Manager Finance (Legal)

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The financial management aspect of this this position manages, handles, and supervises the day-to-day tracking, monitoring, analysis, planning, and communication of Legal Department's financial position.  This involves managing, planning, and tracking projected versus actual spend and providing ongoing analysis on the impact of that spend on the department's short-term and annual budget.  This role is also responsible for preparing and planning the department's yearly budget, and managing the department's overall expenses to that budget.  This role interacts with and advises individual department members in NYBO and Corporate, and with each outside law firm and other provider, to educate and update regarding current and projected spend, and planning/strategy for expected costs such as professional services, case settlements, travel, capital, and other future spend.  This position also works closely with Finance to ensure accurate and updated information, variances, and explanations    are provided regarding the department's financial position.

Meanwhile, the corporate governance/control aspect of this position manages, handles, and supervises the department's Board of Directors preparation and meeting process, annual Proxy Statement and CA Corporate Disclosure Act preparation and filing process, Directors and Officers Questionnaire and Board self-evaluation and related preparation and tracking processes, while overseeing the department's general internal control and QC processes regarding the above and other corporate/governance matters. 

In performing the above two major categories of roles, this position will direct and coordinate with  administrative staff regarding financial tracking/reporting and invoice preparation/approvals, as well as Board of Directors-related and similar tasks.

He/she will also design, develop, manage and implement various financial-data-related projects for the Legal Department, including assessment and reporting of results, and will assist with related and other projects/tasks as directed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Financial Management\:  Manage, handle, and supervise the Legal Department's financial affairs, including coordination with Department members, outside law firms/providers, and Finance regarding current and anticipated spend and variances; manage, prepare, and oversee Legal's financial reporting and accruals; prepare, plan, and manage to Legal's yearly budget; educate and advise department members in planning and strategizing regarding upcoming expenses and needs (e.g., personnel, services, equipment, travel); supervise administrative staff to accomplish the above.

Board and Corporate Governance/Controls\:  Manage, handle, and oversee items such as (1) Board of Directors preparation and controls process; (2) preparation/ filing of annual Proxy Statement, CA Corporate Disclosure Statement, and similar filings; (3) Directors and Officers Questionnaire, Board self-evaluation, and similar Board-related projects; (4) the department's overall process controls and quality control on corporate matters; (5) direct and coordinate with  administrative staff to accomplish the above.

Design, develop, review, assess and enhance department process improvements such as improved use of technology (e.g., Serengeti, other tools) for improved internal analysis and reporting.

Lead and assist with other Department projects/tasks as directed.

COMPETENCIES:

• Analysis and Judgment


• Drive for Results


• Organizational Skills


• Process Improvement


• Communication


• Attention to Detail

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED:

Minimum

• 6-8 years of financial, budgeting, and accounting-related experience


• Strong financial/accounting and business knowledge


• Knowledge and familiarity regarding Board of Directors, annual Proxy, and similar corporate governance processes


• Strong analytical and organization skills, and exceptional  attention to detail


• Ability to oversee full projects and to direct, multi-task, prioritize, work independently and keep high level of focus


• Strong communication skills\:  ability to effectively direct administrative staff and to interact and communicate inside and outside of Department, and with outside providers/professionals


• High proficiency with MS Office Suite (specifically Excel, Word and Outlook) and other financial/tracking/reporting tools (including database technology)


• Ability to design, develop and recommend project and analysis relating to financial-data-related projects


• Effective project management and team skills\:  ability to coordinate tasks among different Department groups/members, other departments, and outside providers/professional

Preferred

• Retail Organizational knowledge


• Familiarity with legal or related vendor/billing issues


• Board of Directors and/or related corporate governance process experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ADA:

No unusual physical requirements. Requires no heavy lifting, and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.

Routine deadlines; usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; travel or other inconveniences have advance notice; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than immediate supervisor.

Job frequently requires sitting, handling objects with hands.

Job occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching, talking, hearing, and lifting up to 10 pounds.

Vision requirements\: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordinator, Finance