Director of Operations

Are you a strategic thinker who loves turning big-picture ideas into action plans? Can you lead a team to operational excellence while fostering accountability and growth? Are you ready to transform processes and drive success in a dynamic legal environment? Do you thrive on making impactful decisions that shape the future of an organization? Final question: When faced with a challenge, do you get excited or run away? AK Law Firm is a Texas-based personal injury law firm headquartered in Houston, with additional offices in Dallas and San Antonio. The firm represents individuals injured in car accidents, truck accidents, and other personal injury matters, including wrongful death claims. With over $100 million recovered for clients within the last five years, AK Law Firm is committed to delivering results while prioritizing transparency, communication, and compassionate client service. The firm emphasizes weekly client updates, 24/7 online access to case files, and bilingual legal representation to better serve clients throughout Texas. The firm has experienced steady year-over-year growth and maintains a professional, friendly, and hardworking team environment. As the organization continues to expand, AK Law Firm is focused on strengthening operational efficiency, departmental accountability, and consistent execution across its operations. The Director of Operations will serve as a visible, onsite operational leader at AK Law Firm's Houston headquarters, ensuring consistent execution of leadership priorities across the organization. This individual will work closely with executive leadership and department managers to monitor existing KPIs, strengthen accountability, finalize operating procedures, and translate strategic initiatives into practical execution. The role requires strong judgment, effective communication, and the ability to identify operational challenges while supporting the firm’s continued growth. What you’ll do: Daily Operations: Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure smooth functioning and alignment with strategic goals. Departmental Accountability: Build strong relationships with department managers to ensure adherence to established priorities and KPIs. KPI Monitoring: Track and analyze departmental KPIs, providing insights and recommendations for improvement. Process Improvement: Finalize, document, and implement SOPs to streamline operations and remove bottlenecks. Strategic Integration: Translate leadership's big-picture ideas into practical operational plans, assess how proposed initiatives interact with existing systems and departmental priorities, identify potential conflicts, and recommend adjustments to support effective execution. Leadership Communication: Act as a primary communication link between executive leadership and department managers, providing feedback and reinforcing expectations. Cross-Departmental Oversight: Coordinate operational performance across the firm, working with approximately five to six department managers to ensure priorities are executed and existing KPIs are consistently monitored. Departmental Boundaries: Monitor litigation-related operational KPIs while substantive legal decisions remain with the legal team. Collaborate with marketing on operational coordination without assuming direct management of that department. Financial Coordination: Work with existing leadership and accounting when financial information is needed for operational decisions, without taking primary responsibility for the firm’s financial management. Potential HR Oversight: As the position becomes established, responsibilities may expand to include oversight of recruitment coordination, onboarding, training, and selected HR functions, depending on future organizational decisions. What we’re looking for: Operational Experience: Minimum of five years in an operational leadership role. Educational Background: Bachelor's degree, with a master's degree in business or a related field preferred but not required. Relevant operational experience, transferable skills, and demonstrated leadership capability are important considerations. Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead, influence, and hold others accountable. KPI Literacy: Experience monitoring and driving performance based on key metrics. Communication: Strong communication skills with the ability to provide and receive feedback effectively. Industry Experience: Law firm experience is preferred but not mandatory. Exceptional candidates with transferable operational leadership experience from other industries will be considered. Leadership Presence: A visible, approachable leader who builds relationships with managers and staff, leads by example, and consistently reinforces accountability. Independent Judgment: Comfortable offering candid feedback, respectfully challenging leadership decisions, and receiving constructive feedback. Technology Adaptability: Comfortable working with Microsoft 365, learning operational systems, and collaborating on AI-enabled process improvements. Familiarity with Filevine and Lead Docket is advantageous. What Success Looks Like First 30 Days: Understand the firm's operations, existing departmental KPIs, and how performance is measured. First 60 Days: Identify operational gaps and opportunities for improvement, providing candid feedback and recommendations to leadership. First 90 Days: Become fully integrated into daily operations, making decisions with appropriate supervision and taking substantial responsibility for operational execution. Why you should work here: Growth Opportunity: Join a firm on an exciting growth trajectory, with opportunities to influence and drive expansion. Leadership Access: Work directly with firm leaders, offering a unique chance to implement strategies and see your impact firsthand. Innovative Culture: Be part of a team committed to continuous improvement and innovation, harnessing technology and AI to enhance operations. Professional Development: Benefit from a culture that values learning and offers pathways for career progression. Additional Perks and Work Arrangement Health Insurance: Health insurance benefits offered. Paid Time Off: PTO and paid holidays. Work Arrangement: Fully onsite at the firm's Houston headquarters, with standard working hours of approximately 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Relocation Consideration: Candidates willing to relocate to Houston may be considered. #J-18808-Ljbffr