Law Firm Administrator - Chief Operating Officer
POLARIS ESTATE PLANNING AND ELDER LAW SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED LAW FIRM ADMINISTRATOR
We are looking for a Law Firm Administrator (also called a “Legal COO”/Chief Operating Officer) to work directly with the Law Firm Owners to oversee everything in the law firm, except the practice of law. This includes not only strategic planning, project management, and critical administrative and financial oversight, but also a key leadership role in shaping and sustaining firm culture.
We need a Law Firm Administrator who is a PRO at workflow and project management, who deeply understands employee engagement, who is metrics-driven and KPI-obsessed, and who will be invested in making important contributions to the success of the Firm.
About the position
Polaris Estate Planning and Elder Law is an established law firm with offices in Creve Coeur and St. Charles, Missouri. We need a full-blown bona fide professional Law Firm Administrator who has experience running an office and building a successful business. This is a position akin to an Executive Director, Director of Operations, Legal COO or Controller.
We are NOT looking for an Office Manager or an Administrative Assistant. Please, do NOT apply if your only prior experience is as an Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, or Office Manager.
The position encompasses a wide range of activities with involvement in all phases of administration, personnel, finances, facilities, and business systems. We need someone with the experience and maturity to work closely with the Owners and key staff on strategy, policy, problem-solving, and decision-making. This position will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the day-to-day operations of the Firm, and for directing the implementation of Firm policies.
We are building a firm where systems run the business, and people run the systems. This position is responsible for improving both our people and our systems.
You must be able to show evidence of your prior success with:
· Playing a role in management of teams of 15+ people and budgets of $10,000,000 or more
· Systems management and process refinement to ensure matters are handed appropriately so that client needs are met, legal & ethical requirements are met, and clients receive excellent service
· Employee hiring, engagement and leadership, supervision, and termination
· Measuring what matters and using common financial reports to make business decisions (budget variance, P&L, cashflow forecast)
· Managing vendors such as bookkeepers, accountants, marketing, and technology services
We care about skills and experience. We care just as much about your behaviors, habits, and attitudes…the right person for this role must:
· Lead change - drive it and thrive in it
· Talk more about the solution than the problem
· Equally embrace both aspects of the “work/life balance”
· Never hesitate to praise when deserved and correct when needed
· Have thick skin and high empathy
· Have keen conflict resolution skills (not conflict avoidance skills)
Ideal applicants will have the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities recommended by the Association of Legal Administrators. Prior legal experience is required. Knowledge of our areas of practice will be helpful. In all cases, you need to commit to getting yourself up to speed quickly because you will be expected to make sure cases and clients are getting the attention they need, and that the staff is following the policies and rules set out.
Our Firm represents clients in Missouri and Illinois. We have been very successful, and we have grown rapidly without the guidance of a professional administrator. We are proud of the firm we’ve built; we’ve done a lot of good and helped a lot of people, and we’ve got a lot of stuff right! But there is a lot of room for improvement and expertise.
This is the first time we will be bringing in someone from the outside to help us manage and grow our firm. The right person for this position is someone we can develop trust in and who will trust in us. The right person for this position will be able to “manage up” to help us help you get your job done.
Our ideal candidate is not just comfortable with growth and change but thrives in an environment where people are constantly looking to improve the business and themselves. We are fast-growing, and as a result we have a growth-focused environment.
This is an executive-level position with an executive compensation plan that includes a salary and incentives driven by performance towards KPIs.
Salary is dependent upon experience and includes an incentive program commensurate with performance. We will define specific KPIs for expected law firm growth, profitability, and culture.
All applicants will go through a multi-phase interview process, starting with an initial conversation, a written interview, and at least one panel interview.
How to Apply
If this position speaks to you, and if your skillset matches what we are looking for, send your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications to polarislawjobs@gmail.com.
Compensation
$110,000 plus performance-based bonus opportunities
