Van Ness Feldman, LLP, a mid-sized Washington, DC law, government advocacy, and public policy firm that specializes in energy, natural resources, environmental and transportation policy seeks a Chief Operating Officer.
SUMMARY
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) has responsibility for establishing an effective organizational structure to support the firm’s administrative functions. Areas include human resources, administrative services, marketing, business and professional development, recruiting and diversity, accounting and financial systems, information resources, and information technology. The COO manages the general business operations of the firm, implements the firm’s strategic plan, and manages periodic updates to the strategic plan to respond to market demands.
The COO provides leadership and direction to all office functions that support client services. The firm supports professionals located in offices in Washington DC, Seattle, northern California, and other locations.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Members
·
Keep members informed of firm business matters and management
decisions of interest to them.
·
Meet with individual members to find solutions to specific
administrative or support services challenges that cannot be
handled by the firm’s administrative directors and
managers.
·
Keep members informed of practice management and client service
activities through frequent discussions with practice group leaders
and other members and staff to ensure that appropriate levels of
support are being provided.
·
Support practice group coordinators in developing and implementing
systems for managing workflow, expense reimbursement processes, and
general coordination among the various groups and offices.
·
Keep the members informed of major operating decisions and advised
of any matters requiring involvement of the members.
·
Work closely with the firm’s Executive Committee in carrying
out their responsibilities and in identifying management priorities
and allocating resources. Provide analysis to support Executive
Committee functions. Participate in Executive Committee
meetings as requested.
Directors, Managers, and Administrative Staff
·
Supervise directors and managers of each department.
·
Meet regularly with directors and managers to communicate business
goals and objectives and to discuss the role of each individual in
reaching firm goals.
·
Ensure that directors are fulfilling their job responsibilities;
work with them to set goals; and provide ongoing evaluation,
feedback, and constructive criticism.
·
Ensure that firm employees at all levels are receiving proper
training for fulfilling their responsibilities and that they have a
clear understanding of their reporting lines. As necessary,
provide counseling and training on the need to work in a team
environment.
·
Ensure that administrative staff in the firm’s various
offices are properly supervised and receive ongoing communication
from administrative directors and managers responsible for their
supervision.
·
Ensure that staff in all administrative departments receive
appropriate cross-training.
·
Ensure that each administrative department is properly staffed.
Firmwide
·
Communicate the firm’s determination to maintain the highest
possible professional standards in performing legal and policy work
and to provide high quality service and responsiveness to clients
and each other at all times. This goal requires that all firm
employees promote a team environment.
·
Ensure that all employees are aware of the firm’s business
goals and objectives and how each employee plays a role in reaching
those goals. Provide ongoing communication regarding the
importance of quality service and responsiveness to clients and
working together to accomplish these goals; develop ways to reward
and recognize exceptional client service and teamwork.
·
Ensure that administrative directors and staff understand policies,
procedures and work processes, interpret them correctly, and apply
them consistently.
·
Develop firmwide communications processes to help align all firm
employees to common goals.
·
Provide technical, interpersonal and communications skills training
to all firm employees.
·
Participate in the integration of new lawyers and laterals coming
into the firm. Develop programs to facilitate such
integration.
Outside Relationships
·
Serve as the firm’s liaison, or supervise such liaison, with
the firm’s landlords, banks, government agencies, insurance
agents, representatives of companies providing employee benefits,
professional associations, vendors and similar groups.
Strategic Planning
·
Review existing Strategic Plan and develop implementation
strategies, provide recommendations based on current market
conditions.
·
Work with Executive Committee and Practice Group Coordinators to
implement and update the Strategic Plan, including:
o Seek creative means for adding value to
the firm and increasing the firm’s efficiency and
profitability.
o Work with the executive committee to
identify and analyze significant strategic issues and build
consensus with the members in addressing issues.
o Meet with members regularly to discuss
strategic planning issues.
o Analyze, on a continuous basis the
firm’s administrative infrastructure and enhance efficiency
through improved workflow processes and technology.
o Supervise planning and evaluation of
proposed new office locations.
QUALIFICATIONS
The COO must be a well-rounded business executive with substantial management experience in a law firm or other professional services industry, and have knowledge normally acquired through completion of an MBA or other appropriate business degree, or equivalent experience. The COO must possess the intellect, sophistication, leadership and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with all in the firm, ranging from senior members to administrative personnel. The COO must have superior knowledge of and experience with workflow systems, financial management skills and excellent written and verbal communications skills. A specific understanding of the use and proper management of information technology is required for success in this position.
The COO must be capable of providing leadership to identify
critical issues affecting the organization, develop plans to
accomplish objectives, and coordinate implementation. The
candidate must be a team player capable of leading by example
(visibility will be key) and of motivating others to achieve
excellence in their performance.
Benefits include health, dental, 401(k), long term disability, life insurance and profit-sharing plan. EOE. Please provide your resume by https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=161e41a7-70fa-4952-9272-55b502b625f9&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=439279&source=CC2&lang=en_US