Business Manager

The Business Manager will own and actively manage the day-to-day business and administrative operations of the firm, working closely with the firm's leadership to ensure the firm operates efficiently and with sound financial discipline. This is a hands-on role for a business-minded professional who digs into the financial and operational details of a law firm, identifies what needs attention and translates that information into practical, actionable recommendations for firm leadership. The Business Manager will have direct involvement across the firm's financial performance, billing and collections, client rates and fee arrangements, vendor and other business contracts, budgeting, and operational processes.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working with attorneys, clients, staff, vendors, and outside professionals and can confidently analyze financial information, get to the root of issues, ask the right questions, and bring solutions to firm leadership.

To succeed in this role, you will need a robust set of skills and qualifications.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Actively engage with the firm's financial reports and underlying data, reviewing, interpreting, and digging into details to provide firm leadership with meaningful business insights and recommendations.
• Identify trends, variances, financial risks, and opportunities across the firm and take the lead in developing responses or corrective action.
• Drive improvements in billing practices, collections and overall financial performance of client relationships working directly with the Director of Finance and attorneys to implement changes.
• Analyze and evaluate the business and financial implications of client rates, discounts, alternative fee arrangements, and other pricing decisions and present clear recommendations to the firm leadership and attorneys.
• Review business and vendor contracts from a financial and commercial perspective, independently identify pricing concerns, financial risks, renewal provisions, and other issues and present findings with proposed course of action for firm leadership's consideration.
• Lead budgeting, and actively assist with P&L preparation, forecasting, financial planning, and other business analyses as requested by firm leadership.

Business Operations

• Serve as a key business resource and sounding board for the Managing Partner, bringing substantive analysis and well-developed recommendations to the table.
• Develop and deliver analyses and recommendations that directly inform firm leadership's decision-making.
• Maintain a broad view of the firm's business operations and proactively identify opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability, and service.
• Evaluate administrative processes hands-on and implement improvements, engaging the relevant teams to execute changes effectively.
• Oversee relationships with key vendors and service providers from a business and operational perspective.
• Coordinate with attorneys, administrative personnel, outside professionals, and vendors to ensure business matters are handled effectively.
• Help firm leadership assess the business implications of potential investments, expenditures, client arrangements, and other initiatives.
• Take ownership of approved business initiatives and help ensure they are implemented effectively.
• Support the Executive Committee by coordinating meeting logistics, preparing materials, tracking action items, and ensuring follow-through on committee decisions.
• Handle miscellaneous administrative matters that arise in the ordinary course of firm operations, exercising sound judgment and discretion.
• Evaluate vendor performance and cost-effectiveness, recommending changes or alternatives where appropriate.
• Assist with office operations, technology, insurance, facilities, and other business functions as needed.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in a business manager, or a related role, preferably in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Strong financial analytical skills, including experience reviewing forecasts, expenses, invoices, and financial reports.
• Proven ability to work effectively across departments, manage competing priorities, and hold others accountable for deliverables.
• Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with attorneys, staff, vendors, and firm leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel skills.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and integrity.

Preferred

• Prior experience in an insurance defense or litigation-focused law firm.
• Experience with legal billing systems, financial software, or practice management platforms.
• Familiarity with vendor contract negotiation and management.
• Experience supporting C-suite or senior executive leadership.

Desired Professional Characteristics

• Demonstrates strong financial literacy, including the ability to review a P&L and understand the drivers of the firm's financial performance.
• Takes a hands-on approach to operations, is comfortable getting into the details, and follows through to make things happen.
• Proactively identifies problems and opportunities and addresses them before they become significant issues.
• Uses data and financial information to analyze issues, evaluate options, and develop practical recommendations.
• Builds strong relationships with attorneys and clients and communicates with confidence and diplomacy when addressing business and financial matters.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, with the ability to make complex business issues understandable and actionable.
• Exercises sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive firm, financial, personnel, and client information.
• Works effectively without formal decision-making authority by influencing, coordinating, and driving initiatives forward while recognizing that major decisions remain with firm leadership.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, expected in the range of $120,000 - $170,000.
• Performance-based annual bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k); paid time off; life insurance; twelve paid holidays; parental leave; military leave; mobile phone stipend.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This position is primarily performed in a professional office environment with daily in-office presence required to start; a hybrid arrangement will be considered after four months of employment. Occasional travel to the firm's branch offices or firm events.