Legal Operations Manager

MCKINLAY LAW; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A major international law firm in London seeks a Legal Operations Manager to enhance financial performance and efficiency within its practice groups. This role demands expertise in legal finance, strong communication skills, and the ability to engage with high-profile stakeholders. Responsibilities include producing financial reporting, managing budgets, liaising across departments, and implementing performance metrics. A fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded individual to thrive in a top-tier environment, accompanied by excellent benefits and a bonus.

Benefits

Excellent benefits

Bonus

Qualifications

• Experience in legal finance with strong financial planning skills.
• Ability to liaise with high-profile stakeholders.
• Proficient in forecasting expenses and budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Produce financial and performance reporting for designated practice group.
• Assist with annual budgeting process.
• Liaise with BD, HR, IT and accounting teams.
• Support the intake and approval process for new matters.
• Conduct rate modelling and profitability assessments.
• Develop pricing strategies and performance metrics.
• Educate attorneys on financial concepts and budgeting practices.
• Evaluate proposed write-downs and write-offs.
• Participate in proposal and panel renewal efforts.

Skills

Financial literacy

Legal analytics

Strong judgment

Process management expertise

Communication skills

Job description

Job Title: Legal Operations Manager

Location: London

Salary: £85,000 + Bonus

Hybrid: Yes

Major international law firm are looking for a legal operations manager to join their London ops team. The role will require the successful candidate to work collaboratively with the legal operations leadership and cross-functional teams, including BD and finance, to support the operations of one of the firm’s key practice groups. The role focuses on delivering operational strategies that improve performance, efficiency, and overall firm value. The position demands a diverse skill set, including financial literacy, legal analytics, strong judgment, and comprehensive process management expertise.

A selection of responsibilities will include:

• Produce financial and performance reporting for designated practice group and their leadership, covering key indicators such as productivity trends, utilization, realization, relative profitability, and overall financial performance.

• Assist with the annual budgeting process

• Liaise with BD, HR, IT and accounting teams

• Support the intake and approval process for new matters within the practice group and contribute to the annual planning cycle by forecasting expenses and margins, allocating budgets, and reviewing cost centre activity to ensure alignment with approved plans.

• Partner with the accounting team to conduct rate modelling, margin analysis, and profitability assessments for active matters, as well as to monitor receivables, unbilled time, billing activity, collections, write-offs, and expenses.

• Assist with shape pricing strategies and performance metrics for engagements, leveraging firm data systems, reporting tools, and analytics platforms to extract insights and build subject-matter expertise. Identify opportunities to enhance billing outcomes and profitability, and help implement initiatives to improve realization and financial performance across assigned groups.

• Assist in educating attorneys on financial concepts, performance indicators, budgeting practices, and profitability objectives at the individual, client, and group levels.

• Evaluate proposed write-downs and write-offs for potential impact on matter-level and group-level profitability, and work closely with practice leadership, partners, revenue teams, and matter management professionals to drive improved client and matter economics.

• Participate in proposal and panel renewal efforts by reviewing proposed rates and alternative fee structures, with a focus on optimizing financial results for both new and ongoing client relationships.

The client are looking for a candidate with a background in legal finance and strong financial planning and analytical expertise. It is also essential that you have very strong communication skills as there will be extensive liaison with high profile stakeholders.

Fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded legal finance professional who is looking for a change / new challenge in a top firm. Excellent benefits on offer as well as a bonus.