Regional Operations Manager

FERGUSON BRASWELL FRASER & KUBASTA PC•Irvine, CA

1d•$165,000 - $195,000•Onsite

About The Position

FBFK Law is hiring a Regional Operations Manager to lead operations across its California offices in Irvine, Century City, and Del Mar. This is the senior non-attorney operations role in California, based in Irvine and reporting to the Director of Operations in Plano, Texas. The manager will apply and improve firm operating standards across the region, lead support staff, maintain compliance, and help managing partners focus on clients. The role has authority over operational and support-staff matters within the approved budget, and responsibility for developing California operating practices, including staff assignments, lateral onboarding, compliance calendars, and coverage plans. The manager will oversee office staffing, coverage, services, facilities, vendors, and landlord relationships; supervise legal assistants, office assistants, and reception; manage staff-to-attorney assignments and capacity; coordinate lateral onboarding with HR, Talent, Finance, and Marketing; and partner with the Director of HR on California staff recruiting, onboarding, reviews, and discipline. The manager will also maintain California employment compliance, lead workplace safety and emergency-planning programs, prepare and manage the California budget, monitor billing and time-entry deadlines, maintain Paycom data and payroll inputs, and lead Aderant adoption among California staff following the December 1 go-live. Within 60 days, the manager will assess each office and provide the Director of Operations with a written operating plan listing priorities, owners, and dates. The role then conducts weekly check-ins with each office managing partner and a monthly California operating review. The position is primarily office-based in Irvine, with regular travel to Century City and Del Mar and occasional travel to Texas. Occasional evening or weekend work may be needed for moves, firm events, or urgent matters. The role may occasionally require lifting up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

At least 8 years of office or operations leadership, including law firm experience.
At least 5 years of staff supervision experience.
Experience supporting more than one office.
Track record of standardizing operations across multiple offices.
At least 3 years of hands-on HR work, including recruiting, employee relations, and leave administration.
Working knowledge of California employment law, including wage and hour requirements, meal and rest periods, exempt classification, and leaves.
Experience preparing budgets, explaining variances, and approving invoices and expenses.
Experience managing hybrid or remote staff with clear availability and output expectations.
Bachelor’s degree in business, human resources, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Aderant experience.
HRIS or payroll experience.
Experience onboarding lateral attorneys and their teams.
Experience in both Texas and California.
CLM experience.
SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification.
PHR or SPHR certification.
ALA involvement.

Responsibilities

Oversee staffing, coverage, office services, facilities, vendors, and landlord relationships across the Irvine, Century City, and Del Mar offices.
Supervise legal assistants, office assistants, and reception staff.
Own the staff-to-attorney assignment roster, track workload and utilization, and plan coverage for leave and turnover.
Coordinate lateral partner and team onboarding with HR, Talent, Finance, and Marketing so systems, space, support, and billing are ready on day one.
Partner with the Director of HR on recruiting, onboarding, reviews, and discipline for California staff; refer harassment, safety, leave, and accommodation matters to HR promptly.
Run the California compliance calendar, including meal and rest periods, timekeeping, postings, harassment prevention training, leave notices, and exempt classification.
Lead the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), and emergency planning.
Build and manage the California budget with the CFO, review monthly variances, approve spending within delegated authority, and monitor time-entry and billing deadlines.
Maintain accurate Paycom data and payroll inputs each pay cycle.
Lead Aderant adoption among California staff after the December 1 go-live.
Within 60 days, assess each office and submit a written operating plan with priorities, owners, and dates to the Director of Operations.
Conduct weekly check-ins with each office managing partner and a monthly California operating review.
Travel regularly to Century City and Del Mar and occasionally to Texas.
Perform occasional evening or weekend work for moves, firm events, or urgent matters.