Manager of Paralegal Services

Akerman LLP•Jacksonville, FL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Akerman is seeking an experienced Manager of Paralegal Services to partner with the Senior Director of Paralegal Services in the leadership and operational management of the firm's nationwide paralegal program. This role serves as a key member of the Paralegal Services leadership team, providing day-to-day oversight of paralegals across multiple offices and practice groups while helping execute the department's strategic priorities. The Manager will lead workforce planning, talent development, recruiting, utilization, and operational excellence while promoting firmwide resource optimization through cross-office and cross-practice collaboration, ensuring the firm continues to provide exceptional legal support to its attorneys and clients. The ideal candidate is an experienced legal professional and people leader who is passionate about the paralegal profession and the development of paralegals, building strong relationships, solving operational challenges, and delivering exceptional client service.

Requirements

Minimum of seven years of law firm or corporate legal department experience, including substantial paralegal experience.
Minimum of three years of leadership or management experience.
Demonstrated success leading legal professionals in a multi-office environment.
Experience with workforce planning, utilization management, workflow coordination, and performance management.
Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced professional services environment.
Bachelor's degree.
Ability to maintain a hybrid work schedule as determined by business needs.
Occasional travel is required.
Candidates must be collaborative, resourceful, proactive, and possess exceptional communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Paralegal certificate.
Experience within an Am Law 200 firm or other large professional services organization.
Experience with legal operations, departmental management, project management, or process improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management for the firm's paralegals.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and client-focused culture.
Support employee engagement, succession planning, and career development initiatives.
Partner with Human Resources on employee relations, performance management, and talent development.
Monitor utilization, workload, productivity, and staffing across offices and practice groups.
Promote firmwide resource optimization through cross-office and cross-practice utilization, workload balancing, and capacity management.
Coordinate staffing for significant matters, transactions, trials, arbitrations, and special projects.
Partner with attorneys and practice group leaders to align staffing resources with business needs and client demands.
Analyze utilization and performance metrics to identify trends, capacity needs, and operational opportunities.
Lead recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and retention efforts for the paralegal team.
Develop and oversee training, mentoring, and professional development programs.
Promote knowledge sharing and best practices across offices and practice groups.
Assist with the implementation of departmental policies, procedures, and service standards.
Evaluate workflows and recommend process improvements that enhance efficiency, consistency, and service delivery.
Support departmental budgeting, reporting, utilization tracking, and operational metrics.
Serve as a liaison among attorneys, practice group leaders, Human Resources, and administrative departments to ensure responsive, high-quality support.