Department Practice Director

Profile

Department Practice Director

The candidate will work closely with the Talent & Inclusion team, and the Business Development Director, as well as other Department business development professionals, to provide well-coordinated and strategically-aligned support. Work with the Department Chair, members of the Executive and Finance Committees, and the finance team to develop financial reports for the Department. Collaborate with the finance team to make refinements and streamline monthly reporting. Review monthly financial reports with the Department Chair, Practice Group Leaders, and Finance Partners and identify trends/developments that require attention and action. Monitor financial and other performance metrics of the practice groups within the Department, including with regard to revenue, utilization, realization, and productivity, and against annual goals. Advise on steps to improve and achieve identified financial objectives. Coordinate quarterly practice group leader discussions with the Department Chair to discuss financial performance, among other topics. Work with the finance team to prepare for and hold annual rate setting conversations with the Department Chair, Practice Group Leaders and Finance Partners. Collaborate with the pricing and legal project management teams to monitor pricing and alternative fee arrangements for matters within the Department with the objective of improving realization and driving profitability. Meet on a regular cadence with the practice group Finance Partners, together with a member of the finance team, to identify and address performance issues and develop/share best practices. Escalate issues of concern to the Department Chair. As part of the annual business planning process, work with the Department Chair and the Business Development Director to establish goals and objectives for the Department for the coming year. Work with the Business Development Director to drive and support the annual business planning and budgeting process, including facilitating review with the Department Chair of all of the proposed practice group plans and budgets. Liaise with the recruiting team (Strategic Growth Committee, partner recruiting team and associate/counsel recruiting team) to execute on approved growth initiatives for the Department. Collaborate with the Business Development Director supporting the Department and the Senior Director, Business Development, to support integration of lateral partners. Work with the Talent & Inclusion team and Talent & Inclusion Partners to ensure that a robust plan exists to integrate lateral associates and counsel and first year associates into their respective practice groups within the Department. Support the Department Chair with regard to the annual partner/counsel promotion process and the solicitation and consideration of recommendations made by the Practice Group Leaders in the Department. Work with the Talent & Inclusion team and the Talent & Inclusion Partner for each practice group to coordinate the annual Group Consensus Messaging process for the associates and counsel in the Department. Support the Department Chairs to identify appropriate lawyers to staff the most significant client matters within the Department. This will include working with staffing partners and practice managers in other Departments to ensure broad visibility of lawyers across the firm who meet the requirements of the client and matter. Liaise with the Talent & Inclusion Partners and the Talent & Inclusion team to ensure that appropriate training is developed and delivered to lawyers in the Department. Monitor and support the morale and engagement of attorneys in the Department, developing programs and ensuring access to information, resources, and Department leadership. Encourage mentoring and sponsorship relationships for all members of the Department. Work with practice group Talent & Inclusion Partner(s) to development and implement professional development plans for diverse associates and counsel. Ensure diverse, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential parts of all department and practice group functions. Monitor attorney utilization and work assignments, business development opportunities, and promotions are equitably distributed with the Department and practice groups. Liaise with the Senior Director, Innovation and Client Value, and the IT team, on knowledge management, innovation and client value initiatives for the Department. Provide operational support to the Department Chair. Assist in coordinating and planning Department meetings. Collaborate with the Department’s Business Development Director on the development of agendas for department meetings, as well as to ensure that practice group meetings reflect Department goals and current initiatives. Collaborate and coordinate with the practice managers supporting other Departments. Bachelor’s Degree is required. J.D., MBA or other related advanced degree may substitute for required experience. Should have 10+ years of relevant experience with a record of achievement and increasing responsibility. Direct experience in a law firm or professional services environment is preferred.

Company info

Crowell & Moring LLP.
515 South Flower Street 40th Floor
Los Angeles
California
United States 90071-2258
Website : http://www.crowell.com