Partner Operations Director: Lifecycle & Governance

Sidley Austin LLP; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 161,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP is seeking a Partner Operations Associate Director to lead the firm’s Partner Operations and build the governance, onboarding, and lifecycle processes that support Partner relationships. This role will collaborate across multiple departments to modernize workflows and ensure a high-touch Partner experience.

The position requires a minimum of 12 years in operations or a related field, with a proven ability to manage complex processes in a matrixed environment and lead teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Operations, HR, or related field.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in operations or related field.
• 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.

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.

Education

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

Job description

Sidley Austin LLP is seeking a Partner Operations Associate Director to lead the firm’s Partner Operations and build the governance, onboarding, and lifecycle processes that support Partner relationships. This role will collaborate across multiple departments to modernize workflows and ensure a high-touch Partner experience.

The position requires a minimum of 12 years in operations or a related field, with a proven ability to manage complex processes in a matrixed environment and lead teams.