Director, Operations

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP is a multidisciplinary professional services firm seeking a highly qualified Senior Director of Operations. The role reports to the Chief Operating Officer and is a member of the Firm’s Business Professional Leadership Team, acting as a strategic leader with proven expertise in project management, administrative, real‑estate/facilities, and information services operations. Responsibilities Work with the COO to streamline and optimize processes to enhance efficiency and productivity. Collaborate with the COO, leadership, and business teams to develop and implement strategies, initiatives, and policies that align with the firm’s overall strategy. Lead the implementation of a firmwide project management team. Manage projects, initiatives, and areas across administrative and business operations. Monitor project timelines and deliverables to ensure deadlines are met. Identify bottlenecks and propose solutions to enhance workflow. Take ownership of special projects as needed and ensure project goals are met by coordinating resources and activities. Optimize technology, data, and AI adoption, including ROI reporting and business intelligence. Partner with the Information Services/Knowledge Management team to ensure the firm’s library operations run efficiently and that staff have access to comprehensive legal and research resources. Work closely with the Director of Real Estate and Facilities and Directors of Administration on leases, security, space planning, occupancy, new space, renovations, maintenance, and other firm needs to meet strategic and operational goals. Execute procurement needs in collaboration with the COO, Director of Real Estate and Facilities, and Business Professional Leaders. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or a related field is required; an MBA, master’s degree, or law degree is highly preferred. Minimum of 12+ years of relevant administrative, project, and knowledge‑management experience in a legal, consulting, or professional services environment, including people‑management experience. Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate needs, identify opportunities, and drive initiatives to completion. Proven leadership characteristics, including the ability to achieve results, manage multiple priorities and projects, handle complex relationships, and develop employees. Analytical skills with an aptitude for detail and logic, and extensive office‑management and administration experience. Proven ability to unite and lead diverse team members effectively, fostering a cohesive and productive environment. Ability to work discreetly with confidential information and situations. Fundamental proficiency in planning, allocating, and reconciling an operations budget. Knowledge of current facilities, office administration, reception, library, and legal support best practices and procedures. Preferred experience managing vendor and contractor relationships. Superior communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to gather information from a broad range of sources and influence others to make changes. Absolute trustworthiness, confidentiality, discretion, and superb judgment are musts. A passion for challenging the status quo. Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work across multiple departments and levels with a disdain for organizational politics, gamesmanship, and positioning. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment, and meet varying deadlines. Exceptional project‑management skills are required. Willingness and ability to travel to all Manatt office locations. The base annual pay range for this role is $250,000–$300,000. The base pay to be offered will vary based on skills, qualifications, experience, location, and internal equity. A full range of medical, financial, and other benefits will also be offered. EEO/AAEmployment/Veterans/DisabledManatt is an equal‑opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non‑discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex or gender (including gender identity, gender expression, status as a transgender or transsexual individual, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (over 40), genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, sexual orientation, political activity or affiliation, genetic or any other protected classes or characteristics protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization. IMPORTANT: If the government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E‑Verify to pre‑screen job applicants or to re‑verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I‑9. In order to determine whether Form I‑9 documentation is valid, this employer uses E‑Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that this employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at View phone number on click.appcast.io (TDD: View phone number on click.appcast.io). #J-18808-Ljbffr