Partner Support Senior Executive Assistant

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP•San Francisco, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Executive Assistant is a highly skilled and trusted member of our national legal support function, Team Support. This role partners closely with firm leadership and attorneys to maximize productivity and streamline business operations. The Senior Executive Assistant anticipates needs, manages complex initiatives, and drives efficiency by leveraging technology, coordinating cross-functional efforts, delegating effectively, and mentoring colleagues. As an influential team member, the Senior Executive Assistant operates with broad autonomy to implement best practices, champion innovation, and ensure that leaders and teams can focus on high-value work that advances the firm’s strategic objectives.

Requirements

H.S. Diploma required
Minimum of 5–7+ years’ experience providing high-level administrative support in a law firm or comparable environment.
Demonstrated expertise in managing complex administrative operations; experience leading initiatives or projects is highly valued.
Mastery of MS Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook) and familiarity with legal-specific software (e.g., PreBill Manager) required.
Proven ability to leverage technology to optimize workflows
Exceptional organizational and delegation skills; adept at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with precision and attention to detail.
Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a proactive approach to challenges.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to craft executive-level correspondence and presentations.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Previous experience as a business manager or administrative chief of staff is preferred.
experience training others on tech tools preferred.

Responsibilities

Acts as a proactive advisor and key resource to assigned executives and attorneys, anticipating needs and managing competing priorities.
Builds strong relationships across all levels of the organization to facilitate effective collaboration and information flow.
Mentors administrative staff, sharing best practices in workflow management, technology use, and client service.
Serves as a go-to source for firm operations knowledge, process improvement, and internal resource navigation.
Assumes ownership of complex projects and initiatives, ensuring their successful completion through effective planning, communication, and follow-through.
Manages complex scheduling, project coordination, and logistical oversight for high-impact meetings, events, and initiatives.
Delegates routine administrative tasks to appropriate resources (WLDS, ARC, Lawyers Travel, Team Support Center, etc.), providing clear instructions and accountability while maintaining oversight of deliverables.
Synthesizes information from multiple stakeholders to prepare executive-level reports, presentations, and communications.
Maintains a deep understanding of assigned attorneys’ practices and client relationships to provide tailored support.
Champions the adoption of new technologies and process enhancements to increase operational efficiency across the team.
Ensures optimal use of firm systems and tools; introduces innovative solutions that enhance productivity.
Trains colleagues in emerging technologies and workflows to elevate team performance.
Acts as an ambassador for assigned attorneys and executives, representing them professionally in interactions with internal and external stakeholders.
Handles sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism.
Fosters a collaborative team culture by facilitating knowledge sharing, inclusive problem-solving, and constructive feedback.
Leads or contributes to special projects and firm initiatives focused on measurable process improvements.
Documents lessons learned and best practices; shares insights to drive continuous improvement across the team.
Demonstrates flexibility in adapting to changing priorities and encourages agility within the team.
Evaluates attorney requests to determine the most efficient path for completion—leveraging technology or delegating as appropriate.
Oversees billing, expense management, and compliance with outside counsel guidelines to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
Coordinates matter intake and completion of client deliverables across multiple stakeholders.