Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer

Zelle LLP•Minneapolis, MN

17h•$250,000 - $285,000

About The Position

Zelle LLP is an international litigation law firm with offices across the United States and in London. We represent clients in their most challenging insurance-related disputes, antitrust/competition litigation and other complex business litigation in venues across the United States and around the world. Our experience in successfully resolving high-profile, high-exposure cases and our commitment to efficient and responsive service supports everything we do. Our commitment to building community, culture, diversity, focusing on shared financial rewards, and career growth are the core values that make Zelle a different kind of firm. We are looking for a Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer to succeed our retiring COO/CFO who will support a smooth transition. The ideal candidate will bring senior leadership experience in a professional services environment and will value the importance of firm culture, financial rigor and long-term relationship building. The Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer (COO/CFO) works closely with the Managing Partner & Executive Committee to develop and implement the firm’s business strategy while leading the firm’s business operations. This role provides overall leadership across the firm’s administrative functions and helps ensure operations, financial performance and culture support the firm’s long-term goals. The COO/CFO participates in weekly Executive Committee meetings, bi-weekly Management Committee Meetings and quarterly Partner meetings.

Requirements

Experience in the legal / professional services industry.
Requires a minimum of fifteen years of financial and operations management experience, including five years of senior-level management experience.
Proven ability to lead and develop a high functioning team.
Superior communication skills coupled with the ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics.
Skilled in executive-level presentations using oral and written formats.
Ability to analyze complex business problems, propose effective solutions and understand and apply business vision and direction.
Proven ability to enhance strategic firm relationships, including relationships with clients, service providers, partners, and employees.
Superior analytical, organizational, decision making and project management skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment to coordinate multiple competing tasks and demands and work under tight deadlines.
Undergraduate degree in a related field required

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in finance/MBA preferred

Responsibilities

Works closely with the Managing Partner and the Executive Committee to develop and implement the firm’s business strategy, provides strategic counsel and ensures the alignment of the firm’s day-to-day operations with the business strategy.
Provides leadership to all non-legal functional areas including finance, accounting, human resources, technology, marketing and tax teams to ensure that each group’s operations support the overall business strategy of the firm, increase profitability and reinforce a strong firm culture.
Ensures the integrity of all aspects of the firm’s financial operations, processes and systems. This includes strategic planning, preparation and analysis of monthly financial results, annual budget process, client billing and collections, all required tax filings, profitability analysis, negotiating bank debt agreements, internal controls and required audits.
With the Vice President of HR, ensures that the firm can attract, develop and retain the highest caliber talent by providing competitive salary and benefit programs and a positive firm culture.
Works with firm leadership and IT to leverage technology that improves operations, strengthens client service, supports growth and maintains a secure, resilient technology environment.
In conjunction with the firm’s Marketing Committee and the Director of Marketing, ensures that the firm’s marketing and business development operations strengthens existing client relationships, attracts new clients and builds the Zelle brand in the market.
Supports the evaluation and integration of lateral partners and other strategic growth opportunities, including mergers and geographic expansion.
Works with Office Managing Partners to oversee office performance, budgeting, lease negotiations and related operational planning across the firm’s locations.
Provides oversight for significant firm purchasing decisions and vendor relationships to support sound financial and operational outcomes.
In conjunction with the Technology Committee and the Vice President of IT, ensures the firm stays abreast of developments in AI technology and leverages this important technology to streamline our business operations and enhance our legal services.