Managing Director, Operations

BDO USA•Pittsburgh, PA

About The Position

The Managing Director, Operations is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing the Practice operating strategy and vision, as well as leading the day-to-day operational functions within a Practice(s), in conjunction with the Managing Principal. The role is responsible for developing and implementing the strategic plan for the practice(s) overall and practice areas to meet aggressive growth targets; removing friction from our client acquisition and expansion journey, addressing organizational structure and support for growing practice areas and consolidated Advisory practice with a focus on follow through, execution, and accountability. The Managing Director, Operations is responsible for of the following areas: oversees the Practice Operations function (including a close linkage to finance), leads the Quality and Risk Management program for Advisory; serves as a liaison with the firm’s Compliance and Core Business Services functions, takes an active role in expansion efforts, participates in onshore and offshore efforts and ensures appropriate levels of participation in firm’s initiatives to drive a one firm and client focused mentality. This role works a sporadic and fluctuating schedule.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; focus in Business or Finance, preferred
Experience in project management, including developing and managing project timelines, prioritizing and assigning projects and assessing progress, required
Supervisory experience and track record of leading organizational change, required
Fifteen (15) or more years of experience in public accounting, field, consulting, organizational development, preferred
Experience with Microsoft Office Tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook) required
Superior verbal and written communication skills
Ability to effectively delegate work as needed
Strong analytical, research, critical thinking, and decision-making skills
Excellent communication skills and the ability to foster and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with professionals at all levels within BDO
Ability to act as a strategic partner to regional and local business lines, practice leadership, and management teams
Strong project and time management skills
Excellent written communication and presentation skills
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism in all matters
Ability to effectively simplify Advisory Strategies and actions, delivering presentations and facilitating action driven events, communications and visibility
Ability to work well with a team as well as independently
Capable of developing and managing a team of consulting professionals

Nice To Haves

Experience in professional services firms, including consulting, preferred
Possession of other professional degrees or certifications applicable to role, preferred
Experience with Oracle or other financial reporting software preferred

Responsibilities

Plays a key role in driving strategic initiatives with a focus on removing friction from Operations and Risk processes as well as the follow through, execution, and accountability needed to evolve to a Client Driven Culture
Develops assessments of current state and business plans for aggressive growth and profitability, based on unique firm differentiators, client/market needs, regulatory/legal/economic trends and competitive research and strategies for both organic and inorganic opportunities
Presents strategies, recommended implementation steps and results to Principals, employees, vendors, counsel and financial entities
Aligns operational intent of the consolidated practice with actual results and provides visibility, programs and actions for business leaders to proactively address business challenges to produce results
Works closely with Learning & Development to execute the practice’s continuous learning curriculum in a manner consistent with the strategic vision
Acts as the sounding board to the MP for new ideas, initiatives, and strategies as well as strategic guidance related to compliance and market influences that impact the practice.
Builds trusting relationships with Operational Leaders such that successful strategic actions executed in one practice can be shared with others
Develops structures and processes to advance growth objectives, reduce overhead, improve individual performance, quality, and financial results, focused on business success and retention of our top professionals
Develops assessments of current state and business plans for growth and expansion. Lead executive working with M&A to drive due diligence, closing checklists, financial modeling, onboarding, and integration planning
Develops target profiles in conjunction with Managing Principals, Advisory and Managing Principals of Advisory Practices
Works with internal and external resources to identify potential acquisition targets or strategic partners
Assesses potential acquisition targets for strength of business case, and builds mindshare among Advisory and Firm leadership on target pursuit
Develops relationships with target firms and acts as lead business executive to inform and convey the value of BDO
Assists with development of financial models and transactions structures
Assists with legal documents and schedules related to acquisitions
Directs project management of due diligence and day 1 operational conversion
Works with firm resources to ensure a smooth post-merger integration that yields the expected results of our business case
Develops processes to define a strong operational approach to the M&A program for advisory
Works closely with Advisory Integration to ensure effective implementation of customized expansion integration and onboarding professionals
Drives the business acumen and roadmap to success along wit MP to provide consistent communications of financial results to the consolidated practice, including monthly dashboards and other key business indicators and trends
Provides visibility, tools and actions to Advisory Operational Leaders that connect to overall Advisory growth, profit and retention targets.
Actively works with the Operational Leaders and the MP to drive results and proactively address business trends and issues
Attends meetings and calls (when appropriate) on behalf of the MP due to time or resource constraints
Writes first drafts of proposals, e-mails, and communications for MP review and distribution
Acts as the communication arm for the NMP with other leaders in the organization
Works in tandem with People & Culture to monitor and assess appropriate levels of staffing. Makes assessments and works with Talent Acquisition as needed
Assists Operational Leaders and MP with monitoring practice headcount and financials
Retains awareness of the consolidated practice key accounts and assists Operational Leaders in monitoring the client satisfaction level with key accounts; ensures appropriate implementation of key account management program as agreed with the NMP and Operational Leaders
Oversees strategy for on-shore and off-shore resource utilization, including creating and implementing the overall business plan for international outsourcing to ensure workforce effectiveness, performance management, and deliverable quality.
Monitors monthly financial results in real time, alerting leadership to potential or actual budget discrepancies and actions to address
Develops strategies and processes to advance growth objectives, reduce overhead, improve results and retain professionals
Supports leadership in reviewing and approving the budget, including monitoring employee compensation and human capital throughout the consolidated Advisory practice
Supports leadership in monitoring and taking strategic actions to evaluate the Advisory practice client portfolio, including stratifying clients based on revenue and services provided as well as monitoring profitability by client in addition to other key performance indicators
Monitors relative office and region productivity and where discrepancies are identified; facilitates inter office resource sharing
Supports leadership in identifying and implementing CRM best practices in the consolidated Advisory practice
Works with the finance team to standardize and streamline a monthly reporting package to the Advisory Operational Leaders’ group
Supervises Operations and Quality and Risk Management teams
Acts as a career advisor as assigned
Provides coaching and support to all project teams