Practice Analytics Senior Manager

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP•Los Angeles, CA

3d•$175,000 - $190,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm that combines legal services, advocacy and business strategy. The Practice Analytics Senior Manager leads the Practice Analytics team and partners closely with Practice Management leadership and Industry and Service Leaders. The role translates financial and operational data into actionable insights that support revenue growth, margin improvement, profitability, pricing, matter budgeting, forecasting, utilization and collections, allowing leaders to focus on guiding their teams. The position leads practice-group financial planning and analysis, profitability reporting, performance reviews, resource planning, rate strategy and financial process improvements. It also collaborates with firm leaders and business functions on billing and collection performance, strategic goals, Board reporting, lateral partner diligence and integration, and analysis of market and competitor trends. The role follows a hybrid schedule, with in-office presence Tuesday through Thursday and optional remote work Monday and Friday; employees must remain available for onsite work up to five days per week when business needs require. Travel between firm offices may be necessary.

Requirements

Seven or more years of progressive experience in practice management, pricing, FP&A or related financial analysis roles in a professional services environment.
Prior experience advising partners and practice leadership.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence partners and collaborate effectively with Finance & Accounting, Billing, Attorney Development, Recruiting and other business professionals.
Exceptional organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
Reliability and ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hybrid team environment; flexibility to work onsite up to five days per week when business needs require.
Expertise in law firm financial performance drivers, including rate strategy, realization, leverage, utilization, matter profitability, WIP/AR management and collections.
Understanding of financial performance metrics and levers in a client-centered professional services environment; partnership and/or law firm experience is preferred.
Proficiency with advanced Excel functions and experience with legal financial/billing systems and reporting tools; strong Word and PowerPoint skills.
Ability to evaluate financial performance data and recommend proactive changes to improve revenue and profitability outcomes for assigned practice groups.
Executive presence and sound judgment, including discretion in handling sensitive and confidential matters.
Self-directed approach and ability to prioritize competing demands, meet varying deadlines and drive improvements with limited direction.
Ability to travel as necessary between firm office locations.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or a related field.
Advanced degree such as an MBA, JD or Master’s degree.
Experience in a partnership and/or law firm.

Responsibilities

Lead the Practice Analytics team and work with the Senior Director of Financial Analytics on team strategy and key initiatives.
Serve as the lead analytical partner to assigned Industry and Service Leaders, providing insights and recommendations to support revenue growth, margin improvement and annual targets.
Own practice-group FP&A activities, including annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, variance analysis and KPI reporting.
Develop and maintain client/matter and timekeeper profitability models and reporting, covering realization, leverage, utilization and effective rate; identify drivers and recommend corrective actions.
Oversee monthly and quarterly financial packages for leadership meetings, highlighting trends, risks and opportunities with clear narratives and recommendations.
Manage tracking and reporting of financial objectives and establish consistent definitions, dashboards and performance-review cadence.
Work with the Director of Financial Analytics on regularly scheduled reports and financial presentations for the Board of Directors.
Partner with Finance & Accounting and practice leadership to address billing and collection performance, including aging reviews, action planning and escalation of at-risk matters.
Partner with Marketing and Business Development to develop and implement strategic goals and track performance over time.
Monitor matter lifecycle financial health, including budget-to-actual, WIP, AR and write-downs/write-offs, and drive issue resolution with partners and billing teams.
Improve data integrity and financial processes related to matter setup, rate structures, budgeting tools and reporting workflows, and support consistent adoption within assigned groups.
Coordinate resource planning and workload analysis for associates, staff attorneys, contract lawyers and paralegals to support utilization goals and efficient leverage.
Monitor significant group developments, including new clients, key matters and lateral arrivals or departures, and translate their impacts into financial and capacity implications.
Monitor relevant industry and regional market trends and competitor developments, particularly rate, pricing and profitability benchmarks.
Support annual rate processes and practice-specific rate strategies with Finance and firm leadership.
Contribute financial diligence, modeling and onboarding support for lateral partners and portable practices, including post-integration performance tracking.