Senior Practice Manager - Washington, United States - Davis Wright Tremaine

Description

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is looking for a

Senior Practice Manager

to join our team in either Washington D.C. or Portland. We offer a hybrid work engagement with two days of remote work, and three days in office.

The Senior Practice Manager works with the Practice Group Chair (PGC) and assigned practice leaders to support the profitable, effective operation of the practice group(s).

This position will help the PGC develop and implement practice group objectives, while ensuring the efficient use of lawyer time on such activities.

These objectives include, but are not limited to, business development and client service, financial management, professional development, and recruiting, as well as generally acting as the liaison between staff departments and the leaders of assigned practice groups.

The Senior Practice Manager is also responsible for managing the execution of at least one of the following: strategic goals (both firmwide and practice group-specific): internal practice management team projects and process improvements: and/or other high-impact projects.

At Davis Wright Tremaine, you will find challenging assignments, opportunities for professional growth and community involvement, and a culture of inclusion.

DWT fosters inclusiveness and authenticity. Regardless of position, everyone here has a voice and the support is unparalleled.

On a typical day you will:

PGC Support

Act as a trusted advisor to the assigned practice group chair in shaping overall practice group and, where relevant, sub-group strategies
Support the PGC in other functions identified by the PGC so as to enable the PGC to focus on those things most appropriate and worthy of the PGC's time (including the PGC's legal practice), while keeping the PGC's overall time investment at a reasonable level
Serve as primary liaison between practice group chairs/other practice leaders, Practice Managers, and staff departments to execute on practice group operating needs while reducing the amount of administrative time spent by practice leaders
Practice Group Operations

Business Development and Client Service

Together with the Business Development Manager for the practice group , advise on where to focus business development efforts, including coordinating cross-practice marketing opportunities, performing research on industry trends, prospective clients and competitors' marketing activities
Provide strategic guidance to business development manager for cross-practice requests for proposals involving significant practice group participation, complex pricing, and multiple relationship partners
Partners with key client teams that are led by PGC or other key attorneys in assigned practice group (s), as well as the Business Development Manager, to actively drive business development and client development
Support client operations such as billing, matter management, and internal communications, and suggest improvements to the same
In partnership with the Business Development Manager and the Marketing Communications group, develop, refine and promote the assigned practice group's brands through traditional marketing activities as well as innovative new methods
Collaborate with Business Development Manager, other practice managers and business development professionals to share best practices and cross-marketing and business development opportunities
Supervise and take responsibility for the work product of practice management specialist, doing the above-mentioned business development, marketing, and client service activities
Financial Management

Review and analyze financial data relating to the practice group.
Work with the PGC, financial partners, and Accounting Department to customize the data presented to the practice group and to provide context, explanation and action items to the PGC
Work with the PGCs and financial partners to set billing rates annually
Work with the PGCs to develop and monitor practice group budgets.
Exercise judgment in handling unanticipated budget requests in order to reduce administrative time spent by PGC.Act as primary approver on budget-related requests for all attorneys in practice group
Professional Development

Partner with Professional Development to develop PG-specific training programs
Liaise with Professional Development to manage the associate review and evaluation process so as to focus the time of PGCs and other partners on mentoring and coaching as opposed to administrative activities
Identify training needs and coordinate with colleagues to develop cross-practice or firm-wide training programs where appropriate.
Recruiting

Liaise with the Recruiting Department to manage the lateral recruiting process as it relates to the Practice Group so as to minimize the administrative burden on PGCs and other partners
Lead efforts to logistically and culturally integrate lateral partner hires to the practice group within the firm
Other

Assist PGC and practice group leadership to drive content and agendas for practice group meetings, including monthly, quarterly, and annual meetings as assigned
Perform other duties as assigned
Support Cross-practice Client Operations and Service Levels

Support operational and client-service needs of high-profile clients, including identifying and implementing process improvements, assisting internal financial teams, and advising of potential business conflicts.

Assist with strategic business development initiatives and growth planning.

