Chief Operating Officer

Naman Howell Smith & Lee PLLC•San Antonio, TX

41d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer serves as the senior administrative leader of the Firm, responsible for directing and coordinating all non-legal operations to ensure the Firm’s business objectives are achieved efficiently and strategically either directly or through the Firm’s management team. Working in close partnership with the President and Executive Committee, the COO provides leadership across finance, human resources, information technology, marketing, facilities, and operations. This is a hands-on, enterprise-wide leadership role designed for a strategic operator who can translate the Firm’s vision into disciplined execution. The COO will build and maintain the operational infrastructure necessary to support a growing, multi-office organization by enhancing profitability, strengthening internal culture, and ensuring the Firm’s administrative platform enables attorneys to focus on serving clients at the highest level. All non-attorney administrative departments and personnel ultimately report to the Chief Operating Officer.

Requirements

Significant senior operational leadership experience in a law firm or professional services environment, with direct oversight of multiple administrative functions.
Demonstrated expertise in financial management, HR strategy, technology operations, and organizational development.
Proven track record of building infrastructure, policies, and scalable processes in a growing organization with quantifiable impact.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, finance, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a multi-office law firm environment with 75 or more attorneys.
Familiarity with law firm economics, including partner compensation structures, realization metrics, and practice group management.
MBA, JD, CPA, CLM (Certified Legal Manager), or other relevant professional certification.
Experience with legal technology platforms such as document management systems, time and billing software, and AI-assisted tools.
Prior role as COO, Executive Director, Firm Administrator, or equivalent in a legal or professional services partnership.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted partner to the President and Executive Committee in shaping firm strategy, growth priorities, and organizational direction.
Translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans with clear metrics, accountability, and reporting rhythms across all departments.
Lead and support firm governance initiatives, partnership communications, and leadership alignment.
Champion change management and internal communications, introducing structure and systems upgrades while respecting the Firm’s culture and history.
Represent operations in partner meetings and firm-wide forums; serve as a bridge between administrative functions and the partnership.
Cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability, collaboration, and professional excellence across all offices.
Operate as an integrator across leadership, driving execution through trust, influence, and sound judgment rather than formal authority alone.
Direct all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, billing, collections, and financial reporting.
Develop and monitor key performance indicators for profitability, utilization, realization, and overhead efficiency.
Utilize financial dashboards and KPI reporting to give leadership visibility into firm performance and support data-driven decision-making.
Collaborate with firm leadership on pricing strategies, client profitability analysis, and resource allocation.
Support partner compensation modeling, distributions, and capital planning.
Ensure compliance with applicable tax, audit, and regulatory requirements.
Manage the Firm’s in-house HR team and oversee firm-wide HR strategy, including recruitment, retention, career pathways, performance management, total rewards, and professional development for all non-attorney personnel.
Assist the Executive Committee in associate attorney compensation, bonus evaluation, and professional development initiatives.
Work with HR to help design and maintain scalable HR policies, employee handbooks, and compliance frameworks.
Provide direction on employee engagement, retention, and wellness programs that reinforce the Firm’s values and support a high-performance culture.
Work in tandem with HR to help manage compensation benchmarking, benefits strategy, and total rewards programs.
Serve as a cultural steward and a trusted resource for conflict resolution and employee counseling when needed.
Manage the Firm’s in-house IT team and outsourced IT vendor to oversee the Firm’s information technology function, including infrastructure, cybersecurity, practice management systems, and help desk operations.
Ensure secure, modern, and scalable technology that supports attorney productivity and cross-office collaboration.
Evaluate and implement legal technology platforms and tools, including document management, time and billing, AI-assisted solutions, and workflow automation that are aligned with the Firm’s strategic goals.
Lead disaster recovery planning, business continuity protocols, and data governance.
Manage technology vendor relationships, maintenance contracts, and system performance.
Monitor emerging technologies and recommend cost-effective adoption strategies that enhance client service and operational efficiency.
Manage the Firm’s in-house marketing team and oversee administrative support for marketing and business development activities, including the Firm’s website, digital presence, branding, and thought leadership.
Coordinate with attorneys on client development initiatives, event sponsorships, and pitch materials.
Support external communications, client feedback programs, and cross-selling opportunities.
Ensure consistent brand messaging and quality across all offices and platforms.
Align marketing efforts with practice group growth goals and geographic priorities.
Foster attorney engagement in marketing, networking, and community involvement activities.
Oversee real estate, facilities, and office services across all five locations, ensuring high service levels and cost-effective management.
Lead office space planning, lease administration, and renovation or expansion projects as needed.
Manage vendor relationships, purchasing, and office services including equipment, supplies, and mail operations.
Drive process improvement initiatives across administrative workflows, records management, and matter intake.
Manage the Firm’s insurance programs, including professional liability, business interruption, and cyber liability coverage.
Ensure operational compliance with professional, regulatory, and cybersecurity requirements.
Maintain and update internal policies, procedures, and business continuity plans.