of files including firewall requirements for past work specialty files directorships and pro bono files

Provide instructions for file setups and be a central point of contact for incoming lawyers during their initial months

Offboarding :

Define and oversee the offboarding process including executing steps in the firms departing lawyer package which include : WIP trust and A / R management undertakings file transfers and electronic document sharing

Ensure all necessary procedures are followed for departing lawyers including final docket postings and email contacts

Client Matter File (CMF) Approvals :

Address daily inquiries investigate issues and resolve challenges related to CMF approvals

Manage service levels with respect to timely and accurate processing of CMF requests

Support and lead a well established team of 13 conflict checking and file opening professionals and responding to queries such as; engagement letters rates discount authorizations standard term changes and manage overall client operations policies and protocols

Ebilling and Client Onboarding :

Review and respond to client questionnaires and outside counsel guidelines facilitating responses and negotiating terms with clients

Oversee the onboarding process for new clients ensuring compliance with firm policies and procedures

Oversee the ebilling team to manage client matter timekeeper and rate setup in various ebilling platforms. The ebilling teams mandate also includes working with the internal billing team to submit invoices to various ebilling platforms

Rate Management :

Oversee the firms annual client rate renewal process

Prepare and review spreadsheets for rate notifications ensuring accuracy and completeness

Coordinate with stakeholders (partners clients etc.) to finalize rates and manage the approval process

Client and Lawyer Support :

Provide guidance on client / file setup discount scenarios and staffing

Manage internal lawyer personal files ensuring compliance with firm policies

Resolve matter credit disputes and mediate resolutions between parties

Team Leadership and Development :

Lead and mentor a team of 13 professionals providing training guidance and support to ensure high performance

Lead regular team meetings recruiting activities performance reviews and professional development sessions

Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment

Risk Management :

Identify and mitigate risks related to client operations and file management

Works closely with General Counsel and the Conflicts Committee regarding Lateral hires and all things regulatory including Outside Council Guidelines (OCG) and client onboarding questionnaires.

Ensure compliance with firm policies and regulatory requirements

Additional Responsibilities :

Support various projects and initiatives as requested by the Executive Committee Chief Operating Officer Chief Financial Officer or other senior leadership

Requirements :

Bachelors degree in Business Administration Law or a related field

Minimum of 10 years of experience in client operations risk management or a related area

Proficiency in legal practice financial management software (e.g. ADERANT)

Proven leadership and mentorship experience in managing a team of 13

Flexible to work over time as required

Handle time pressure situations and stress of multiple shifting demands

Proven ability to evolve operational processes and lead the implementation of technology

The ability to be prioritize and be adaptable to the changing demands of the job

Skills :

Microsoft Office 365 suite of applications

Demonstrated leadership of a hybrid team

Thrives in dynamic environments with minimal guidance and oversight

Strong verbal and written communication

Ability to problem solve remain calm and always professional even during heavy workload

Works independently

Produce the highest quality of work

Accountable for all work assigned to them and the team

Takes initiative

Confidential

Good judgement and decision making

Strong interpersonal skills without being unduly influenced

Client management expertise without compromising on standards

Organized

Resourceful

Detailed

Why You Should Apply :

Opportunities to guide a critical team providing exposure to diverse challenges and continued skill development

Competitive compensation and benefits package

We pride ourselves on being a mid-sized firm with a family feel

Active involvement in our community with opportunities to volunteer

Mentor program

Wellness programs

Any offer of employment will be conditional upon a criminal background check.

We will review applications as they are received and all applications will be kept on file. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Aird & Berlis LLP is committed to providing equal access to employment. If you require accommodation please contact Cynthia Kelly( ) and we will work with you to provide accessibility support.

Required Experience :

Senior Manager

Key Skills

Children Activity,Graphic Designing,Information Technology,FX,Airlines,Asic

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1