Director of Administrative Operations

Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith Anderson, a well-established mid-size law firm in Raleigh, NC, seeks a Director of Administrative Operations to lead day-to-day administrative services. This exempt, full-time role reports to firm leadership and collaborates with the COO to translate goals into effective processes and high-quality service delivery.

The ideal candidate has 7–10 years in administrative/operational roles, with proven leadership in law-firm settings, HR, and facilities management.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressively responsible administrative, operations, HR, or professional services management experience, preferably in a law firm.
• Experience supervising administrative professionals and support staff.
• Strong knowledge of law firm operations, confidentiality, and professional service expectations.
• Proven ability to lead people, manage performance, and build relationships across levels.
• Experience developing and improving policies, procedures, staffing models, and service standards.
• Understanding HR processes, recruiting, onboarding, and compliance considerations.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, development, workload guidance, and performance management for administrative teams.
• Partner with firm leadership to align resources with attorney needs, client service, deadlines, and workflows.
• Evaluate staffing, coverage, work allocation, and service levels; propose improvements for efficiency.
• Support HR operations including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and policy administration.
• Manage facilities, office services, vendors, space planning, and records support.
• Assist with budgeting, vendor relationships, and resource planning for administrative functions.
• Serve as liaison among administrative teams, HR, and firm leadership to foster communication and collaboration.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

HR

Facilities management

Policy development

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/HR/related

Tools

Microsoft Office

HR systems

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director of Administrative Operations

Full-time Regular Raleigh, NC, Raleigh, NC, US

JOB TITLE: Director of Administrative Operations

STATUS: Exempt

Type: Full Time

Smith Anderson is a well-established and dynamic mid-size law firm, providing top-tier legal services to clients across a range of industries. We value a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive culture where our people are empowered to think big, grow professionally, and make meaningful contributions every day. We’re seeking a Director of Administrative Operations to add to our leadership team.

The Director of Administrative Operations is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative operations of the firm. This role provides practical, hands-on leadership for legal support services, facilities, office services, and human resources, ensuring these functions operate efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with firm priorities. Working closely with the COO, the Director helps translate firm goals into effective processes, and strong service delivery. The successful candidate will be an experienced people leader and operational problem-solver who can manage competing priorities, support change, strengthen administrative workflows, and maintain high standards of service, confidentiality, accountability, and compliance.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, development, workload guidance, and performance management for the administrative teams.
• Partner with firm leadership to ensure legal support resources are aligned with attorney needs, client service expectations, deadlines, and administrative workflows.
• Evaluate staffing needs, coverage models, work allocation, and service levels across administrative teams; recommend practical improvements to enhance efficiency and responsiveness.
• Support human resources operations, including employee relations, recruiting coordination, onboarding, performance management, policy administration, employee communications, and compliance-related processes.
• Manage facilities and office services functions, including office maintenance, space planning, supplies, records support, reception, mail, hospitality, vendor coordination, and related service delivery.
• Assist with budgeting, expense management, vendor relationships, contract administration, and resource planning for administrative functions.
• Serve as a trusted liaison among administrative professionals, office services, HR, and firm leadership, promoting clear communication and a collaborative work environment.
• Maintain awareness of legal industry operations, employment-related requirements, confidentiality obligations, workplace safety expectations, and firm policies.
• Lead or support firmwide operational initiatives, staffing changes, and administrative projects as assigned by the COO or firm leadership.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible administrative, operations, human resources, legal support, or professional services management experience, preferably in a law firm.
• Prior experience supervising administrative professionals, legal support staff, office services, facilities, or HR-related functions.
• Strong working knowledge of law firm operations, attorney support models, confidentiality requirements, administrative workflows, and professional service expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead people, manage performance, resolve operational issues, and build effective working relationships across all levels of the firm.
• Experience developing, documenting, and improving administrative policies, procedures, staffing models, and service delivery standards.
• Practical understanding of HR processes, employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, performance management, policy administration, and employment compliance considerations.
• Experience managing facilities, office services, vendors, supplies, space needs, and administrative budgets.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance strategic priorities and hands‑on daily operational needs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with legal, HR, document management, timekeeping, or other administrative systems.
• Ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment, professionalism, and confidentiality in a fast‑paced law firm environment.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, human resources, management, legal studies, or a related field preferred or equivalent professional experience.
• Relevant HR, legal administration, facilities, project management, or leadership training or certification is a plus.

Smith Anderson is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and maintaining a diverse work force. It is the policy of this Firm to recruit, hire, train, develop, promote, and compensate employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, genetic information, disability or covered veteran status.