Partner Operations Associate Director

Sidley Austin LLP; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 161,400 - 229,950; Full time

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP seeks a Partner Operations Associate Director to lead the Firm’s Partner Operations and build the operational infrastructure for onboarding, transitions, and lifecycle events. This role partners with diverse functions to deliver a high‑touch, coordinated Partner experience.

You will create clear processes, playbooks, templates, controls, and dashboards, driving governance, compliance, and continuous improvement in a complex, matrixed environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 12+ years in operations or a related function.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and complex processes.
• Proven ability to operate in a matrixed, service-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Partner Operations function and manage the team responsible for Partner lifecycle operations.
• Establish priorities, service expectations, workflows, handoffs, escalation paths, and standards.
• Oversee onboarding, ongoing support, transitions, retirements, separations, and post-separation activity.
• Develop standardized workflows, checklists, templates, playbooks, and process documentation.
• Provide operational guidance, tools, tracking, and process support for Partner Relations and adjacent teams.
• Own governance and compliance processes with tracking, reporting, controls, and issue resolution.
• Build and improve systems, dashboards, and workflow tools for lifecycle operations.
• Identify risks, bottlenecks, and automation opportunities; collaborate with tech/data/project management to implement improvements.
• Serve as coordination point across Firm functions including legal-adjacent matters.
• Lead, coach, and develop Partner Operations team members.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal communication

Analytical skills

Discretion

Work under pressure

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Operations, Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, or related field

Tools

Workflow tools

Case management systems

Dashboards

Automation initiatives

Job description

The Partner Operations Associate Director is responsible for leading the Firm’s Partner Operations function and building the operational infrastructure that supports Partner lifecycle processes across onboarding, ongoing support, transitions, retirements, separations, governance, compliance, and related cross‑functional workflows. This role will help modernize Partner Matters by creating clearer processes, playbooks, templates, controls, tracking mechanisms, reporting, and handoffs that enable Partner Relations and adjacent teams to deliver a coordinated, high‑touch Partner experience. Working closely with the Partner Services Director, Partner Relations, Partner Compensation & Evaluation, Partner Accounting, OGC, Tax, Finance, HR, Payroll, Directors of Administration (DOAs), local HR, and Firm leadership, the Partner Operations Associate Director will serve as a process leader, operational problem‑solver, and coordination point for complex Partner lifecycle activity.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead the Partner Operations function and manage the team responsible for Partner lifecycle operations, process execution, governance, compliance, documentation, and operational coordination.
• Establish clear priorities, service expectations, workflows, handoffs, escalation paths, and operating standards for Partner Operations.
• Oversee operational processes supporting Partner onboarding, ongoing Partner support, transitions, retirements, separations, and post‑separation activity.
• Develop and maintain standardized workflows, checklists, timelines, templates, playbooks, and process documentation for recurring Partner lifecycle activities.
• Ensure Partner Relations and adjacent teams have the operational guidance, tools, tracking, and process support needed to deliver consistent Partner‑facing service.
• Own operational governance and compliance processes within Partner Operations, including tracking, documentation, reporting, controls, recurring requirements, and issue resolution.
• Build and improve systems, trackers, dashboards, workflow tools, reporting mechanisms, and process repositories that support Partner lifecycle operations.
• Identify process risks, control gaps, handoff issues, bottlenecks, and automation opportunities; partner with technology, data, project management, and other resources to implement improvements.
• Serve as a key operational coordination point across Partner Relations, Partner Compensation & Evaluation, Partner Accounting, OGC, Tax, Finance, HR, Payroll, DOAs, local HR, and other Firm functions, including coordination with OGC on legal‑adjacent matters.
• Lead, coach, and develop Partner Operations team members, including clarifying roles, managing workload allocation, supporting training, providing feedback, and identifying staffing, process, technology, or governance improvements.

Required

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Operations, Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, or related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in operations, professional services administration, law firm administration, project management, process improvement, finance, human resources, or a related function.
• Experience managing complex processes, workflows, documentation, controls, and cross‑functional handoffs.
• Experience leading teams or managing work through others.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a complex, matrixed, service‑oriented environment.

Preferred

• Experience in a large law firm or sophisticated professional services organization.
• Experience with Partner lifecycle processes, onboarding, separations, governance, compliance, compensation‑related operations, or professional services operations.
• Experience with workflow tools, case management systems, dashboards, process documentation, or automation initiatives.
• Advanced degree, PMP, Lean Six Sigma, CPA, SHRM certification, or related credential.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

The Target Salary Range For This Role Is

$161,400 to $229,950 if located in Illinois

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email [e-mail] (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.