Practice Director, Financial Institutions Group

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP•New York, NY

9d•$300,000 - $350,000•Onsite

About The Position

Davis Polk is seeking a Practice Director for its Financial Institutions Group (“FIG”). The Practice Director will work with FIG leadership and the broader FIG partnership in the development and execution of practice strategic initiatives. The Practice Director collaborates closely with other Business Services professionals across Business Development, Knowledge Management & Innovation, Finance & Accounting, Legal Recruiting, Professional Development, and other administrative functions to execute on practice strategic priorities. The Practice Director also supports the FIG partners with practice administration, including but not limited to practice coordination; practice presentations, communications, billing and reporting; and client onboarding and coverage. This role will report into FIG Practice Group Coordinators and the Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer.

Requirements

Highly motivated, responsive and conscientious, with a commitment to delivering excellent client service and desire to be key part of a growing, successful business
Detail-oriented, organized and driven, with the ability to take ownership of projects and responsibilities effectively in a team-oriented environment
Ability to establish rapport and build relationships and credibility with internal stakeholders at every level of the organization
Ability to maintain professional composure in high- pressure situations and a fast-paced, multi-authority environment
Able to propose creative solutions to challenging problems
Strong time-management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks quickly and efficiently
Ability to maintain utmost discretion of confidential information
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Availability during standard office hours and the ability to respond to email promptly outside of standard office hours and on weekends is essential
Familiarity with Excel and comfortable creating and presenting PowerPoint presentations expected
Bachelor’s degree required
7+ years' experience in a law firm or other professional services firm

Nice To Haves

JD or MBA preferred
practice management experience preferred

Responsibilities

Partner with FIG leadership and cross-functional teams to develop, implement, and monitor the practice’s business plan and strategic initiatives.
Help develop strategies for executing group goals; track and report on progress toward group goals; ensure accountability for action items and deadlines.
Coordinate with Finance & Accounting and Business Development to help ensure targeted financial performance, and to conduct market research and analysis in support of practice strategy and growth.
Manage special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of practice leadership, ensuring alignment and engagement across stakeholders.
Assist FIG leadership in communications and planning with Firm leadership about group strategic plans and execution.
Organize and support FIG partner and practice group meetings, including agenda preparation, meeting materials, and follow-up on action items.
Collaborate with Finance & Accounting to monitor practice group financial performance, prepare reports, and recommend actions to help optimize performance, address operational needs and opportunities, including matter coding.
Collaborate with Professional Development to monitor activity levels and utilization and recommend actions to address operational needs and opportunities.
Lead and coordinate internal communications for the FIG practice, including group announcements, intranet updates, and presentations.
Act as a liaison between the FIG and other firm departments to facilitate seamless collaboration and information sharing.
Identify and pursue client opportunities, support preparation of pitches and RFPs, and maintain marketing materials.
Coordinate client coverage activities and ensure effective tracking of meetings, follow-up, and relationship management.
Support the planning and execution of client events, external presentations, and other visibility-building initiatives in partnership with relevant teams.
Coordinate with Legal Recruiting regarding entry-level and lateral hiring needs, including maintaining and reporting on leverage levels, recruiting goals, progress against those goals, reporting on challenges and market intelligence.
Collaborate with Professional Development regarding onboarding, integration and regular check-ins of entry-level and lateral attorneys into the group, including helping to prepare integration plans and facilitating connections within the group and across the Firm.
Oversee development and maintenance of practice group templates, databases, other knowledge resources and technology (including AI use cases and tools).
Develop programs to address the practice-specific training needs of the group.