Senior Director of Attorney Engagement & Optimization

About the position

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Director of Engagement & Optimization which will be part of the Practice Management team, reporting to the Firm's Chief Financial Officer. The position is responsible for collaborating with Business Unit and Group Leaders as well as non-partner attorneys, consulting professionals and paralegals on facilitating communication, training/professional development, work assignment management and will also play a pivotal role in the Firm's Summer Associate program. This position can be based out of our Los Angeles, New York or Washington D.C. offices.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Firm Management on developing and implementing non-partner attorney, consultant and paralegal communications.
• Liaise and partner with Business Professionals to develop and support non-partner associate, consultant and paralegal engagement programs and initiatives.
• Evaluate pipeline of non-partner, consultant and paralegal associate work opportunities and workload projections across all Business Units and support and develop a work assignment process to ensure effective utilization of resources; develop processes and procedures, as needed.
• Partner with Business Unit Leaders to ensure comprehensive understanding of the experience and capabilities across all relevant areas of practice of each non-partner attorney, consultant and paralegal to enhance client assignments and professional development, while ensuring effective utilization of resources.
• Partner with Business Unit Leaders to identify professional development and training needs for all non-partner attorneys, consultants and paralegals and ensure work assignments in line with development and needs.
• Interface with the Professional Development teams who will coordinate and collaborate with non-partner attorneys, consultants and paralegals as well as Business Unit Leaders to develop, facilitate and deliver appropriate training.
• Partner with Practice Management on workflow and utilization of non-partner attorneys, consultants and paralegals and collaborate with the Professional Development team on year-end review, compensation and advancement processes.
• Serve as Business Professional representative on Associate Leadership Committee.
• Lead the approval process for the hiring of, or replacement for, non-partner attorneys, consultants and paralegals to assess need, making recommendations to senior leaders on whether to proceed based on effective utilization of resources, anticipated workflow and other criteria.
• Take an active role in the Summer Associate Program, including but not limited to, being the point person for the Summer Associates, Summer Chairs, Work Allocation Coordinators and Mentors; strategically plan the Summer Associate target numbers and interview all potential Summer Associates.
• Manage and provide hands-on leadership for the Engagement & Optimization team by providing work direction with clear performance expectations, developing goals and accountability measures, providing mentorship and fostering career growth.
• Assist with additional projects as needed.

Requirements

• JD degree preferred; Bachelor's degree in Business, Organizational Development, or related field required.
• A minimum of ten years' experience in a client-centered professional services environment, preferably a law firm.
• Strong business acumen, analytical and financial skills, professional development experience, and the ability to develop and implement operational processes and plans.
• Understanding of the levers critical to the successful operation of a client-centered professional services environment, preferably a law firm.
• Fluency with Excel, MS Word and PowerPoint.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to gather information from a broad range of sources and to influence others to make changes.
• Strongly collaborative and a proactive communicator across functions and levels.
• Executive presence and polish, with the ability to build effective relationships with attorneys, consultants and paralegals and influence people at all levels.
• Self-motivated with proven ability to anticipate problems and move things forward with limited direction.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
• Understand client service within a professional services organization, and is driven to exceed expectations.
• Demonstrated management and leadership experience.
• Ability to respond to multiple priorities and meet varying deadlines.

Benefits

• A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position.