Chief Operating Officer

Williams Kastner•Seattle, WA

1h•$195,000 - $220,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Chief Operating Officer to be located in our Seattle office. Responsible for providing strategic leadership for the firm by working with the Managing Director, Board of Directors, and the Management Team to implement firm-wide goals, strategies, plans, and policies. Observes confidentiality of all client and firm matters. Monitor current trends and best practices in legal and professional services management; assess innovative practices aligned with the Firm’s goals, and make recommendations accordingly.

Requirements

Master of Business Administration (MBA) and/or 7 or more years equivalent experience in law firm administration operations.
Experience in managing cross-office staffing needs, ensuring consistent performance, and fostering a unified firm culture.
Well-organized and able to work with diverse and confidential information.
Solid understanding of industry specifics and business strategies.
Observant of ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness.
Strong interpersonal and group speaking skills.
Ability to communicate with a diverse group of attorneys and staff in a professional and tactful manner while maintaining confidentiality.
Seeks to mentor, inspire, and motivate others to perform well while being accepting of feedback; providing opportunities for rising talent within the firm.
Exhibits sound and accurate judgment to make timely decisions.
Observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.

Nice To Haves

Experience in law firm administration operations.
Background in and/or Solid understanding of Finance or Accounting.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.
7 or more years of progressively responsible experience, with a minimum of 5 years of management experience.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain credibility throughout the organization and with the Board as an effective developer of solutions to business challenges.
Provide leadership and management to ensure that the mission and DNA of the firm are put into practice.
Responsible for driving the firm to achieve and surpass profitability, cash flow and business goals and objectives.
Spearhead the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes both in assessment of viability of existing and new practice areas as well as in mergers and acquisitions and acquiring of new legal talent.
Collaborate with the Managing Director and Board of Directors to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes and personnel designed to accommodate the growth objectives of the firm.
Motivate and lead a high-performance management team including Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources and Marketing; attract, recruit and retain required members of the management team as needed; provide mentoring as a cornerstone to the management career development program.
Serve as lead “client-care officer” through direct contact with every member.
Assist, as required, in maintaining expenditures within approved budgetary parameters while continually evaluating to insure its reasonableness.
Foster a success-oriented, accountable environment within the firm, while providing opportunities for rising talent.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Managing Director.