Practice Group Manager - Tax & Tax Controversy

Gibson Dunn•Washington, DC

2h•$230,000 - $280,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision. Based in any U.S. Office, the Practice Group Manager will support day-to-day operations of the Tax and Tax Controversy practices as well as the implementation of the practices’ strategic initiatives in collaboration with practice group and practice management leadership. The Practice Group Manager is a key element of the firm’s business services function and will join a growing practice management team collectively responsible for supporting practice leaders in the management of their groups, including through: (1) serving as information conduits to support cross-department and cross-office initiatives and projects; (2) strategic planning, reporting, and meeting management; (3) talent management; (4) supporting the firm’s free market system, pipeline development, and productivity goals; (5) developing practice-specific education and trainings; and (6) supporting initiatives and projects in collaboration with a number of firm departments, including Professional Development, Marketing & Client Development, Knowledge Management, Communications, Recruiting, Diversity, Career and Alumni Services, Technology, Human Resources, and Office Administration. Communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence are important skills needed in this role along with an understanding of the life cycle of a matter and how attorneys practice in a law firm setting. This role reports to Firm’s Director of Practice Management, US Transactions under the Chief Legal Operating Officer and will work closely with the Firm’s other Practice Group Managers.

Requirements

Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with the appropriate discretion.
Exceptional verbal and written communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Collaboration and facilitation skills to work with various departments and facilitate their ability to work with each other.
Ability to work independently and with a team, and to delegate and manage resources effectively. Strong leadership skills to help lead and develop a large and geographically dispersed team.
Exhibit high degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills in exercising independent judgment and making decisions in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment.
Creative thinker who is open to considering multiple approaches to issues and collaborating with other leaders to develop and execute plans.
Strong time management skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment; ability to coordinate multiple tasks concurrently.
Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work concurrently on a variety of projects with changing priorities. Have meticulous attention to detail.
Flexible and able to multi-task, balancing priorities and tight deadlines.
Ability to build and maintain relationships with Department personnel, Firm management, other attorneys and staff.
Highly motivated, strategic focus: ability to understand and support Firm goals, services, culture and strategy in order to present self and the Firm in a positive, professional manner.
Understands and stays up to date on current legal market trends, news, and innovations.
Exhibits high degree of initiative in managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, high-stressed, detail-oriented work environment.
Strong knowledge of the legal industry, the relevant laws and regulations, and the best practices and standards.
Ability to work independently to solve problems relating to both technical issues and situations involving the coordination of, and collaboration with, attorneys, non-attorney staff and different administrative departments.
Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred- JD, MBA or other equivalent

Responsibilities

Work with practice group leadership to manage talent across the group, including through regular assessments of firm’s recruiting and senior talent pipelines, in coordination with Human Resources development of performance improvement plans, and coordination with attorney review teams.
Support the firm’s free market system from both an associate and partner perspective, including by helping lawyers identify appropriate staffing for matters and opportunities for new work.
Work with the practice management team to keep efforts plugged into the firm and visa vera.
Develop agendas and drive follow-up for regular partner and group meetings.
Work with the practice management team and practice group leadership to develop strategic business goals, objectives, and tactics in alignment with firm strategy.
Partner with marketing, business development, and communications teams to support firm’s business development efforts, including managing external events, rankings and awards submissions, client updates, identification of targets for existing clients and more.
Manage tracking of all practice specific data including pitches, targets, client outreach, and staffing.
Work collaboratively with peers across the firm’s business support departments to manage initiatives and support business strategies as determined by practice groups.
Work cross-functionally with professional development and diversity departments to support and promote attorney development and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Work with professional development team to develop practice-specific educational trainings and CLE programming.
Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive follow-through on execution.
Work to manage the associate journey for practice groups. This includes mentorship, review support, low billing and other career guidance.