Chief Operating Officer

Location: Richmond, Virginia, with travel to firm offices as needed

Reports To: Board of Directors and President

Salary Range: $275,000 to $325,000 with annual bonus

Position Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as the firm's highest-ranking administrative executive and is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of all non-legal business operations. Reporting directly to the President and Board of Directors, the COO provides strategic direction and oversight for the firm's administrative functions and serves as the primary leader of the firm's administrative leadership team.

The COO directly supervises the firm's Directors and other senior administrative leaders, including those responsible for Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing and Business Development, Recruiting, Facilities, and Operations. Through these leaders and their respective teams, the COO ensures the effective execution of the firm's strategic objectives, operational excellence, financial performance, talent management, technology initiatives, and business growth efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Firm Growth

• Partner with the Board of Directors to develop and execute the firm's strategic plan.
• Translate firm goals into actionable initiatives and measurable outcomes.
• Evaluate opportunities for geographic expansion, new service lines, strategic alliances, and law firm combinations.
• Lead due diligence, financial analysis, and integration planning for mergers, acquisitions, and lateral group opportunities.
• Support succession planning and long-term organizational development initiatives.

Financial and Business Performance

• Oversee the firm's financial operations in partnership with the Director of Finance.
• Monitor firm profitability, productivity, realization, collections, and key performance metrics.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Develop financial models and business cases supporting growth investments and strategic initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability.

Administrative Leadership and Organizational Oversight

• Serve as the firm's senior administrative leader with ultimate accountability for all business and administrative operations.
• Provide leadership, direction, and accountability for the administrative departments and teams reporting through those Directors.
• Establish performance expectations, strategic priorities, and operational objectives for administrative functions across the firm.
• Ensure alignment and collaboration among administrative departments in support of firm-wide goals.
• Serve as the principal link between the Board of Directors, President, Shareholders, and the firm's administrative leadership team.
• Lead the administrative leadership team in developing and implementing firm policies, operational standards, and strategic initiatives.
• Directly manage and develop the firm's Directors and senior administrative leaders.

Talent, Culture, and Organizational Effectiveness

• Partner with Human Resources and firm leadership on workforce planning, talent strategy, and employee engagement.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, integration, and retention initiatives for attorneys and business professionals.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with the firm's values.
• Assist leaders in managing organizational change and implementing strategic initiatives.

Technology and Innovation

• Partner with the Director of Information Technology to ensure technology investments support firm objectives.
• Champion operational innovation, process improvement, and responsible adoption of emerging technologies.
• Evaluate opportunities to leverage AI, automation, and data analytics to enhance efficiency and client service.

Marketing, Business Development, and Client Experience

• Collaborate with the Director of Business Development and Strategic Growth and marketing leadership to support client growth initiatives.
• Monitor market trends, competitive intelligence, and client feedback to inform firm strategy.
• Support key client programs, cross-selling initiatives, and attorney business development efforts.
• Ensure operational alignment with the firm's client service standards.

Governance and Leadership

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Board of Directors and President.
• Participate in Board, shareholder, and retreat planning and facilitation.
• Prepare executive reports, dashboards, and recommendations for firm leadership.
• Manage vendor relationships and negotiate major service agreements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Management, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a law firm, professional services firm, or similarly complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading finance, operations, human resources, and administrative functions.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and business performance analysis.
• Proven ability to execute strategic initiatives and organizational change.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, CPA, JD, or other relevant advanced degree.
• Experience with law firm economics, attorney compensation structures, and legal industry operations.
• Experience evaluating and integrating mergers, acquisitions, or lateral teams.
• Familiarity with legal technology platforms, data analytics, and workflow automation.

Direct Reports: Directors of Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, Business Development and Strategic Growth, and other administrative leaders as assigned.