Director, Legal Operations

Nyhan Bambrick Kinzie & Lowry; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus based on performance

Hybrid (on-site 4 days/wk)

Strong benefits package

Job summary

Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry is seeking a Director of Legal Operations to lead non-financial operations—HR, IT, facilities, and attorney recruiting—working with firm management. This hands-on role requires improving efficiency, supporting growth, and executing key initiatives, with in-office presence in Chicago four days per week.

Candidates should have ten+ years in leadership within a professional services firm, a business-related Bachelor's, and advanced certifications (CLM, SHRM, PMP).

Qualifications

• Knowledge of legal or professional services operations.
• Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience in operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in business-related discipline.
• Advanced degree or professional certifications (CLM, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, PMP) preferred.
• Familiarity with case management software, IT and AI concepts.

Responsibilities

• Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement
• Personnel and HR Management
• IT Management
• Facilities Management
• Firm Marketing and Client Development Activities
• Attorney Recruiting

Skills

Leadership

HR management

IT management

Facilities management

Vendor management

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Tools

Case management software

Job description

Nyhan, Bambrick, Kinzie & Lowry is a dynamic law firm dedicated to a strong employee culture and high-quality client service. We are proud to be recognized by Crain's Chicago Business as one of its Best Places to Work for the third consecutive year.

Our newly created Director of Legal Operations role oversees Nyhan’s non-financial operations, including non-attorney personnel, legal support, IT, facilities management, and attorney recruiting. Reporting to firm management, this hands‑on leader takes ownership of improving operational efficiency, supporting growth, and executing key initiatives while helping the Managing Shareholder(s) keep the firm running smoothly and effectively. The role’s visible, hands‑on responsibilities require working in the Chicago office four days per week.

Key Focus Areas include:

• Strategic Planning: Align legal department operations with the overarching business goals of the firm or organization.
• Process & Workflow Optimization: Map out day-to-day workflows, eliminate bottlenecks, and implement data-driven improvements.
• Vendor & Outside Counsel Management: Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and track performance metrics for external services.
• Change Management: Lead training and adoption initiatives for new internal processes and technological rollouts.

Responsibilities include:

• Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement
• Personnel and HR Management
• IT Management
• Facilities Management
• Firm Marketing and Client Development Activities
• Attorney Recruiting

What is Expected:

• Ability to identify and analyze complex issues and problems in human resources, facilities, technology, and general operations. Ability to recommend and implement solutions.
• Strong leadership, organizational and time management skills, including the ability to organize self and others.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a wide range of people in a team setting.
• Proven skills in conflict resolution and decision making under time constraints.

What is Required:

• Knowledge of legal or other professional services organizations and experience in managing business operations
• Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience managing business operations in a mid-size law or professional services firm.
• Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in business-related discipline required.
• Advanced degree or professional certifications such as CLM, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR or PMP will be given preferential consideration.
• Familiarity with case management software, IT and AI concepts. Have a strong understanding of technology implementation and support needs.

Compensation and Logistics

• Chicago, full-time, hybrid (on-site 4 days per week)
• Base salary - commensurate with experience
• Bonus tied to individual and firm performance metrics
• Strong benefits package
• Reports directly to firm leadership.