Director Of Operations - Chief Operating Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Alaska Law & Mediation | Wasilla, Alaska
Full-time | In-office

Are you the person who sees a big vision and immediately starts thinking, “Okay, here’s how we make that happen”?

Do you love building a strong team, solving problems, creating order, and making sure the important things actually get done? Are you equally comfortable coaching an employee, reviewing a budget, improving a process, and having an honest conversation with the owner about what the business needs?

If you’re nodding along, we may have the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

Alaska Law & Mediation is looking for an exceptional Director of Operations/Chief Operating Officer to serve as the owner’s trusted right hand and lead the business side of our growing law firm. You’ll work directly with the attorney and owner to turn ideas into action, build a team that thrives, and create the systems and accountability that allow our firm to serve more families.

This is an opportunity to make a real impact. You’ll have a seat at the table, the ability to shape how the firm operates, and the responsibility to lead projects from idea through completion.

Your Role

You will be the law firm owner's operational partner: the person who helps translate the firm’s vision into a clear plan, keeps the team moving in the same direction, and makes sure the day-to-day business runs smoothly.

You’ll bring leadership, follow-through, and sound judgment to the business. You’ll know when to make a decision, when to bring the law firm owner into the conversation, and how to keep projects moving without waiting to be asked.

You will also help protect the law firm owner’s time and energy so she can focus on serving clients, leading the firm, building relationships, and pursuing opportunities for growth.

Compensation:

$90,000 - $115,000 yearly

Responsibilities: What You’ll DoLead the team and build a culture of accountability

• Provide day-to-day leadership, direction, and support to the administrative and support team.

• Set clear expectations, establish priorities, and ensure team members understand their responsibilities.

• Lead regular team meetings, one-on-one conversations, and performance check-ins.

• Coach and develop employees, celebrate wins, address concerns promptly, and hold people accountable with respect and consistency.

• Coordinate recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, and offboarding in partnership with the owner.

• Oversee personnel administration, including payroll coordination, benefits, paid time off, and employee records.

• Build a positive, professional culture where people communicate openly, take ownership, and support one another.

Create systems that make the firm run

• Oversee daily operations and make sure work moves efficiently across the firm.

• Develop, document, and improve procedures, checklists, workflows, and training materials.

• Identify bottlenecks, recurring problems, and gaps in service—and take ownership of solving them.

• Create systems for cross-training and coverage so the firm is not dependent on any one person for a critical task.

• Manage office vendors, facilities, technology, and operational relationships.

• Help the team adopt technology and tools that improve efficiency, communication, and the client experience.

Turn the vision into action

• Work closely with the law firm owner to establish goals, priorities, timelines, and accountability for the firm.

• Lead projects from planning through implementation, keeping the right people informed and the work moving forward.

• Track key performance indicators and prepare useful reports that show how the firm is performing.

• Coordinate leadership meetings, team meetings, project updates, and follow up on decisions.

• Bring ideas and recommendations to the law firm owner, along with a practical plan for putting them into action.

• Help the firm grow its estate planning, mediation, and other services with the people and systems needed to support that growth.

Keep an eye on the numbers

• Partner with the owner and the firm’s financial professionals to develop budgets, monitor expenses, and support financial planning.

• Review operational and financial reports, identify trends, and recommend improvements.

• Monitor cash flow, billing, collections, and other business indicators in coordination with the appropriate team members and advisors.

• Help evaluate personnel, compensation, benefits, vendors, and other investments against the firm’s goals and resources.

• Support appropriate billing, trust accounting, and matter-management procedures in coordination with the responsible attorney and financial professionals.

Protect the client experience

• Help ensure clients receive timely communication, clear expectations, and consistent, compassionate service.

• Identify and address client service concerns, escalating legal or attorney-specific issues appropriately.

• Improve the client journey from the first phone call through the completion of services.

• Support the systems, scheduling, and team coordination that allow attorneys to serve clients effectively.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you’ll know you’re making a difference when:

• The team knows what is expected, who is responsible, and where to find answers.

• Important projects move forward and reach completion.

• Processes are documented, followed, and improved as the firm grows.

• Clients receive responsive, consistent service.

• The law firm owner has a clear picture of the firm’s operations, finances, priorities, and progress.

• Problems are addressed early, and the law firm owner has more time to focus on clients, leadership, and growth.

• Team members feel supported while taking responsibility for their work.

Qualifications: Who We’re Looking For

• You are a strong, caring leader who can build trust and hold people accountable. You listen, communicate directly, and are willing to have difficult conversations when they are needed.

• You are a builder and problem solver who can take a growing business with big ideas and create the structure to make those ideas work. You notice what needs attention, take initiative, and follow through.

• You are a trusted partner who can manage sensitive information, use good judgment, and speak honestly with the owner. You are comfortable making decisions within your authority and asking for direction when appropriate.

• You are organized and adaptable . You can keep multiple priorities moving while recognizing that a growing firm will sometimes need to adjust quickly.

• You care about both people and results . You want a workplace where team members are supported, clients are well cared for, and the business is healthy.

Experience & Skills

• Significant experience leading operations, teams, or business functions, preferably in a small or growing organization.

• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and holding employees accountable.

• Experience building or improving systems, processes, and workflows.

• Comfort working with budgets, financial reports, performance measures, and business goals.

• Strong project management, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.

• Confidence using business software and learning new technology.

• Law firm, legal operations, or professional services experience is a plus, but the right leadership and operational experience may come from another industry.

• Ability to work primarily in our Wasilla office and be present with the team.

About Company

Alaska Law & Mediation helps individuals and families navigate important life decisions through estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder planning, mediation, and uncontested divorce services.

Whether clients are planning for their family’s future, navigating a loss, or facing a difficult transition, we want them to feel informed, supported, and cared for.

We are a growing, community-minded firm with big goals and a lot of heart. We believe great work happens when people have clear expectations, the right tools, and a team they can count on.