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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP · 3 days ago

Public Law & Policy Practice Manager

Washington, DC

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level

$130K/yr - $180K/yr

5+ years exp

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. They are seeking a Public Law & Policy Practice Manager to oversee the operational efficiency of the Public Law & Policy practice, manage talent development, and ensure financial performance within the practice group.

Hiring Manager

Raechel Reynolds

Responsibilities

Supervise a team of Policy Specialists and Fellows to ensure a high volume of work is distributed evenly and based on capabilities and availability

Maintain a working knowledge of team utilization, workload, developmental needs and professional development goals

Conduct ongoing financial analysis of overtime spending

Refine training program to address the team’s current needs and areas for growth

Incorporate feedback gained throughout the year into performance evaluations

Lead the year-round intern program including recruiting, onboarding and integration

Coordinate needs assessments for new hires, including attorneys, advisors and specialists

Work with Attorney Recruiting, Attorney Development and/or Human Resources in coordinating onboarding and offboarding efforts for non-partners to ensure proper integration and continued development

Assist Director with lateral partner integration

Closely monitor workloads, availability, and utilization and alert Director to areas of concern

Review monthly utilization reports and note any inconsistencies

Work with Director to manage attorney and advisor evaluation and compensation adjustment processes, including review of evaluation forms, preparation for partner discussions of evaluation messages, and ensuring consistency across the group

Leverage knowledge acquired as a result of the evaluation process to focus on emerging issues and establish solutions

Monitor and report on pipeline of partnership candidates

Support Director and Practice Leaders in internal review and presentation of candidates to firm management

Work with Talent Development and Human Resources departments on morale and retention issues

Closely manage the financial and administrative elements related to external consultants, including ongoing financial analyses of billable hours and client development activities

Oversee consultant contracting and invoicing, with support from Practice Specialist

Work with Finance, Client Value and Practice Leaders and Director to help develop revenue and expense budgets, review monthly operational expenditures and escalate issues and proposed solutions to Director

Provide operational metrics to inform strategic initiatives

Review financial reports provided by the Finance Department to assess Practice Group financial performance, identify key performance trends, prepare monthly reports, spot issues affecting Practice Group performance and make recommendations to improve the same

Support Director in mid-year and year-end collections processes

Work as liaison of Director and Practice Leaders with firm management and other professional departments to help identify, develop and drive firm initiatives

Integrate firm-wide goals into practice group initiatives

Work with Director, Practice Leaders and other relevant business service professionals to develop the group’s strategy and performance objectives, and lead, oversee, drive and ensure the timely execution of initiatives to support such strategy/objectives

Oversee maintenance of databases of practice metrics, organizational documents and knowledge management resources, with support from Practice Specialist

Maintain industry awareness by keeping abreast of current events and significant legislation

Serve as a collaborator to Director and Practice Leaders, to help minimize managerial and administrative duties

Proactively and independently identify and analyze problems, develop solutions and deliver results

Coordinate agendas and prepare presentation materials for internal recurring practice meetings and other ad hoc meetings

Make suggestions for content and speakers and coordinate same

Liaise with Business Development, Client Value, Recruiting and other administrative departments on updates

Follow up with Director, Practice Group Leaders and Partners on initiatives arising from meetings to ensure deliverables and goals are met

Develop and plan internal practice group events and team building activities, with support from Events Coordinator and Practice Specialist

Work with New Business Intake and the General Counsel’s office to assist as needed with issues related to opening new matters and conflicts clearance as well as with partner arrivals and transitions

Assist Director with the drafting of internal communications

Work with Business Development on proposals and client engagement projects as needed; help ensure alignment with Practice Group’s strategy

Coordinate hiring, onboarding, managing and offboarding of other timekeepers and other designated Practice Management team members

Establish strong rapport and working relationships with other business services professionals, as well as strong relationships with Attorneys and Advisors within the practice

Support Director and Chief Practice Officer in team meetings, projects and initiatives, as needed

Special projects and special project management as assigned by Director and Practice Leaders

Foster and encourage a culture of superior client service, responsiveness, innovation and collegiality

Anticipate needs of practice leadership

Qualification

People managementFinancial analysisProject managementLaw firm experienceBusiness developmentAnalytical skillsService orientationProfessional growthMS Office proficiencyCommunication skillsInterpersonal skillsOrganizational skillsAttention to detailConfidentiality

Required

Bachelor's degree required; MBA is preferred

A minimum of 5 years of related experience, which must include law firm experience. Experience in administrative management roles at a lobbying firm or Capitol Hill is ideal but not required

A minimum of 2 years of people management experience, including experience with recruiting, hiring, and integrating team members. Supervision of an intern program is a plus

Superior analytical skills, with excellent business acumen

Superior project management experience, including the ability to quickly and proactively identify and analyze problems, develop innovative solutions and deliver results; experience leveraging AI resources is a plus

Superior written and oral communication skills

Excellent interpersonal skills and sensitivity to the complexities of a partnership and multi-office global practice group

Deep knowledge and experience with accounting and budgeting principles and ability to analyze financial data, draw accurate conclusions and make appropriate recommendations for future courses of action

Demonstrated ability to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing, on a prepared and extemporaneous basis with all levels of attorneys and staff. Ability to manage partner relationships and meetings

Advanced working knowledge of MS Office applications including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, and ability to work in various software applications as needed

Ability to prioritize, manage heavy workload and adjust to changing priorities, work independently and as a member of a team, manage multiple projects with specific deadlines, and complete tasks under time pressure as necessary

Strong service orientation, work ethic, organizational skills and attention to detail

Ability to use initiative and judgment to accomplish results

Ability to use critique of work to improve performance

Demonstrated poise and professionalism when interacting with peers, attorneys, office, firm and practice management, and outside business contacts

Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of all information and adhering to the Firm's Core Values

Commitment to professional growth and development