Partner with practice management leadership and other staff teams to establish client-specific reports, milestones, and metrics to track against service level and financial targets.

Actively monitor same across practice and industry groups to ensure forward progress against goals.
Support Strategic Initiatives

Support Directors of Practice Management and Senior Practice Management Director in developing and carrying out strategic goals and process and operational improvements impacting the practice management team.

Lead, in partnership with key decision makers, implementation of projects/initiatives supporting the firm strategic plan, such as leading cross-practice group coordination and firm-wide operational improvements.

Manage other projects as needed
Practice Management Department Operations and Professional Development

Operational Support

Support Directors of Practice Management and Senior Practice Management Director to develop and execute department meeting agenda and trainings for department
Foster and support inter- and intra-departmental communication and collaboration
Own operational projects and initiatives that support the long-term strategies and development of the PM department
Professional Development

Manage the development of specialists so we can create a team with similar capabilities and that are cross trained across multiple support areas, while also making sure each is primarily working on tasks that fit their strengths and skillsets
Collaborate with Directors of Practice Management and Senior Practice Management Director on trainings for department, with emphasis on specialist level trainings
Collaborate with managers to address specialist skill gaps
Work with specialists to develop their skills and opportunities; serve as advocate, when appropriate
Manage onboarding training for all PM new hires, including providing guidance on peer mentors

Join us if you have:
College degree required; Master's degree in Business Administration or similar field, or JD preferred
10 + years as a business professional in a professional services organization preferred; law firm experience or prior experience as a practicing attorney is a plus
Demonstrated ability to develop professional working relationships and create a consultative, advisory-type level of trust with attorneys
Demonstrated understanding of the business of law, including finance, sales and marketing, staffing models and industry trends
Ability to work in a professional and collegial manner with attorneys, paralegals and staff
Previous supervisory experience is required
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously is required
Strong writing skills and excellent grammar, spelling and proofreading skills are required
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain effective working relationships and communicate verbally and in writing in a professional, courteous manner with clients, firm members, and other business contacts are required
Demonstrated ability to provide direction and guidance in business plan development efforts - at the individual, practice group and office levels
Demonstrated ability to lead complex request for proposal responses is required
Experience negotiating sponsorship contracts is required
Demonstrated understanding of alternative fee arrangements in the service industry (understanding of law firm pricing models a plus) is required
Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office Products required, i.e., Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel; CRM technology a plus
Ability to pay close attention to detail and be highly organized and accurate is required
Ability to travel occasionally within the United States is required
Who We Are

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with 11 offices nationwide. We are relentlessly committed to client service and look for candidates who share that commitment.

At DWT, client service means having empathy for each client's and each lawyer's work and personal pressures, business objectives, and legal needs; anticipating their needs; and having the capabilities and commitment to deliver what matters most to them.

What's in it For You?

DWT offers competitive compensation in addition to ample benefits including but not limited to:

Choice of health and vision insurance plans
2 paid volunteer days for qualifying community service work
Dental plan
Fertility and adoption benefit
Paid sabbatical after 13 years of service
Tuition reimbursement
Commuter benefits
Retirement contribution

This job description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position.

It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP embraces diversity, equity and inclusion.

It brings out the best of what each individual has to offer and inspires us to build strong and lasting connections with each other, our clients, and our communities.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of the fabric of Davis Wright Tremaine-central to who we are and what we do.

Our vision is to foster a culture where all talented individuals-including those who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession-can have, and can see, a path to success.

In order to support this vision, we request that you voluntarily provide the following demographic data.

All self-reported demographic information is stored securely in a manner that is compliant with DWT's privacy and security policies and is only accessible by authorized members of the Talent Acquisition and HR Departments; it is not shared with any of the hiring decision-makers.

Davis Wright Tremaine provides reasonable accommodations for those who need them to complete the application or recruiting process and for employees who need reasonable accommodations to perform the essential functions of their positions due to a disability or for religious reasons.

If you need to request accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email

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