Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Reports To: Managing Director

Salary:  $195,000 - $220,000

Status: Exempt

Location: Seattle 

About Us:

Williams Kastner is a premier multi-practice law firm in the Pacific Northwest with more than 65 attorneys in Washington and Oregon. We have been serving local, regional, and national clients since 1929. As a firm, we embrace diversity and inclusion through our people, our work, and our support for and participation in community programs and projects that foster equal opportunities for all individuals. 

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Chief Operating Officer to be located in our Seattle office. Responsible for providing strategic leadership for the firm by working with the Managing Director, Board of Directors, and the Management Team to implement firm-wide goals, strategies, plans, and policies. Observes confidentiality of all client and firm matters. Monitor current trends and best practices in legal and professional services management; assess innovative practices aligned with the Firm’s goals, and make recommendations accordingly.

Responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer:

This position generally involves recurring work situations with occasional variation from average to moderate complexity. The employee must perform all duties with minimal supervision. Overtime might occur during periods of high workload.

Responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to the following: 

• Establish and maintain credibility throughout the organization and with the Board as an effective developer of solutions to business challenges.
• Provide leadership and management to ensure that the mission and DNA of the firm are put into practice.
• Responsible for driving the firm to achieve and surpass profitability, cash flow and business goals and objectives.
• Spearhead the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes both in assessment of viability of existing and new practice areas as well as in mergers and acquisitions and acquiring of new legal talent.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director and Board of Directors to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes and personnel designed to accommodate the growth objectives of the firm.
• Motivate and lead a high-performance management team including Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources and Marketing; attract, recruit and retain required members of the management team as needed; provide mentoring as a cornerstone to the management career development program.
• Serve as lead “client-care officer” through direct contact with every member.
• Assist, as required, in maintaining expenditures within approved budgetary parameters while continually evaluating to insure its reasonableness.
• Foster a success-oriented, accountable environment within the firm, while providing opportunities for rising talent.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Managing Director.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages subordinate manager(s) who supervise employee(s); is responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of these departments. Also directly oversee non-supervisory employees. Carries out management responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies, goals and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications of Chief Operating Officer: 

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) and/or 7 or more years equivalent experience in law firm administration operations.
• Experience in managing cross-office staffing needs, ensuring consistent performance, and fostering a unified firm culture.
• Well-organized and able to work with diverse and confidential information.
• Solid understanding of industry specifics and business strategies.
• Observant of ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness.
• Strong interpersonal and group speaking skills.
• Ability to communicate with a diverse group of attorneys and staff in a professional and tactful manner while maintaining confidentiality. 
• Seeks to mentor, inspire, and motivate others to perform well while being accepting of feedback; providing opportunities for rising talent within the firm.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgment to make timely decisions.
• Observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.

Additional experience and educational preferences: 

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job.

• Required: Master of Business Administration (MBA) and/or 7 or more years equivalent experience in law firm administration operations.
• Required: 7 or more years of progressively responsible experience, with a minimum of 5 years of management experience.
• Preferred: Experience in law firm administration operations.
• Preferred: Background in and/or Solid understanding of Finance or Accounting.

Salary Range and Benefits: 

$195,000 - $220,000 – This salary range is dependent upon a variety of factors, which include but are not limited to the following: the candidate’s relevant experience, skill level, and demonstrated ability to perform all of the essential functions of the position as well as the ability to perform tasks which would arise from the needs of the position or as assigned and all of the qualifications listed in the job description. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short & long-term disability, 401K, paid time off, and holiday pay. 

Working Conditions: 

This position can work partially remotely up to 2 days a week, based on the needs of the attorneys and clients. The need to be in the office cannot be predicted as the work assigned will be based on multiple factors. When in the office, it is a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like. Travel outside the office may be necessary occasionally. Ability to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

The above describes the general content and requirements for performing this job. It should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential responsibilities or requirements.