Chicago - Practice Operations Manager - Corporate

Winston Taylor • Chicago, IL

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Practice Operations Manager (POM) supports the daily operational and financial performance of the Firm’s practice groups. Reporting to the Director of Practice Operations, the POM serves as a strategic liaison between attorneys and administrative teams, helping execute practice group business plans, advance firm priorities, and drive innovation through technology. The role monitors key financial metrics, works with stakeholders to improve operational efficiency, and supports personnel initiatives such as lateral integration and timekeeper utilization management.

The position works with practice group and department leaders, finance, pricing, professional development, business development, and technology teams. It contributes to financial performance, personnel management, business planning, strategic-plan execution, and firm-wide initiatives. The role requires living within commuting distance of a firm office and being able to work in the office three to four days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 5 years of experience in law firm operations, professional services operations, or financial/business management roles.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and special projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organization, analytical, information-gathering, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written communication and well-developed oral presentation abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with partners, senior leadership, and colleagues at all levels; build relationships, foster teamwork, and drive consensus.
• Strategic thinking and strong analytical capabilities, including the ability to translate firm-wide goals into actionable practice-level plans.
• Must live within commuting distance of a firm office and be able to come into the office 3–4 days per week.

Nice To Haves

• Finance or accounting degree preferred.
• JD or MBA is a plus.
• Project management experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor department- and practice-group-level financial performance, including utilization, realization, revenue, profitability, and other metrics.
• Work with the financial reporting team to enhance practice-group financial reporting and report regularly on key performance indicators.
• Collaborate with Directors of Practice Operations (DPOs) to recommend actions that improve financial performance, monitor progress, and execute related action items.
• Work with DPOs and the Pricing Team to improve attorneys’ understanding of client and matter profitability, encourage matter budgets and value-based fee arrangements, and drive team leverage.
• Monitor and manage practice-group expense budgets.
• Assist with the transition and integration of newly hired lateral partners and groups.
• Support partnership nominations and promotions, including preparing candidate materials for Department Leadership and the Executive Committee and helping manage the candidate pipeline by Practice Group.
• Collaborate with the Professional Development team on associate training programs aligned with firm strategic priorities.
• Help ensure practice groups meet and communicate regularly and effectively about practice development, business development, talent management, and financial performance.
• Assist in developing and executing department- and practice-group-level business plans with Practice Group Leaders and Business Development teams.
• Collaborate with the Chief of Practice Operations and DPOs to drive and monitor execution of the practice components of the Firm’s strategic plan, focusing on revenue generation and operational efficiency.
• Facilitate communication between technology teams and practice groups to streamline processes, enhance workflows, and improve efficiency through technology, including evaluating, integrating, and adopting practice-focused AI.
• Assist with special projects and firm-wide initiatives that support client acquisition and expansion goals.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits package.
• Yearly retirement contribution.
• May include an annual discretionary merit bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits providing coverage and support for full-time employees and their families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager