Client Pricing Operations Manager - Chicago, United States - Blank Rome LLP

Description

Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 16 offices and nearly 750 attorneys who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world.

Our professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities.

Since our inception in 1946, Blank Rome's culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all of our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Our commitment to our core values and dedication to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment, allows the firm to attract and retain the brightest in the industry.

The Client Pricing Operations Manager serves as the firm's expert regarding fee and rate arrangements and is responsible for leading the implementation, updating, and maintenance of rates and fee arrangements in the financial system to ensure compliance with client fee arrangements and that bills are issued promptly and accurately.

The Client Pricing Operations Manager regularly collaborates with attorneys, other members of the Innovation and Value Department and cross functional departments to support pricing operations.

The Client Pricing Operations Manager is a solutions-oriented team member who enjoys cross-functional collaboration and enjoys designing processes to support team operations.

• Serve as the firm's expert regarding client fee and rate arrangements.
• Analyze nonstandard pricing requests, make recommendations for financial improvement where necessary, and execute upon the arrangement approval process.
• Supervise the daily work of the Client Fee Arrangement Coordinator(s) and provide guidance on prioritizing, problemsolving, and completing tasks as assigned.
• Manage and update as necessary the implementation and maintenance of nonstandard hourly rates and fee arrangements (exception rates, group rates, volume discounts, and alternative fee arrangements) to ensure accurate setup.
• Design and update standard operating procedures to guide the work of the Client Fee Arrangement Coordinator(s).
• Assist with recommending pricing terms and invoicing instructions to ensure compliance with applicable guidelines, oversee implantation of nonstandard rate and fee arrangements and tracking of pricing arrangements.
• Collaborate with the Value and Information Technology teams in the design of a new Fee Arrangement Review process and implementation tool to facilitate streamlined rate and fee arrangement management.
• Recommend standard billing rates for new timekeepers based on practice, geography, and competitive data.
• Participate in the Annual Firmwide Fee Arrangement Review Campaign.
• Review and analyze client Outside Counsel Guidelines by accepting or rejecting terms and escalating issues.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
• Work additional hours as needed to fulfill job requirements.

The above essential functions represent the general nature and level of responsibilities for this position and is not intended to be an all-inclusive list.

• 7+ years of experience, preferably in a law firm, in areas related to billing, pricing, and rate management.
• Strong technical skills, including advanced Excel skills (including use of vertical and horizontal lookups, macros, pivot tables, and modeling). High proficiency in Word and PowerPoint required.
• Proficient in working with pivot tables and data cubes and an understanding of relational databases.
• Experience using data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau or Power Bi) desired.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to develop positive working relationships (inperson and virtually).
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a customer service focus.
• Ability to protect and maintain confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with effective organizational skills.
• Demonstrated energetic and enthusiastic team player.

• Promote positive work habits, including effective and timely communication, teamwork, and demonstrating respect for colleagues.
• Contribute to providing the highest quality of service to internal and external clients.
• Take appropriate initiative and ownership of job responsibilities while ensuring the assignments/job duties are performed successfully and on time.
• Understand and abide by firm policies and embrace firm values.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and work regularly scheduled hours.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time, type, and handle light lifting (fi