Director of Financial & Strategic Analysis

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath • Chicago, IL

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

Faegre Drinker, a leading Am Law 100 law firm, has an opportunity for a Director of Financial & Strategic Analysis to work within our Finance department in our Chicago, downtown Indianapolis, Minneapolis, New York City, Philadelphia, or Washington D.C. office. This role will lead the evolution of the firm's financial planning, reporting, and analytics capabilities. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this leader will serve as a strategic partner to firm leadership, delivering data-driven insights that support decision making, improve financial performance, and advance the firm's strategic objectives. The successful candidate will build and lead a modern analysis function that combines financial expertise with advanced analytics, business intelligence, and technology enablement. This role will be instrumental in deploying new data analytics tools, enhancing executive reporting, identifying opportunities for financial improvement, and supporting a more analytical, insight-driven approach to managing the business.

Requirements

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and diplomacy skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a virtual environment (e.g., via phone, web/videoconference).
• Ability to concentrate on tasks, make decisions and work calmly and effectively in a high-pressure, deadline-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to use good judgment in taking initiative while asking for direction or clarification and consulting others, as appropriate.
• Willingness to be flexible with time and adjust to a changing work environment.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships, both internally and externally, while maintaining a client service orientation in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to use sound judgment and discretion in dealing with highly confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, organize and accurately prioritize work, be detail-oriented, understand when urgency is required and use good judgment in varied situations.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related discipline required; MBA, CPA, or similar advanced credential preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, strategic finance, business analysis, or financial leadership roles within a large law firm or legal services environment.
• Deep knowledge of law firm economics and profitability drivers, including realization, utilization, leverage, rate management, matter economics, expense management, working capital, and client and practice group profitability.
• Demonstrated experience supporting executive leadership with financial analysis and strategic decision support.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and implementing analytics solutions.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or comparable business intelligence platforms preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, and financial performance management processes.
• Partner with leadership to identify improvement opportunities within revenue, profitability, productivity, and overall financial performance.
• Develop financial models and analyses supporting strategic initiatives, investments, and resource allocation decisions.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to support management decision making.
• Lead implementation and adoption of new data analytics and business intelligence tools.
• Develop and enhance executive dashboards, KPIs, and reporting for senior leadership.
• Translate complex financial and operational data into clear and easy to follow recommendations, providing data-driven supporting information.
• Advance predictive, trend, and profitability analysis to improve financial performance.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to financial and leadership teams across the firm.
• Provide financial support and strategic guidance to functions involved in the revenue-to-cash cycle, including pricing, billing, and collections.
• Identify and collaborate with other firm leaders to implement opportunities to improve practice group and client profitability, capital, cash flow, and financial performance.
• Support firmwide compensation processes.
• Support lateral partner hiring through financial and strategic analysis.
• Manage participation in industry surveys, coordinating data collection and submission processes to support benchmarking, market analysis, and strategic decision making.
• Partner with Finance, IT, and operational stakeholders to improve data quality and reporting capabilities.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of financial and business analysts.
• Promote a culture of data-driven decision making and continuous improvement.
• Drive automation and process improvements increase efficiency and analytical effectiveness.

Benefits

• Flexible working environment for work-life success
• Opportunity to participate in firm-sponsored volunteer events
• Wellness programming with personalized content and activities
• Professional environment and the opportunity to work with experts at the top of their fields
• Variety of health plan options, as well as dental, vision and 401(k) plans
• Generous paid time off
• discretionary bonus
• life, health, accident, and disability insurance
• a 401(k) plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director