Director of Administration

Friedman Williams; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Friedman Williams is seeking a Director of Administration to oversee the New York, Boston, and Miami offices. The role reports to firm leadership and drives operational excellence, financial stewardship, and strategic initiatives across three locations.

The position requires a senior leader capable of aligning people, resources and processes to support growth, client service, and firm objectives, with broad responsibility across administration, HR, facilities, and operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in office administration or similar
• Proven strategic and operational leadership in a complex, partner-driven professional services environment
• Strong business acumen balancing shareholders, management, attorneys and employees
• Experience leading organizational change and building high-performing teams

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and executive oversight of three offices, aligning operations with firm priorities.
• Develop and execute long-range business and operational strategies with senior leadership.
• Anticipate growth needs and design staffing structures and support capabilities.
• Oversee office administration, standards for performance, efficiency, and client service.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives within budgets and timelines.
• Partner with HR and leadership on talent management and personnel initiatives.
• Create and manage budgets, financial performance, and cost control across offices.
• Collaborate with Business Development and Marketing on client-service initiatives.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Multi-office management

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Director of Administration New York NY

Job ID: 21783

Director of Administration

New York | Boston | Miami

The Director of Administration is a senior business leader responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of the Firms New York, Boston, and Miami offices. Serving as a trusted advisor to the Office Managing Partners and firm leadership, this individual drives organizational effectiveness, operational excellence, and long-term business strategy across all three locations.

The Director plays a pivotal role in shaping the offices strategic direction, anticipating evolving business needs, and ensuring that people, resources, infrastructure, and administrative functions are aligned with the Firms objectives. With broad responsibility spanning financial management, human resources, facilities, and business operations, this individual provides executive leadership, strengthens operational capabilities, and fosters a collaborative, high-performing environment. The role also serves as an important link between local office leadership and firmwide management, ensuring consistency, accountability, and exceptional client service.

STRATEGIC & EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

• Provide strategic direction and executive oversight of the New York, Boston, and Miami offices, aligning business operations and resources with firmwide priorities.

• Partner with Office Managing Partners and senior firm leadership to develop and execute long-range business and operational strategies.

• Anticipate future practice and infrastructure requirements, developing organizational structures, staffing models, and support capabilities to accommodate growth.

• Represent office interests in firmwide leadership discussions, strategic initiatives, project teams, and CAO staff meetings.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to office partners and firmwide leadership on business operations, organizational effectiveness, and administrative matters.

BUSINESS & OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Oversee all aspects of office administration, establishing standards for operational performance, efficiency, accountability, and client service.

• Evaluate and optimize administrative structures, staffing, and resources across all three offices.

• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and performance measures that strengthen operational effectiveness and consistency.

• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives, ensuring successful execution within established budgets and timelines.

• Identify opportunities for process improvement and leverage industry benchmarks and data to inform operational decisions.

• Partner with Business Development and Marketing on strategic business and client-service initiatives.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Develop and oversee office budgets, staffing plans, and financial performance, ensuring effective resource allocation and expense management.

• Monitor financial and operational results, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and control costs.

• Oversee billing, collections, and invoice approval processes in partnership with Finance.

• Participate in vendor selection, contract negotiations, and procurement decisions in accordance with Firm policies.

LEADERSHIP & TALENT MANAGEMENT

• Provide leadership, direction, and professional development for direct reports and business professional staff across the three offices.

• Build and develop high-performing administrative teams, establishing clear expectations, performance objectives, and accountability.

• Oversee performance management, talent development, and compensation recommendations for administrative personnel.

• Partner with Human Resources and firm leadership on attorney and employee relations, organizational matters, and personnel initiatives.

• Coordinate with HR on benefits administration, onboarding, and integration of new employees.

FACILITIES & INFRASTRUCTURE

• Lead long-range strategic planning for office space, facilities, and infrastructure, including new office builds, renovations, and future expansion.

• Oversee space utilization, facilities management, equipment requirements, and major capital expenditures within established approval authority.

• Ensure appropriate security, business continuity, and disaster preparedness programs.

• Anticipate future office requirements and develop plans to support the Firms evolving business and practice needs.

COMMUNICATION & FIRMWIDE COLLABORATION

• Establish effective communication and coordination across all three offices, promoting alignment on business priorities and firmwide initiatives.

• Represent office needs and perspectives in firmwide committees and leadership forums.

• Collaborate with other Directors of Administration to share best practices, promote operational consistency, and advance Firm objectives.

ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in office administration, business operations, or a comparable role within a law firm or professional services organization.

• Demonstrated success providing strategic and operational leadership in a complex, partner-driven professional services environment.

• Strong business acumen and experience balancing the priorities and expectations of shareholders, management, attorneys, and employees.

• Proven ability to lead organizational change, develop and execute strategic initiatives, and build high-performing management teams.

• Multi-office management and oversight experience strongly preferred.

• Exceptional financial, operational, and organizational management capabilities, with a strong focus on client service and cost effectiveness.

• Highly analytical and solutions-oriented, with sound judgment and the ability to navigate complex business challenges.

• Excellent leadership, project management, presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Familiarity with technology and IT operations, with the ability to partner effectively with specialized firmwide departments.

• Demonstrated commitment to developing talent through coaching, mentoring, goal-setting, and performance management.

• Willingness to travel regularly among the New York, Boston, and Miami office

Tagged as: Director of Administration