Executive Director

Friedman Williams; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Friedman Williams seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic and operational leadership across its multi-office platform. You will translate strategy into execution, drive performance, and support growth, culture, and governance.

Reporting to the CEO, you will oversee administrative functions, manage budgets, partner with the CFO on planning, and lead cross-functional initiatives to improve efficiency and service delivery across offices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of senior leadership experience with significant responsibility for operations, administration, human resources, staffing, or professional services.
• Experience overseeing administrative functions and partnering directly with executive leadership.
• Experience working within a law firm or professional services environment strongly preferred.
• Experience leading operations within a mid-to-large, multi-office organization.

Responsibilities

• Partner with CEO and executive leadership to develop and execute short- and long-term strategic priorities.
• Translate Firm strategy into operational plans, initiatives, and measurable objectives.
• Oversee day-to-day administrative and operational functions across a multi-office organization, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Committee on operational and strategic matters.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and resolve complex operational issues in support of Firm objectives.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve policies, procedures, systems, and workflows to enhance efficiency.
• Identify and implement technology, tools, and best practices to streamline operations.
• Establish and monitor operational metrics and KPIs to evaluate performance.
• Ensure operational practices align with legal, regulatory, and internal governance requirements.
• Oversee budgets, expenditures, staffing plans, and resource allocation; partner with CFO on planning.
• Evaluate performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and maximize resources.
• Promote workforce planning, staff development, and succession planning across the Firm.
• Support leadership development and training opportunities across the Firm.
• Foster a professional, collaborative culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.
• Represent the Firm professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Travel to branch offices as needed to support leadership and alignment.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy

Budgeting

Operations mgmt

Cross-functional

Communication

Change mgmt

HR

Facilities

IT awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Job description

The Executive Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the multi-office Firm, overseeing administrative and business functions to ensure efficient, scalable, and high-performing operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Director partners with executive leadership to translate the Firm’s strategy into execution, drive organizational performance, and support continued growth, culture, and governance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Operations

• Partner with the CEO and executive leadership to develop and execute short- and long-term strategic priorities.
• Translate Firm strategy into operational plans, initiatives, and measurable objectives.
• Oversee day-to-day administrative and operational functions across a mid-to-large, multi-office organization, ensuring consistency, accountability, and efficiency.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Committee on operational, organizational, and strategic matters.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and resolve complex operational issues in support of Firm objectives.

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve policies, procedures, systems, and workflows to enhance efficiency, productivity, and service delivery.
• Identify and implement technology, tools, and best practices that streamline operations and support the Firm’s evolving needs.
• Establish and monitor operational metrics and KPIs to evaluate performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure operational practices align with legal, regulatory, and internal governance requirements.
• Oversee and review administrative department budgets, expenditures, staffing plans, and resource allocation.
• Partner with the CEO and CFO on financial planning, forecasting, real estate, and other Firm-wide strategic initiatives.
• Evaluate operational and financial performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and maximize resources.

People, Culture & Organizational Development

• Partner with administrative leadership on workforce planning, staffing, retention, organizational development, and succession planning.
• Support leadership development and identify training and development opportunities across the Firm.
• Foster a professional, collaborative culture focused on accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration among Firm leadership and administrative teams.
• Partner with executive leadership on the Firm’s multi-office real estate portfolio and facilities strategy.
• Oversee leases, facility-related agreements, office openings, relocations, expansions, renovations, and operational readiness.
• Ensure facilities and infrastructure support both current operations and future business needs.
• Collaborate closely with the CEO, Executive Committee, and department leaders to ensure organizational alignment and execution of strategic priorities.
• Represent the Firm professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Travel to branch offices as needed to support leadership, operational consistency, and organizational alignment.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Exceptional leadership, supervisory, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of a mid-to-large, multi-office organization.
• Strong strategic thinking, business judgment, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee complex operations, manage budgets, and evaluate performance metrics.
• Broad understanding of business functions, including operations, human resources, facilities, and information technology.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage competing strategic and operational priorities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-responsibility environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field required.
• Demonstrated experience as an Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, or comparable senior leadership role.
• Minimum of five (5) years of senior leadership experience with significant responsibility for operations, administration, human resources, staffing, or professional services.
• Experience overseeing administrative functions and partnering directly with executive leadership.
• Experience working within a law firm or professional services environment strongly preferred.
• Experience leading operations within a mid-to-large, multi-office organization.