Senior Director of Operations

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP; Washington; On-site; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP in the United States is seeking a Senior Director of Operations to lead enterprise-wide projects, optimize administrative and facilities functions, and drive efficiency across the firm.

Reporting to the COO and joining the Business Professional Leadership Team, the role emphasizes strategic planning, budgeting, vendor management, and the deployment of technology, data and AI to support attorneys, consultants and business professionals.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12+ years administrative, project and knowledge management experience in a legal, consultant or professional services environment with people-management experience.
• MBA, master’s degree or law degree highly preferred.
• Strong leadership with the ability to achieve results, manage multiple priorities and projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel to all Manatt office locations.

Responsibilities

• Streamline and optimize processes with the COO to boost efficiency.
• Develop and implement strategies and policies aligned with the firm’s strategy.
• Lead firmwide project management team.
• Oversee projects across administrative and business operations.
• Monitor timelines and ensure deadlines are met.
• Identify bottlenecks and propose workflow improvements.
• Own special projects and coordinate resources.
• Optimize technology, data and AI adoption including ROI reporting.
• Collaborate with Information Services/Knowledge Management ensuring access to research resources.
• Coordinate with Real Estate/Facilities on leases, space planning and renovations.
• Collaborate with Business Professional Leaders to fulfill procurement needs.

Skills

Project management

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Budget management

Process improvement

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

MBA preferred

Juris Doctor / law degree preferred

Job description

With eleven offices across the United States, 450+ attorney and consulting professionals and 350+ business and administrative professionals, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm known for quality and an extraordinary commitment to clients. The firm’s groundbreaking approach—bringing together legal services, advocacy and business strategy—differentiates Manatt from its competitors and positions the firm to provide a unique and compelling value proposition.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is seeking a highly qualified Senior Director of Operations. Reporting to the Firm’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and a member of the Firm’s Business Professional Leadership Team, the Senior Director of Operations will be a strategic leader with proven expertise in project/initiative management, managing administrative, real estate/facilities and information services/knowledge management operations, driving organizational efficiency, managing special projects and fostering a culture of excellence in a legal, consulting or professional services environment.

Responsibilities

• Work with COO to streamline and optimize processes to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Work closely with COO, leadership and business teams to develop and implement strategies, initiatives and policies to ensure alignment with the firm’s strategy.
• Lead in the implementation of a firmwide project management team.
• Manage projects, initiatives and areas across administrative and business operations.
• Monitor project timelines and deliverable to ensure deadlines met.
• Identify bottlenecks and propose solutions to enhance workflow.
• Take ownership of special projects as needed and ensure project goals are met by coordinating resources and activities.
• Optimize technology, data and AI adoption, including ROI reporting, business intelligence, etc.
• Work closely with COO and the Information Services/Knowledge Management team ensuring that all aspects for the Firm’s library operations are running efficiently and that attorney, consulting and business professionals have access to comprehensive legal and other research resources and support.
• Works closely with COO, Director of Real Estate and Facilities and Directors of Administration in regard to leases, security, space planning, occupancy, new space, renovations, maintenance and other firm needs to ensure all strategic and operational needs are met.
• Works closely with COO, Director of Real Estate and Facilities and Business Professional Leaders to execute upon all procurement needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field is required; an MBA, master’s degree or law degree is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 12+ years relevant administrative, project and knowledge management experience in a legal, consultant or professional services environment with people-management experience.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate needs, identify opportunities and drive initiatives to completion.
• Proven leadership characteristics, including the ability to achieve results, manage multiple priorities and projects, handle complex relationships, and develop employees.
• Analytical skills including aptitude for detail, and logic with extensive office management and administration experience in order to fulfill expectations.
• Proven ability to unite and lead diverse team members effectively, fostering a cohesive and productive environment.
• Ability to work discreetly with confidential information and situations.
• Fundamental proficiency in planning, allocating and reconciling an operations budget.
• Knowledge of current facilities, office administration, reception, library, and legal support best practices and procedures.
• Experience managing vendor and contractor relationships preferred.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to gather information from a broad range of sources and influence others to make changes.
• Absolute trustworthiness, confidentiality, discretion and superb judgment are musts.
• A passion for challenging the status quo.
• Must be a strong collaborator and able to work across multiple departments and levels with a disdain for organizational politics, gamesmanship and positioning.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and meet varying deadlines. Exceptional project management skills a must.
• Ability and willingness to travel to all Manatt office locations.

The base annual pay range for this role is between $250,000-$300,000. The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience, location and will also take into account internal equity. A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER/Veterans/Disabled

Manatt is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex or gender (including gender identity, gender expression, status as a transgender or transsexual individual, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (over 40), genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, sexual orientation, political activity or affiliation, genetic or and any other protected classes or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, and local law. Consistent with the American Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.

This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each newemployee’s Form I-9 to confirm workauthorization.

IMPORTANT: If the Government cannotconfirm that you are authorized to work,this employer is required to provide youwritten instructions and an opportunityto contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, includingterminating your employment.

Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9.In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid, this employer uses E-Verify’s photo screening tool to matchthe photograph appearing on somepermanent resident and employmentauthorization cards with the official U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services’(USCIS) photograph.If you believe that your employer hasviolated its responsibilities under thisprogram or has discriminated againstyou during the verification processbased upon your national origin orcitizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).