Reporting directly to the Managing Partner of this specialist law firm, the Chief Operating Officer’s (COO) primary responsibilities are to lead and develop the Central Management Team (CMT) in the delivery of high quality, value for money services to enable the delivery of the annual operational business plans, targets and budgets of the firm as set by the Board.
As the most senior member of the professional management team, the COO will advise and make recommendations to the Managing Partner on key operational decisions and then, in partnership with the Managing Partner, lead and implement such decisions. The COO will be a member of the Board, acting as a primary point of engagement between the Board and CMT operations as well as working alongside fellow Department Leaders of fee earning departments.
Experience Required:
- A track record of success in leadership and management within a legal or comparable professional services environment
- A highly developed understanding of what it takes to succeed in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Combining the delivery of commercial and social objectives
- A track record in developing organisational performance through the development of people
- An understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing firms in the legal services market
Skills & Competencies:
- Demonstrable financial and business acumen together with the ability to devise, develop and maintain business models that work
- Effective leadership skills, capable of inspiring confidence and action in teams and individuals at all levels, communicating strategic priorities in a way that makes them actionable by others
- The drive to set and deliver against challenging plans, galvanising the contribution of others in order to get things done
- Skilled strategic and analytical thinker with relevant degree
- Proven self-starter, able to create momentum and to sustain it in a self-managed way
- Strong communicator, verbally and in writing, comfortable operating in ambiguous circumstances to create clarity, consensus and action
- Exceptional relationship development skills, demonstrating emotional intelligence and self-awareness to get the best out of themselves and others
Equal Opportunities
As a responsible business, it is important that we represent the diversity of our people, our clients and our communities. We believe that the firms that thrive are those with the most diverse team; that's why we work so hard to source the best talent from the broadest pool possible. As an equal opportunities employer we strive to accommodate anyone who may have specific needs. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the selection process, please talk to a member of the recruitment team so that any required adjustments can be made in advance.