THE FIRM
As a leading international law firm, we are dedicated to excellence through impactful communication, collaboration, and community involvement. Our company culture has earned us one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" for 27 consecutive years. This honor, along with many others, highlights our commitment to innovation and professional development. At Alston & Bird LLP, our foundation is made of trust, reliability, and compassion.
JOB DESCRIPTION
SUMMARY
The Senior Manager of Conflicts & New Business will lead the firm’s enterprise-wide conflict of interest, new business intake, and risk management functions. This senior leader will have full autonomy to re imagine, rebuild, and direct the Conflicts Department—including operational strategy, staffing, technology, governance, workflows, and firmwide training. The Director/Sr Mgr will partner closely with the General Counsel, firm leadership, and administrative stakeholders to ensure a modern, efficient, and defensible conflicts infrastructure.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO
Strategic Leadership & Department Management
Oversee the end-to-end conflicts and new business intake function, including conflicts searches, analysis, resolution, clearance, documentation, and quality assurance.
Build and implement a long term vision for a modern conflicts department, including redesigned org structure, staffing model, and service delivery.
Act as primary advisor to the General Counsel, firm management, and partners on complex conflict of interest matters.
Technology, Systems & Workflow Innovation
Lead modernization of conflicts systems, including potential design, customization, migration, and cloud transition of conflicts platforms.(Supported by her experience designing and leading migration of conflicts software)
Evaluate, select, and implement software solutions to enhance accuracy, scalability, and operational efficiency.
Conflicts Analysis & Risk Management
Direct the analysis and resolution of conflicts across diverse practice areas, including Securities, Capital Markets, Corporate Governance, Banking, M&A, and Litigation.
Oversee review of engagement letters, waivers, outside counsel guidelines, and related risk documentation.
Ensure firmwide compliance with ethical rules, regulatory standards, and client requirements.
Information Barriers & Compliance Oversight
Manage creation, implementation, and maintenance of information barriers—ensuring consistent processes for screening, access approvals, and wall crossing requests.
Conduct periodic audits of information barriers to safeguard confidentiality and compliance.
Oversee the clearance and monitoring of securities trading requests in accordance with firm policies.
Policy Development, Governance & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Lead the development and refinement of conflicts, risk, and compliance policies and procedures.
Serve as a strategic liaison to Firm Management, General Counsel, administrative leaders, and attorneys across the organization.
Team Leadership, Training & Professional Development
Build, lead, and mentor a high performing conflicts team with clear roles and skill alignment.
Develop and deliver training programs for attorneys and staff on conflicts processes, risk awareness, and use of conflicts systems.
Establish performance goals, quality standards, and accountability measures for the department.
SKILLS NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL
Proven track record of professionalism interacting with all levels of personnel; including Attorneys and Senior level staff.
Ability to build, lead and mentor a high performing team with clear roles and skill alignment
Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
Make efficient use of time in order to handle workload and excellent follow through skills with minimal supervision.
Exceptional critical thinking and analytical skills.
High level of discretion in handling confidential information.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree is required.
8+ years of relevant conflicts research and analysis experience
Master of Studies or MBA is preferred.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Alston & Bird LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer does not discriminate on the bases of any status protected under federal, state, or local law. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in relation to our recruiting, hiring, and promoting practices.
The statements contained in this position description are not necessarily all-inclusive, additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned, and requirements may vary from time to time.
Professional business references and a background screening will be required for all final applicants selected for a position.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability you may contact donavan.mclean@alston.com.
Alston & Bird is not currently accepting resumes from agencies for this position. If you are a recruiter, search firm, or employment agency, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if Alston & Bird hires the candidate.