Practice Group Manager

Exciting opportunity to join an experienced practice management team at an Am Law 50 firm.

The Practice Group Manager supports the Practice Group Director with the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and daily operations for the business unit. The Manager cultivates trusted relationships with partners, counsel, associates, and paralegals to foster confidence in the function and role. The Manager works effectively with colleagues in multiple departments including Finance, Talent, Marketing and IT.

Job Description

Essential Job Functions:

Timekeeper Workload Management

• Facilitate client matter staffing and resource allocation (including distribution of client development, pro bono, and shadowing opportunities) for counsel, associates and paralegals

• Monitor utilization and raise workload and development issues

• Identify issues impacting morale/productivity and recommend solutions

• Supervise leave, time off and overtime processes

• Manage absence calendar

 

Talent Management

• Develop and manage practice group specific training and professional development programs for counsel, associates and paralegals

• Liaise with presenters and the Talent Department on training curriculums, including CLE approvals

• Manage the associate, counsel, and paralegal evaluation processes, including coordinating evaluation meetings

• Assemble headcount approval data for lateral hire requisitions

• Supervise onboarding and off-boarding processes (hires and departures)

• Suggest mentor/mentee pairings and regularly check in on mentoring program effectiveness

• Manage client and interoffice secondment requests

• Support fall associate orientation, team and partner retreats, and group meetings

• Organize and manage morale building/appreciation/milestone events 

Partnership Matters

• Support the counsel and partnership promotion processes by collecting/drafting appropriate supporting documentation

• Organize strategy sessions and other senior-level meetings

 

Financial Management

• Generate quarterly, monthly, weekly and ad hoc reports

• Monitor timekeeper utilization

• Reconcile (or oversee reconciliation of) miscoded expenses

• Assist with processing of invoices for sponsorships/charitable contributions

Meetings and Events

• Introduce group meetings, create agendas, slides etc. as necessary

• Monitor meetings and document required follow-up for Practice Group Director and Practice Group Leaders

• Serve on group committees, as needed

 

Marketing and Client Development

• Liaise with dedicated marketing professionals on matters relating to marketing and client development for the practice group

• Provide data for RFPs, directories, and surveys

• Respond to other marketing and BD requests

• Manage conference approval and attendance processes

• Manage client event approval and attendance processes, including coordinating with partners and their assistants to ensure that tables are fully allocated

• Assist with marketing and client development projects and events as needed

 

Practice Management Collaboration

• Collaborate with colleagues across practices to ensure consistency of processes and share best practices

• Identify and suggest improvements for inefficiencies

 

Knowledge Management

• Collaborate with Knowledge Management Lawyer on staffing for OnPoints, regulatory updates and training programs

• Remain abreast of innovation developments for benefit of the team

• Responsible for maintenance of the PG’s intranet pages

• Collaborate with Research Services regarding piloting new subscriptions and tools

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

• Solid understanding of the professional services industry

• Knowledge of management concepts and ability to delegate

• Motivated and pro-active

• Ability to:

  • build strong relationships

  • communicate clearly and effectively with people at all levels within the organization and firm

  • collaborate across offices, practices and functional lines identify issues and escalate as necessary

  • understand and interpret financial data

  • manage details and maintain a high level of organization across multiple projects

  • receive, distill and manage information from numerous sources

  • constantly learn new skills as they become necessary

  •  maintain confidential information

• Committed to providing high quality customer service

• Polished verbal and written communication skills

• IT literate

Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree and experience in financial services/the investment management area (preferred) or corporate area or evidence of previous work experience in subject matter area

• Five or more years overall relevant experience

Additional Job Description

At the time of this posting, the salary range for this position in Washington, DC and New York, NY are $130,000.00 to $170,000.00 annually.  Actual compensation is commensurate with job related knowledge, skills, experience and location of the position.

Location(s)

Washington DCBoston, New York

Time Type

Full time

Dechert LLP is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination. The Firm prohibits unlawful discrimination in any term or condition of employment against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, membership or service in the armed forces, or any other characteristic protected by law.