The Position
Michael Best is seeking a Legal Operations Practice Group Manager to work collaboratively with Firm Leadership. This position may be based in Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, Madison (WI), Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C., or Waukesha (WI).
The Practice Group Manager ("PGM") is the Business Manager of the Practice Group ensuring a positive working culture, the consistent delivery of strong client service, and profitable operations. In close collaboration with the Practice Group Chair ("PGC") and the Director of Legal Operations, this includes effective daily management of and utilization of talent and resources in the Practice Group as well as long term planning and strategy development ensuring success in delivering the Practice Group revenue and profitability objectives. Above all, the Practice Group Manager is expected to provide consistent, visible leadership of their Practice Group consistent with the firm's culture, strategic goals, policies, and financial objectives.

What You'll Be Doing
Communication

• Establish and maintain clear and consistent lines of communication with all Practice Group members regarding all aspects of the Group, Department and Firm.
• Maintain similar communication with other Practice Group Leaders, Department Leaders and Office Managing Partners ("OMP") (particularly OMPs for offices where the Group has lawyers reside).
• Together with the Practice Group Chair, facilitate practice group meetings.
• Collaborate with key firm stakeholders cross-functionally, including legal talent, business development, human resources and recruiting, on executing against practice group plans and strategic priorities.

Operations

• Manage Practice Group annual budget planning.
• Manage tracking and reporting of Practice Group financial metrics and objectives.
• Coordinate with Partners and Finance & Accounting to identify and resolve billing and collection issues.
• Monitor time summaries and workload reports and flag low utilization levels.
• Monitor individual timekeeper performance to identify need for reallocating work and proactively address performance issues.
• Bring structure, process, technology, and leadership to:
• Bill rates
• Matter budgeting
• Client/ matter profitability

People/Resource Management

• Provide input into professional development and performance improvement actions.
• Provide input and coordinate information for annual performance reviews for timekeepers.
• Analyze staffing pipeline and needs to assist with capacity planning and facilitate planning and growth strategies for assigned practice areas.
• Provide information required in recruiting processes related to requesting resources and offer authorizations/ROI analysis.
• Provide input to PGC and CFO on future lawyer and paralegal needs.
• Support a positive work environment that encourages teamwork and integration among Practice Group members and watch for changes.
• Be a role model for teamwork.

Integration

• Ensure that all timekeepers in the Practice Group are integrated across offices, with special attention to the smooth transition for laterals into the Practice Group.
• Integrate strategic initiatives with other Practice Groups and Firm departments.
• Conduct regular visits to all offices where a significant number of the Group's lawyers are resident.
• Manage integration of all infrastructure and administrative support functions to facilitate practice management.
• Participate in onboarding and integration of new hires and laterals.

Business Development

• Coordinate with Marketing & Business Development Managers on evaluating annual business plans of attorneys in the Practice Group and working with attorneys to ensure implementation of such plans.
• Coordinate inputs into and prioritizing all allocations out of Practice Group and individual timekeeper business development budgets.
• Monitor and support cross-selling and marketing activities of the Practice Group.
• Support implementation of Practice Group and Firm Strategic plan and initiatives.

Job Requirements:
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics:

• Leadership and interpersonal relationship skills are critical. The Practice Group Manager must work well with firm leadership, lawyers, and staff at all levels.
• Requires understanding of the financial performance metrics and levers critical to the successful operation of a client-centered professional services environment, preferably a partnership and/or law firm.
• Proficient with a variety of accounting, business planning, client management, project management, reporting and tracking systems and related software/SAAS packages.
• Able to evaluate financial performance date and recommend proactive changes to Practice Group priorities in order to successfully deliver revenue and profit targets.
• Able to consistently exercise good judgment by making sound and practical decisions, and act decisively under deadlines.
• Able work collaboratively within a team and adapt to changing business demands.
• Valid authorization to work in the U.S.

Minimum Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business, advanced degree (CPA or MBA) preferred
• 5-7 years of experience in operations and/or financial and team management, preferably in a service industry setting

The Company
This is an opportunity to work with the Best. We are Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP. We are a full-service law firm with more than 350 lawyers and technical professionals who work in collaborative, interdisciplinary practices to serve clients around the world.
We work with companies in all kinds of industries, as well as trade associations, nonprofits, educational institutions, governments, family trusts, and high-net-worth individuals. Since our firm’s founding in 1848, we’ve continuously evolved to meet our clients’ changing needs and expectations. One thing remains the same: For generations, clients have relied on Michael Best for exceptional legal service and business acumen.

The Location
We have offices in Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Madison, Manitowoc, Waukesha); Illinois (Chicago); Utah (Cottonwood Heights, Salt Lake City); Colorado (Denver, Broomfield); Texas (Austin); and North Carolina (Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington); and Washington D.C. Our contemporary offices spaces are ideal for concentration and collaboration supporting our culture of working together to make great things happen for our Clients. This position is located in our Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, Madison (WI), Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C., or Waukesha (WI) office.

Why You Should Apply
At Michael Best, we are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive Total Rewards package that provides a variety of resources designed to enhance its employees’ overall well-being, both at work and at home. Competitive base pay, outstanding benefits, opportunities for learning and growth, all programs designed to help you plan for the future, and perks that inspire your downtime are all part of our total compensation package.

Learning and Growth

• Challenging and Dynamic Role
• Career Development Planning
• Professional Growth Opportunities
• Performance Management and Coaching
• Specialized Training Program

Health & Wellness

• Medical, Dental and Vision Care
• Health Savings Accounts
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Program
• Employee and Family Assistance Program

Total Compensation

• Competitive Base Pay
• Annual Merit Review/Incentive Pay
• Outstanding Benefits
• Generous PTO Plus 9 Paid Holidays

Planning for the Future

• 401(k) with Company Match
• Short Term Disability Plan
• Long Term Disability Plan
• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Parental/Family Leave

Culture and Workplace

• Respected organization with Collaborative Culture
• Growing Firm with an Exciting Future
• Healthy Work-Life Balance
• Contemporary Work Environment
• Positive and Respectful Work Climate
• Performance Recognition

To be considered for this position, please submit an application via our online portal.

We are not accepting search firm submissions at this time.

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Michael Best Strategies LLC, and Michael Best Consulting LLC (collectively known as "Michael Best") are steadfastly committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination based upon age, race, religion, color, disability, marital status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact our Recruiting team at 414.225.4999 to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $130,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: One location

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