Business Manager- Professional Services

Our client is seeking to recruit a Business Manager within the Professional services industry. Someone with a strong understanding of financial principles within the professional services industry. If you have experience in operations, project management, finance, strategy, this may be the role for you…

The Business Manager will lead and coordinate business operations for the Disputes Resolution Practice Group within EMEA with the aim of driving and enhancing practice performance in line with the global practice strategy and the overall strategy of the Firm. The Practice Group comprises core Commercial litigation, International Arbitration and Investigations, Compliance and Ethics.

Main Responsibilities

Advise and support the Associate Director of Business Management and the Practice Group Leader on strategic, business, and operational matters across the EMEA+ Alliance.

Develop, update and monitor the business plan of the practice and help set and manage the budget proactively to ensure effective implementation of the Firm strategy

Drive improvements in operational and financial performance by monitoring and analysing key performance indicators at practice and service line level, ensuring alignment with planned targets (including cost management, working capital, staffing, and margin contribution)

Ensure cross-practice and cross-functional initiatives implementation at the Practice Group level and coordinate resources from other Professional & Business Services (PBS) functions supporting the same Practice Group to ensure proper coverage and effective strategy execution

Formulate and operationalize strategic initiatives leveraging geographic, industry, and client reach, with a clear view to building market presence and generating revenue

Capture efficiency and innovation opportunities for the main service lines by leading and participating in initiatives, aligned within the global practice and with other Practice Groups

Ensure appropriate resourcing model, headcount planning, staffing, and talent pipeline (including training and performance management) leveraging support from, and in coordination with, other PBS functions

Coordinate interactions with Industry Groups making sure that go-to market and service delivery is appropriate for clients in those sectors

Monitor and ensure effective implementation of client and business development plans leveraging support from other PBS functions

Coordinate internal Practice Group engagement activities and meetings fostering positive and open communication

Leverage services provided by shared service centres and specialist functions within the PBS organization to drive excellence and efficiency

Lead and participate in projects for the practice

Essential Criteria

Relevant undergraduate degree required

Good professional management experience in a global setting, ideally in a professional services environment

Proficiency in law firm operations, legal accounting, and finance

Proficiency in using MS Office applications, including PowerPoint and advanced functions of Excel

An understanding of the elements of law firm profitability at practice group, service line, client, matter, and attorney level

Strong business sense and good judgment in problem-solving

Excellent oral and written communication skills. Effective communication at all organizational levels

Experience with business management, including an understanding of the challenges of operating in different markets regionally

Ability to manage multiple complex operations with continual attention to detail (including accuracy with numbers)

Experience conducting complex qualitative and quantitative analysis, interpreting results, and suggesting action plans

Experience coordinating people in different locations and cultures

Ability to work effectively in informal teams and collaborate cross practice and cross-function in a global organization

Next Steps:
Please submit your application or speak to a specialist consultant from the Abacus team on 0044 (0) 28 9031 3157 for a confidential discussion. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 4 business hours.
The team at Abacus manages a range of permanent and contract positions throughout Northern Ireland, the UK and the Republic of Ireland. If you are experienced and/or professionally qualified we can support your job search.
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