Client Operations & LPM Manager

Ropes & Gray LLP; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,800 - 222,350; Full time

Job summary

Ropes & Gray in San Francisco seeks a Manager in Client Operations Services & Legal Project Management to guide matter management, budgets, and client relationships. You will analyze data, develop matter work plans, and build budgets while collaborating with lawyers and clients to improve delivery of legal services.

The role requires experience leading teams, strong analytics, and the ability to influence outcomes in a global firm.

Qualifications

• Maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal affairs and client information; understand ethics of the position, including rules of legal ethics in regards to confidentiality, billing and client representation and advocacy.
• Build relationships, influence and foster a collaborative approach with internal clients across practice groups and all departments and levels of the organization.
• Effectively convey solutions to stakeholders, explaining results within a legal project management framework and achieving buy‑in from legal teams.
• Work effectively in a multi‑office and culturally and educationally diverse environment.
• Be flexible to meet the demands of working at a global law firm and be available for travel.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree; J.D. or MBA preferred.
• Have at least 7 years of experience working in a law firm, corporate legal department, financial institution or other large complex organization; professional services experience is preferred.
• Demonstrate exceptional client service orientation with financial acumen.
• Show demonstrated experience in leading teams and creative problem‑solving, including strong business analytics, critical thinking, troubleshooting, problem‑solving and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Through close collaboration with R&G lawyers and support staff, develop a strong understanding of one or more of the firm’s practices, including strategic priorities, areas of legal focus, major clients and challenges; align support and service delivery with practice priorities.
• Lead client relationship and practice group support with the help of the team's senior analysts and analysts, leveraging the technical expertise of the team’s Infrastructure team.
• Collaborate with partners who lead client relationships and with clients' legal department staff; design and implement processes and tools that address clients’ priorities and enhance the client relationship.
• Develop, maintain and enhance a portfolio of practice‑specific resources that help lawyers identify and communicate the cost and scope of legal work, spot risks for cost overruns, monitor run rate and leverage the firm’s technology and knowledge resources to optimize legal service delivery.
• Apply and advocate for legal project management best practices—including scoping, budgeting, progress reporting, team and client communication and efficiency (including the application of technology and alternative staffing).
• Establish and partner with a network of peers in Finance, Business Development, Practice Development, Knowledge Management and other staff support teams to design and deliver innovative solutions to lawyers and clients and facilitate process improvement.
• Use team technology platforms and apply effective data storytelling techniques to help attorneys optimize matter management and answer clients’ questions; analyze financial metrics and data, and use it to raise issues and make recommendations to lawyers.

Job description

About Ropes & Gray

Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm. The firm has been ranked in the top three on The American Lawyer's prestigious A-List for eight consecutive years and #1 on Law.com's UK A-List twice in the past three years—rankings that honor the "best of the best" law firms. The firm has approximately 2,500 lawyers and professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology, and government in Boston, Chicago, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. The firm has consistently been recognized for its leading practices in many areas, including asset management, private equity, M&A, finance, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation & enforcement, privacy & cybersecurity, and business restructuring.

Ropes & Gray is an equal opportunity employer.

Overview

The legal market is undergoing a period of hyper‑change, driving opportunities for innovative thinking and hybrid careers. The Client Operations Services & Legal Project Management team thrives on these changes, residing at the intersection of process improvement, technology, data storytelling, client service and legal practice. Our mission is to strengthen Ropes & Gray's client relationships and optimize the delivery of legal services by developing innovative tools and processes that drive efficiency and meet our clients' evolving priorities.

The role of the manager is to provide lawyers, clients and support staff guidance on matter management best practices and tools, ensuring that client relationships are supported and matters are executed efficiently. This involves encouraging the use of matter work plans, scoping and building budgets, analyzing data and progress reporting, and building on the team's practice knowledge. The manager collaborates with lawyers and acts as a resource for clients, especially those with legal operations functions. A key aspect of the manager’s role is to use their experience to influence outcomes and engage in process improvement and change management.

Responsibilities

• Through close collaboration with R&G lawyers and support staff, develop a strong understanding of one or more of the firm’s practices, including strategic priorities, areas of legal focus, major clients and challenges; align support and service delivery with practice priorities.
• Lead client relationship and practice group support with the help of the team's senior analysts and analysts, leveraging the technical expertise of the team’s Infrastructure team.
• Collaborate with partners who lead client relationships and with clients' legal department staff; design and implement processes and tools that address clients’ priorities and enhance the client relationship.
• Develop, maintain and enhance a portfolio of practice‑specific resources that help lawyers identify and communicate the cost and scope of legal work, spot risks for cost overruns, monitor run rate and leverage the firm’s technology and knowledge resources to optimize legal service delivery.
• Apply and advocate for legal project management best practices—including scoping, budgeting, progress reporting, team and client communication and efficiency (including the application of technology and alternative staffing).
• Establish and partner with a network of peers in Finance, Business Development, Practice Development, Knowledge Management and other staff support teams to design and deliver innovative solutions to lawyers and clients and facilitate process improvement.
• Use team technology platforms and apply effective data storytelling techniques to help attorneys optimize matter management and answer clients’ questions; analyze financial metrics and data, and use it to raise issues and make recommendations to lawyers.

Qualifications

• Maintain strict confidentiality of the firm's internal affairs and client information; understand ethics of the position, including rules of legal ethics in regards to confidentiality, billing and client representation and advocacy.
• Build relationships, influence and foster a collaborative approach with internal clients across practice groups and all departments and levels of the organization.
• Effectively convey solutions to stakeholders, explaining results within a legal project management framework and achieving buy‑in from legal teams.
• Work effectively in a multi‑office and culturally and educationally diverse environment.
• Be flexible to meet the demands of working at a global law firm and be available for travel.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree; J.D. or MBA preferred.
• Have at least 7 years of experience working in a law firm, corporate legal department, financial institution or other large complex organization; professional services experience is preferred.
• Demonstrate exceptional client service orientation with financial acumen.
• Show demonstrated experience in leading teams and creative problem‑solving, including strong business analytics, critical thinking, troubleshooting, problem‑solving and project management skills.

Compensation and Total Rewards Package

Ropes & Gray offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package, including health and well‑being benefits, personal and professional development, career growth opportunities, and a collegial and supportive culture. The anticipated pay range for this role is $145,800 – $222,350. The role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance; the actual offered rate will be determined by job‑related, non‑discriminatory factors.

Working Conditions

This position requires a hybrid on‑site presence as an essential function. Consistent and predictable on‑site presence is required for ongoing business continuity, professional development, and effective collaboration with colleagues and management.