Executive Director

Executive Director

Richmond, Virginia | Monthly travel to Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, and Virginia Beach required

Lead operational strategy, financial stewardship, and firm-wide leadership across a growing multi-office trust and estate practice.

About the Firm

Carrell Blanton Ferris and Associates is a respected Virginia-based law firm focused on trust and estate planning and administration. With 10 attorneys across 4 offices, the firm is known for delivering thoughtful, client-centered legal services in a collaborative and growth-minded environment.

The Opportunity

The firm is seeking an Executive Director to lead firm-wide operations from its Richmond office. This role will serve as the central leader of the firm’s Management Team and will oversee the administrative, financial, and operational functions that support attorneys and staff across all locations.

Initially based in Richmond, this position will work closely with firm leadership during a planned leadership transition period. The role includes monthly travel to the firm’s other offices to maintain alignment, strengthen culture, and support local teams.

This is a strategic leadership role for someone who brings law firm experience and understands the complexities of managing a multi-office professional services environment.

Core Areas of Responsibility:

Accounting and Finance

• Oversee financial operations including AR, AP, and general ledger integrity
• Support implementation and oversight of accounting systems and financial processes
• Oversee monthly financial reporting and related schedules
• Coordinate with CPA on tax filings and regulatory compliance
• Support ownership earnings calculations and associate bonus structures
• Oversee payroll processes and related benefit reconciliations
• Guide capital purchasing and leasing decisions

Benefits and Insurance Administration

• Oversee benefit programs and compliance requirements
• Partner with brokers to evaluate competitiveness of benefit offerings
• Ensure effective communication of enrollment periods and plan updates

 Human Resources Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight of staff across all 4 offices
• Support managing attorneys with personnel matters
• Guide hiring, onboarding, performance management, and transitions
• Ensure adherence to firm policies and handbook standards
• Engage outside professionals when appropriate for employment matters

IT, Facilities and Vendor Management

• Oversee office space planning and lease considerations
• Maintain vendor and business partner relationships
• Support infrastructure and technology planning across offices

What the Firm Is Seeking

• Minimum of 5 years of law firm administrative leadership experience, 10+ preferred
• Experience in multi-office or similarly complex professional environments
• Ability to build relationships across attorneys, managers, and staff
• Comfort leading through transition and change
• Willingness to travel monthly between offices
• Strong financial and operational oversight capabilities

Transition and Leadership Context

The firm anticipates a thoughtful onboarding period during which the current Firm Administrator may remain involved in financial reporting support for up to 1 year to ensure continuity and effective knowledge transfer.

This role will work alongside the firm’s Management Team, which includes the Director of Marketing, Director of Legal Resources, Director of Client Relations, and Director of IT/Facilities, providing leadership and operational support across the organization.

Benefits include:

• Firm-paid healthcare coverage for employees
• Optional family medical and dental/vision coverage
• Firm-paid short- and long-term disability
• Firm-paid basic life insurance
• 401(k) with 3% employer contribution
• Paid time off and firm holidays
• Association Legal Administrators membership paid

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in this opportunity. Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest in the role.

All inquiries and applications will be handled confidentially. We carefully review each submission and will reach out to candidates whose experience and background most closely align with what we are seeking.

We truly appreciate the time and thought you invested in reviewing this opportunity and applying.