Practice Manager - Finance

Buchanan; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Buchanan, a leading AmLaw Top 50 law firm, seeks a Practice Manager, Finance to guide the strategic, financial, talent, and operational objectives of its Finance Business Unit. Reporting to the Chief Practice Officer, you will partner with firm leadership, practice leaders, partners, associates, and business professionals.

The role centers on U.S. associate staffing while supporting utilization and professional development globally.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of legal practice experience in a large law firm or corporate legal department.
• Finance-related practices experience preferred.
• Prior practice management experience in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Strong project management, organizational, prioritization, and analytical skills.
• Ability to collaborate with partners, associates, and business professionals at all levels.
• Advanced proficiency with technology, databases, presentation tools, spreadsheets, Microsoft Office, and financial/data systems.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and client-service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• J.D. preferred; MBA or equivalent industry experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Manage associate staffing and utilization, aligning with client needs and development goals.
• Support associate development, mentoring, and performance needs with practice leadership and Talent.
• Provide profitability analysis, resource planning, and financial metrics to practice leadership.
• Track metrics, staffing targets, and coordinate training initiatives.
• Collaborate with leadership to staff matters with appropriate resources and maintain relations.
• Identify opportunities to improve matter profitability and resource allocation.
• Provide ad hoc analyses related to profitability, billing, time entry, and utilization.

Skills

Legal practice experience

Finance awareness

Project management

Collaboration with partners

Analytical skills

Education

J.D. preferred

MBA or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Financial/data systems

Databases & presentations tools

Job description

A leading AmLaw Top 50 law firm is seeking a Practice Manager, Finance to support the strategic, financial, talent, and operational objectives of its Finance Business Unit.

This role will report to the Chief Practice Officer and work closely with firm leadership, practice leaders, partners, associates, and business professionals. The Practice Manager will primarily oversee associate staffing in the U.S., while supporting associate utilization and professional development globally.

Job available in any one of the following cities:

Austin, TX; San Fran, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, LA, MIA, NYC, Portland, SAC, Santa Monica, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Wheeling, WV

Key Functions

• Associate Staffing & Utilization: Manage work allocation, monitor associate availability and utilization, support staffing requests, and help ensure assignments are distributed in alignment with client needs and professional development goals.
• Professional Development & Talent Management: Support associate development, training, mentoring, integration, and performance needs while partnering with practice leadership and Talent on hiring targets and staffing requirements.
• Practice Management & Financial Analysis: Support practice leadership with profitability initiatives, resource planning, financial analysis, billing and collections metrics, utilization, strategic projects, and overall practice administration.

Additional Responsibilities

• Track and analyze associate metrics, including availability and utilization.
• Partner with associates and practice leadership to support productivity goals.
• Identify staffing needs and hiring targets.
• Coordinate substantive training initiatives.
• Support the integration of new associates and of counsel.
• Collaborate with innovation and support teams to ensure matters are staffed with the appropriate resources.
• Build strong relationships with practice group leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve matter profitability and resource allocation.
• Provide ad hoc analysis related to profitability, billing, collections, time entry, and utilization.
• Support practice group communications and administrative initiatives.

Qualifications

• Strong preference for candidates with at least 5 years of legal practice experience in a large law firm or corporate legal department.
• Significant experience within Finance-related practices preferred.
• Prior practice management experience within a law firm or professional services environment is preferred.
• Strong project management, organizational, prioritization, and analytical skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with partners, associates, and business professionals at all levels.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information.
• Advanced proficiency with technology, databases, presentation tools, spreadsheets, Microsoft Office, and financial/data systems.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and client-service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• J.D. preferred; MBA or equivalent industry experience considered.