Senior Manager, Accounts Receivable

Senior Manager, Accounts Receivable

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, one of the world's leading global law firms with offices in strategic hubs of commerce, law, and government across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, is seeking to hire a Senior Manager, Accounts Receivable.

Reporting to the Senior Director, US Financial Operations, this position is responsible for the overall management of the Accounts Receivable Department overseeing collection process, procedures and standards. Determining distribution of work to provide appropriate support to the firm's attorneys and to achieve best results collecting from the firm's clients. Collaborates with Business Operations to manage firm inventory, identify, and work to resolve potential collections issues. Keeps the Senior Director, US Financial Operations and Chief Financial Officer informed on any major collection issues. Deals with specific Attorney or client issues and handle special projects as the Senior Director, US Financial Operations or CFO may request.

Morgan Lewis recognizes the value of supporting flexible work arrangements. This position is based in our Philadelphia office and follows a hybrid work model.

Responsibilities:

• Provides oversight and guidance for Accounts Receivable staff, particularly on significant and complex collections issues.
• Working with Senior Director, US Financial Operations, determine priorities for Accounts Receivable team. Responsible to assign personnel resources appropriately to account for those priorities and meet deadlines.
• Regularly reviews department processes to improve efficiencies, increase accuracy, and identify/fix potential issues.
• Collaborates with Firm Management, Partners, Business Operations department, firm's Office of General Counsel (OGC) and Practice Group Leaders on collection issues.
• With required Firm Management approval, negotiates significant settlements or payment plans with certain clients.
• Keeps OGC informed regarding collection issues that may result in potential lawsuits, seeking guidance and following OGC direction regarding collection efforts for those clients and for preparation of Notes.
• Participates regularly in scheduled practice group meetings and meetings with CFO.
• Oversees generation and distribution of monthly statement of accounts sent to clients.
• Provides financial metrics, guidance, and recommendations to the CFO regarding decisions related to writing off accounts receivable amounts. Where applicable, provides similar information for related unbilled balances for the same clients.
• Oversees Accounts Receivable team efforts for the Firm's mid-year and year-end countdown initiatives.
• Identifies information systems requirements for department and participates in review of potential new systems or system enhancements; ensures successful implementation of any approved system changes.
• Reviews and documents solicitations to the firm involving third party accounts receivable processors or virtual card payments and sale of proof of claims; advises CFO and OGC on same to facilitate decisions regarding acceptance of any such solicitations.
• Facilitates the development of staff by providing opportunities and support; provides timely feedback on work product; regularly coaches, evaluates, and recognizes staff performance and accomplishments.
• Adheres to Department budget; seeks opportunities to improve Department efficiency and reduce expenses by streamlining operations.
• Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.
• Leads by example; establishes clear expectations; sets direction and priorities; ensures that work levels are balanced among all staff; resolves internal staff issues in a timely manner; keeps staff informed of all appropriate information; builds effective team; delegates at appropriate level.
• Facilitates the development of staff by providing opportunities and support; provides timely feedback on work product; regularly coaches, evaluates, and recognizes staff performance and accomplishments.
• Establishes/adheres to Department budget; seeks opportunities to improve Department efficiency and reduce expenses by streamlining operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position is responsible for managing the work performed by the AR Manager, AR Supervisors, AR Senior Specialists and AR Specialists. He/she is also responsible for the overall coordination and evaluation of these teams. He/she carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the firm's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training and developing employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounts receivable experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or people leadership experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Strong technical proficiency in accounts receivable operations and related systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional customer service and relationship management skills.
• Proven leadership, supervisory, and people management abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to prepare business correspondence, proposals, and reports, present information effectively to employees and leadership, and respond to questions from employees, managers, clients, and vendors.
• Advanced mathematical skills, including calculating rates, ratios, and percentages, and interpreting graphs and charts.
• Ability to evaluate complex situations, analyze multiple variables, and develop practical solutions in environments with limited standardization.