Chief Operations Officer
Zanes Law is one of the most successful law firms in Arizona because of the people who make up our team. We strive daily to be GOATS (the greatest of all time) at what we do! To do so, you must have an ownership mentality in your approach to making decisions, solving problems, and overseeing our high growth law firm’s operations.
The ideal candidate will be systems-oriented, optimistic, and a team builder, ready to lead the firm to the next level. This job is for the strategic growth catalyst that sees the bigger strategic picture and can readily identify and overcome obstacles to multiplying the firm's revenues. The candidate will have a record of implementing and achieving company objectives and key results in order to fuel growth.
To be successful in our high accountability environment, you will need to be able to adapt in a fluid environment and find better ways to serve our clients and our team. Success means that you are versatile and willing to step outside of your specific job description when needed to be a better teammate or to better serve our clients. Excelling will require you to continue to educate yourself and continue to personally grow and expand your skill set. Being a great teammate is required of everyone at the firm and making decisions based on what is best for the team is a must, even if what is best for you individually is something different. Finally, we only add positive forces to our environment. We do not have the time or energy to be bogged down in negativity!
If you can subscribe to the principals outlined above, than you are the type of person who will be successful at Zanes Law and who will be able to help us thrive! If you feel this level of accountability is not right for you, we certainly understand. If you are unwilling or unable to engage with us at this level and take the steps necessary to do what you say you are going to do and be accountable, then we are not going to be a good fit. We understand that not every person is ready for this level of commitment, and we appreciate the honesty of those who decide that Zanes Law is not the right place for them. On the other hand, if the above describes you and you are willing to commit to those principals, we will have a great time changing the world and the lives of our clients!
ROLE OVERVIEW:
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) position is a professional strategic position, not an administrative or clerical position within the Law Firm. As the most senior non-legal member on the team, the COO will be THE key point of leadership to all staff members and work closely with the owner(s) on Firm-wide strategy, systems development, and HR issues. The COO will be involved in all phases of administration, personnel, finances, facilities, technology, and security, and will be responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the day-to-day operations of the Firm.
An ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in a COO-level role and will have experience helping enterprises navigate the complexities of rapid growth. Critical requirements include a strong metrics and productivity focus, a steady management hand to foster our established corporate culture, the utmost in professionalism, and ready to have FUN growing a phenomenal business with a premier law firm.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Systems & Operational Process Refinement
Create and Implement Firm Management procedures to prepare the Firm to double in revenue
Implement staff performance review and feedback systems, timelines, and procedures.
Refine and maintain the Firm’s technology infrastructure to minimize waste and maximize internal efficiencies within the Firm.
Create internal process audit systems
Refine and implement productivity metrics and dashboards whereby we can more accurately measure and improve Firm efficiency.
Financial Management
Work with the Firm’s ownership and Controller to plan and implement the Firm's annual operations budget.
Collaborate with Ownership to improve financial controls and analyze key financial reports to identify inefficiencies in the Firm and spot opportunities for improvement to the Firm’s bottom-line.
Supervise collections activities.
Facilities Management
Oversee the Firm Administrator to facilitate the smooth operation of the back-end operations of the Firm.
Work with firm ownership in equipping office spaces.
Approve the purchasing of office equipment and supplies.
Ensure emergency protocols are in place, with staff trained on the same, when needed.
Human Resources
Determine attorney and non-attorney hiring needs. Recruit, interview, and screen applicants for attorney and non-attorney positions.
Orient, train and act as the Firm’s supervisor of all non-legal staff, including paralegals.
Evaluate all non-legal staff around defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and make recommendations to Owner regarding their work assignments, salaries, bonuses and discipline.
Implements and enforces the Firm's personnel rules and employment policies.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Education:
At a minimum, the COO will have graduated from a recognized college or university with major course work in business administration or management, finance, human resources, technology or marketing, or comparable work experience.
An MBA and professional certifications like the Certified Legal Manager (CLM) designation are strongly preferred.
Experience:
At a minimum, the COO must have previous knowledge of legal or other professional service organizations and have significant experience managing business operations such as operations finance, facilities, and human resources. Experience in Management systems and operational process refinement are of the highest importance.
An ideal candidate will have 10 years’ experience as a COO, CFO, or similar position in a company with 100 plus team members.
Skills & Abilities:
Leadership: Can confidently manage support staff and delegate as necessary, maintaining good interpersonal relations and communications with lawyers and support staff, and helping to cultivate the Firm’s culture.
Strategy: Can capably foresee roadblocks impeding Firm growth and efficiency and successfully navigate the Firm through to explosive growth.
Analytic Thinking: Ability to structure and process qualitative or quantitative data and draw insightful conclusions from it.
Organization and Planning: Ability to plan, organize, schedule, and budget in an efficient and productive manner that keeps the big picture in clear view.
Cultural Competencies:
Proactivity: A COO will see strategic needs, bring them into awareness, and lead the charge to conquer those challenges.
Caring: The Firm prides itself on the personal care provided to clients. That starts with personal care devoted to internal matters.
Capable: A COO carries a confident, positive demeanor that makes the rest of the team better than they could be independently.
Commitment: Dedication to the success of the Firm, ready to go above and beyond
Optimism: “Can-do” attitude
Coachability: Excited to collaborate for creative problem-solving. Ready to do the hard work of listening before speaking.
Integrity: Transparency and personal accountability must be demonstrated.
COMPENSATION:
Salary:Zanes Law offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit package consistent with industry standards. Actual salary is dependent upon qualifications and comes with an attractive benefits package that includes health insurance, a 401(k)/profit sharing plan as well as a Defined Benefit Plan.