Director of Administration & Office Services (Newark)

Director of Administration & Office Services

Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW)

Location: Newark, New Jersey

Work Arrangement: In Office, Five Days Per Week

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $150,000 - $175,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications, plus competitive benefits and annual bonus opportunity.

About Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP

Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW) is a dynamic and growing law firm committed to delivering exceptional legal services and client experiences across the commercial real estate and construction industries. As a fast-growing, entrepreneurial firm, MSW is investing in the leadership, systems, and operating discipline required to support its next stage of growth.

We are creating a new Director of Administration & Office Services role to strengthen leadership capacity, build a scalable people function, professionalize administrative operations, and ensure attorneys and staff receive exceptional operational support. Given the visible, hands-on nature of this leadership role, the Director will work in the firm's Newark, NJ office five days per week.

Position Summary

The Director of Administration & Office Services is the firm's senior administrative leader responsible for building a high-performing people function, leading day-to-day administrative operations, and ensuring firm priorities are translated into consistent execution. Reporting to the Administrative Partner, this role serves as a true “player-coach,” providing strategic leadership while remaining closely engaged in the firm's daily operations.

Working closely with the Director of Finance and Director of Technology & Facilities, the Director will improve coordination across administrative functions, strengthen management disciplines, and help create the operational foundation that allows partners to focus on clients, growth, and firm leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative Leadership & Coordination

• Lead the firm's administrative operations and support functions.
• Translate leadership priorities into clear plans, accountability, and execution.
• Lead firmwide administrative initiatives and cross-functional projects.
• Build scalable administrative systems that support continued growth.

People Operations & Talent Management

• Lead recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, career development, and training.
• Coordinate attorney recruiting support, including the firm's on-campus interview (OCI) program.
• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and employment compliance.
• Foster an engaged, accountable, and high-performing workplace culture.

Office Administration & Service Delivery

• Oversee day-to-day office operations and administrative support services.
• Coordinate administrative resources to support attorneys and clients.
• Improve workflows, documentation, and service standards.
• Manage administrative vendors and operational resources.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Standardize administrative policies, procedures, and operating practices.
• Lead process improvement and organizational change initiatives.
• Establish performance measures and service standards.
• Promote knowledge management and continuous improvement.

Leadership Collaboration

• Partner closely with Finance, Technology & Facilities, and firm as well as practice leadership.
• Support strategic planning and implementation of firm priorities.
• Promote collaboration, communication, and accountability.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on people and operational matters.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of administrative, HR, or operations leadership experience within a law firm or partner-led professional services organization.
• Experience building or improving people operations and administrative processes.
• Demonstrated success leading administrative teams and cross-functional initiatives.

Preferred Experience

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or similar certification.
• Experience leading organizational change, process improvement, or operational transformation.

Leadership Capabilities

• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential matters.
• Ability to influence across all organizational levels.
• Hands-on leadership style with a bias toward execution and continuous improvement.

Measures of Success

Within the first 12 months, success will be measured by the Director's ability to:

• Build firmwide credibility.
• Establish a scalable people operations function.
• Standardize core administrative processes.
• Clarify administrative ownership and strengthen execution.
• Increase partner capacity by assuming day-to-day administrative leadership.

Why Join MSW?

This newly created leadership role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the future of the firm. You will work closely with firm as well as practice leadership and your fellow administrative leaders to build efficient operations, strengthen our culture, and support continued growth and excellence.

How to Express Interest

Interested candidates can apply through the LinkedIn portal or send a resume and brief note outlining their interest in the opportunity to:

Steven Spurr

View email address on apply.placed-app.com

All inquiries will be treated confidentially. To ensure a coordinated search process, candidates and referral sources are asked to direct all correspondence through Steven rather than contacting the firm directly.

Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.