Business Manager

Position Description

Job Title: Business Manager

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary: $100,000 to $150,000 Depending on qualifications.

Education: Bachelor's degree preferably in business, finance, or accounting

Experience: Five or more years of experience leading an organization or department and supervising others, with responsibilities in budgeting, hiring and retention of employees, and implementing policies and strategies.

Supervision Received: Managing Partner & Board of Directors

Supervision Given: Finance & Operations personnel and IT Managed Services; also supervises productivity and development of associate attorneys and paralegals

Job Summary: The Business Manager oversees all operations of the firm, ensuring it functions in a productive and efficient manner to meet the firm’s business and strategic objectives. The Business Manager is the key leader with responsibility for managing functional areas including administration, finance/accounting, human resources, technology, facilities management, board support and practice development, and marketing and communications. Within budgetary parameters, the Business Manager has the authority to maintain administrative staff to carry out these duties. This position will work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to develop the firm’s short- and long-term strategic plans.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Administration
•  Serve as the firm’s liaison with the bank, accountant, government agencies, insurance agents, employee benefits’ providers, professional associations, vendors, and similar groups.
•  Supervise Finance & Operations personnel who have responsibility for office management, including billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, bank reconciliations, payroll, benefits enrollment, conflict checks and file opening and closing, reception, incoming and outgoing mail and other deliveries, messenger service, office equipment, office supplies, reproduction, and housekeeping.
•  Oversee Managed IT services provider who has responsibility for firm’s information systems, digital security and storage, and database management.
•  Ensure maintenance and security of the buildings leased by the firm

2. Finance/Accounting
•  Supervise the firm’s cash flow, adherence to budget, tax planning and compliance.
•  Manage the firm’s financial reporting, including monitoring financial statements, providing regular updates to the Board on the firm’s financial performance.
•  Develop annual budget for firm, and report on budget-to-actual throughout the calendar year.
•  Produce annual forecasts and develop plans for office systems, building improvements, furnishings, and other capital outlays, as well as financial forecasts and analyses for prospective strategies such as lateral hires, acquisitions/mergers, and new office locations.
•  Manage cash flow, invest idle funds and manage credit card processing fees.

3. Human Resources
•  Maintain effective hiring and retention practices of employees, including recruitment, selection, placement, orientation, performance evaluation, salary and benefits administration, employee relations, motivation, morale, discipline, and termination.
•  Ensure efficient organizational infrastructure of non-attorney staff; work with Board to determine appropriate attorney composition.
•  Enforce employee policies, and make sure updates are adopted as needed.
•  Oversee administration of benefit programs, making recommendations for changes to modify coverage and to control costs, and analysis of new programs as needed.

4. Technology
•  Work closely with the Managed services provider to implement technology initiatives.
•  Ensure effectiveness of firm-wide technology applications, including support for users.
•  Develop and implement the firm’s capital expenditures and operating budgets for IT.

5. Board Support
•  Participate in meetings of the Board of Directors, having prepared the meeting agenda and supporting data and materials required for discussion and decision.
•  Serve as a member of and coordinate the activities of all firm committees.
•  Coordinate the firm’s strategic planning process and seek means for improving the firm’s financial performance.

6. Practice Management Support
•  Work with the Shareholders to develop systems for work assignment, workflow, workload control, and general coordination among the practice groups and with administration, to provide reliable and efficient service to clients and potential clients.
•  Work with practice groups and individual attorneys to help bolster their practice, and assist attorneys and paralegals with production or other performance issues and suggest solutions.
•  Develop business production plans with Practice Groups and individual attorneys to grow the practice.
•  Assist in the integration of new attorneys.

7. Communications and Marketing
•  Maintain good communication among members of firm about firm initiatives and strategies.
•  Along with the Board, keep Shareholders informed of firm business matters and management decisions.
•  Oversee appropriate marketing budget and support marketing activities including client events.