Reports To: Executive Committee/Tier 1 Partners
Supervises: Operations and other Senior Staff
Role Overview:
The CEO is the senior executive responsible for the overall strategic direction, operational management, and financial performance of the law firm. The CEO is tasked with driving operational efficiency, enhancing financial analysis, ensuring alignment among equity partners, and developing the next generation of leadership within the firm. This role also includes leading the operations team, encompassing accounting, billing, human resources, hiring, training, and technology. The CEO will work closely with the executive committee and equity partners to uphold the firm's values and achieve long-term growth objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
# 1. Strategic Leadership:
- Vision and Strategy: Develop and implement the firm’s strategic plan in close collaboration with equity partners, ensuring alignment with the firm’s mission, vision, and long-term goals.
- Collaborative Decision-Making: Foster a collaborative environment with equity partners, ensuring that key strategic decisions are made with their input.
- Growth and Expansion: Identify, develop and pursue opportunities for growth, including new practice areas, geographic expansion, and strategic partnerships, in partnership with the equity group. Lead diligence process and information gathering, organization and analysis.
- Change Management: Lead the firm through transformational changes, working closely with equity partners and the operations team to promote buy-in, smooth transitions, and sustained performance.
- Strategic Alignment: Regularly engage with equity partners to ensure that the firm’s strategic direction aligns with their professional interests and the overall vision for the firm.
# 2. Operational Management:
- Leadership of Operations Team: Provide direct leadership to the operations team, including accounting, billing, HR, hiring, training, and technology functions, ensuring all areas operate efficiently and effectively.
- Process Optimization: Oversee the efficiency and effectiveness of day-to-day operations, implementing best practices to improve workflow, productivity, and service delivery across all departments.
- Technology Integration: Ensure the adoption and effective utilization of modern technologies to enhance practice management, client service, internal communication, and operational efficiency.
- Human Resources Management: Oversee HR functions, including recruitment, hiring, training, performance management, and employee development, ensuring a high-performing and engaged workforce.
- Quality Assurance: Maintain high standards of legal practice, client service, and professional ethics across all departments.
# 3. Financial Oversight:
- Financial Planning and Analysis: Work closely with Finance Committee to develop and manage the firm’s budget, forecast financial performance, and analyze key financial metrics.
- Revenue Optimization: Monitor and drive revenue growth, ensuring that billing practices, fee structures, and client engagements are optimized for profitability and increase velocity of revenue from production (WIP) to billing, to collections (A/R).
- Cost Management: Oversee cost control measures and ensure that expenses are aligned with budgetary goals and strategic priorities.
- Billing and Collections: Ensure that billing processes are efficient and effective, and oversee collections to maintain strong cash flow and financial stability.
# 4. Ownership and Partner Alignment:
- Equity Structure/Business Model: Manage and review the firm’s equity and incentive structure, ensuring fair and transparent processes for profit distribution, partner compensation, and capital deployment/retention. Develop proposals for structural enhancements to model in collaboration with key stakeholders and partners, so as to ensure sustainability and alignment with attorney career goals, skills, and enhanced ability to make contributions to the firm, including through client relationship management.
- Governance: Facilitate effective governance practices, ensuring clear communication and decision-making processes among equity partners. Development and maintain meeting agendas for all management and partner meetings, with input, as appropriate.
- Conflict Resolution: Mediate and resolve conflicts among partners, ensuring alignment with the firm’s goals and values.
# 5. Junior Partner Training and Development:
- Mentorship Programs: Develop and implement mentorship and training programs that provide junior partners with the guidance and support needed to grow as leaders within the firm.
- Professional Development: Ensure that junior partners have access to training opportunities in business development, financial management, client relations, and operational leadership.
- Succession Planning: Work with the executive committee to identify and develop future leaders within the firm, preparing them for increased responsibilities and potential equity partnership, and assisting in developing a process by where equity eligibility is evaluated, and readiness is ensured.
# 6. Client Relationship Management:
- Client Retention: Develop strategies to maintain and strengthen relationships with key clients, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and loyalty.
- Marketing: Manage development of marketing initiatives using internal and external resources and providers.
- Business Development: Support partners and associates in acquiring new clients and expanding existing client relationships, leveraging and enhancing the firm’s reputation and expertise.
# 7. Compliance and Risk Management:
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the firm complies with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including professional conduct rules and financial reporting standards.
- Risk Management: Oversee the identification and management of risks, including those related to client engagements, financial practices, and firm operations.
# 8. External Representation:
- Industry Leadership: Represent or seek opportunities for others to represent the firm in relevant community associations and legal forums with the goal of enhancing the firm’s reputation and influence.
In order to be considered for the role and as part of our application process, please complete the survey linked below.
https://go.cultureindex.com/p/R2g5kF25VCUseTb
Benefits and Compensation:
The salary range for this position is $225,000-$250,000 depending on experience.
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (part of premium is paid by employer)
- Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
- 401(k) Plan
- Paid Time Off
Preference will be given to candidates who are either currently residing in the Denver Metro Area or have already made plans to relocate to the region.