Houston - Practice Operations Manager - Litigation

Winston Taylor•Houston, TX

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 innovation through technology, and support the Firm’s strategic priorities at the practice level. The role monitors financial metrics, partners with stakeholders to improve operational efficiency, and supports personnel initiatives, including lateral integration and timekeeper utilization management. The position supports Winston Taylor’s Litigation practice, which handles complex disputes worldwide and includes specializations such as antitrust, trade secrets, fraud, professional negligence, product liability, class actions, and investigations. The role is based in Houston and requires the employee to live within commuting distance of a Firm office and be 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 ability to translate Firm-wide goals into actionable practice-level plans.
Must live within commuting distance of a Firm office and be able to work in the office three to four days per week.

Nice To Haves

Degree in finance or accounting 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 performance metrics.
Coordinate with the financial reporting team to enhance practice-group financial reporting and regularly report key performance indicators.
Work with Directors of Practice Operations to recommend and implement actions that improve financial performance, monitor progress, and execute related action items.
Work with Directors of Practice Operations and the Pricing Team to improve attorneys’ understanding of client and matter profitability, encourage matter budgeting and value-based fee arrangements, and increase 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 help manage the practice-group partnership candidate pipeline.
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 Directors of Practice Operations to drive and monitor practice-level execution of the Firm’s strategic plan, focusing on revenue generation and operational efficiency.
Facilitate communication between technology teams and practice groups; streamline processes and workflows and advance technology-driven efficiencies, including practice-focused AI evaluation, integration, and adoption.
Assist with special projects and Firm-wide initiatives that support client acquisition and expansion goals.