Department Operations Specialist - IP Department (KC or St. Louis)

EMERGE; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Life, AD&D, and disability insurance

401(k) with firm contribution

Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Professional development and long-term

career growth opportunities

Job summary

EMERGE in St. Louis, MO is seeking a Department Operations Specialist to oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and operational improvements for the Intellectual Property department.

The role centers on partnering with department leadership, attorneys, and cross-functional teams to optimize workflows and strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate brings 5+ years in business operations, strong analytical abilities, and excellent communication skills to drive data-driven decisions in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Requires 5+ years in business operations, project management, or analytics.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or related field.
• Experience in a law firm or professional services preferred.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily business operations for the IP department and streamline workflows.
• Manage department budgets, forecasting, and reporting to support strategic planning.
• Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends and provide actionable recommendations.
• Coordinate and manage departmental projects and strategic initiatives with timelines.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial analysis

Project management

Operational analysis

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Accounting

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Monday.com

Smartsheet

iManage

Legal billing software

Job description

We're hiring for a highly respected national law firm known for its commitment to client service, operational excellence, and professional development. This Department Operations Specialist opportunity is ideal for an analytical and detail-oriented professional who enjoys improving processes, managing financial operations, and supporting strategic business initiatives. You'll partner closely with Intellectual Property department leadership, attorneys, and cross-functional teams to oversee budgeting, financial reporting, project coordination, and operational improvements that support the department's overall success. This role is a great fit for someone who combines strong financial analysis, project management, and organizational skills while thriving in a collaborative, fast-paced professional services environment.

REWARDS

• Competitive base salary
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with firm contribution
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Professional development and long-term career growth opportunities with a nationally recognized law firm
• Opportunity to collaborate directly with department leadership and firm executives on high-impact strategic initiatives

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional experience in business operations, project management, financial analysis, or a related field
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field
• Experience within a law firm or professional services environment preferred
• Strong experience with budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, and operational analysis
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with experience interpreting financial and operational data to develop actionable recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys, leadership, and cross-functional teams
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, including financial reporting and data analysis
• Experience with Power BI, Monday.com, Smartsheet, or similar reporting and project management tools preferred
• Familiarity with legal technology platforms, document management systems such as iManage, or legal billing software is a plus

Responsibilities

• Partner with Intellectual Property department leadership to oversee daily business operations, streamline workflows, and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency
• Manage department budgets, financial forecasting, and reporting to support strategic planning and informed business decisions
• Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, monitor performance, and provide actionable recommendations to department leadership
• Coordinate and manage departmental projects and strategic initiatives, including developing timelines