Vela Wood · 1 month ago
Chief Operating Officer
Dallas, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Director/ExecutiveVela Wood is committed to building genuine client relationships and creating enriching careers for its people. The Chief Operating Officer will oversee all day-to-day operations, strengthen processes, and align departments to support the firm's growth while maintaining its culture.
ConsultingLegalProfessional Services
Responsibilities
Report to the CEO/Firm Managing Partner
Lead and own all day-to-day operational and administrative functions across the firm (HR, Marketing, Finance, People Ops, Technology Support, along with optimizing cross-departmental workflows)
Prepare, present, and lead monthly operational updates at partner meetings, with forward-looking plans and actionable next steps
Audit and refine key firm processes (onboarding, training, cross-department workflows, internal communications, etc.) for clarity and efficiency
Oversee documentation of firm functions — but balance documentation with practical systems and habits to ensure real adoption, not just paperwork
Partner with leadership and finance to forecast firm growth, resources (staffing, offices, budget), and operational capacity
Align operational strategy with business goals — ensuring we scale smartly without diluting culture or overburdening the team
Monitor operational KPIs and recommend adjustments to meet firm goals sustainably
Oversee internal mechanisms for measuring employee satisfaction, engagement, and operational effectiveness (e.g., quarterly pulse surveys, feedback loops)
Lead major operational projects (e.g., office buildouts, resource planning), ensuring minimal disruption and clear communication across the firm
Foster trust, transparency, and cohesion across departments
Identify and address cultural or performance hurdles through coaching or transition if necessary
Build and maintain strong 1:1 relationships with equity partners and department leads to understand needs, challenges, and aspirations
Serve as a connector between leadership and staff, ensuring clear communication and alignment across the firm
Qualification
Required
Significant experience leading cross-functional teams in a medium-to-large professional services environment (law firms, consultancies, agencies, etc.)
Strong emotional intelligence - able to lead culturally sensitive environments, manage interpersonal dynamics, and earn trust across levels
Operational backbone - able to design systems, refine processes, and ensure consistent execution
Strategic mindset - able to anticipate firm needs 2–3 quarters ahead; proactively design solutions rather than react to crises
Excellent communication - with staff, leadership, across departments, and in partner-level forums
Commitment to in-office 100% - building rapport with all team members in both offices (Dallas and Austin)
Leadership presence - able to make courageous decisions, own them, and explain them clearly; able to build respect and confidence from equity partners down through staff
Flexibility and pragmatism - understands that documentation alone isn't enough; values adaptive systems that work in practice
Above all else, you should be a really good person - someone who leads with integrity, humility, and respect
Benefits
Full authority over firm operations - decision rights, ownership, and autonomy to lead.
Opportunity to shape the future of VW, structurally and culturally.
A trusted support network and leadership team committed to giving you the runway to succeed.
A people-first culture that values trust, transparency, and collaboration over bureaucracy.
Company
Vela Wood
Vela Wood is a boutique corporate law firm with offices in Dallas and Austin that focuses on small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups.
Founded in 2009
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Chi Reece
Partner
Clark Smith
Partner
Recent News
2025-08-01
Company data provided by crunchbase