Business Manager

The Business Manager will manage the firm's day-to-day business and administrative operations, working closely with firm leadership to ensure the firm operates efficiently and with sound financial discipline. The role spans financial performance, billing and collections, client rates and fee arrangements, vendor and business contracts, budgeting, and operational processes, translating financial and operational detail into practical recommendations.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working with attorneys, clients, staff, vendors, and outside professionals and can confidently analyze financial information, get to the root of issues, ask the right questions, and bring solutions to firm leadership.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Billing, Collections, & Accounts Receivable Advisory

• Advise firm leadership and the Director of Finance on billing, collections, and accounts receivable matters, without direct oversight of those functions.
• Help resolve billing and collections issues, such as invoice disputes, rejected or reduced invoices, write-downs, and billing guideline or e-billing problems, identifying root causes and preventing recurrence.
• Identify and evaluate AI tools and other technology to improve billing, invoice review, and collections, and partner with firm leadership and the Director of Finance to pilot and adopt them.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Analyze the firm's financial reports and key metrics, such as realization and collection rates, to provide firm leadership with business insights and recommendations.
• Identify trends, variances, financial risks, and opportunities across the firm and lead the development of responses or corrective action, including improvements to efficiency, profitability, and service.
• Analyze the financial implications of client rates, discounts, alternative fee arrangements, and other pricing decisions and present recommendations to firm leadership and attorneys.
• Review business contracts from a financial and commercial perspective, identifying pricing concerns, financial risks, renewal provisions, and other issues, and propose a course of action.
• Lead budgeting and assist with P&L preparation, forecasting, financial planning, and other business analyses.

Business Operations

• Serve as a business advisor to the Managing Partner and firm leadership, delivering analyses and recommendations on investments, expenditures, client arrangements, and other initiatives.
• Lead implementation of approved initiatives and process improvements, coordinating with attorneys, staff, vendors, and outside professionals.
• Manage key vendor relationships, including reviewing vendor contracts and evaluating performance and cost-effectiveness.
• Prepare Executive Committee materials and track follow-through on committee decisions.
• Assist with office operations, technology, insurance, facilities, and other business functions as needed.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience as a business manager or in a related role, preferably in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Strong financial analytical skills, including the ability to review a P&L, forecasts, expenses, invoices, and financial reports.
• Proven ability to work effectively across departments, manage competing priorities, and hold others accountable for deliverables.
• Excellent organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to make complex business issues understandable to attorneys, staff, vendors, and firm leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel skills.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and integrity in handling sensitive firm, financial, personnel, and client information.

Preferred

• Prior experience in an insurance defense or litigation-focused law firm.
• Experience with legal billing systems, financial software, or practice management platforms.
• Experience supporting C-suite or senior executive leadership.

Desired Professional Characteristics

• Builds strong relationships with attorneys and clients and addresses business and financial matters with confidence and diplomacy.
• Influences and drives initiatives forward without formal decision-making authority, recognizing that major decisions remain with firm leadership.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, expected in the range of $120,000 - $170,000.
• Performance-based annual bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k); paid time off; life insurance; twelve paid holidays; parental leave; military leave; mobile phone stipend.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This position is primarily performed in a professional office environment with daily in-office presence required to start; a hybrid arrangement will be considered after four months of employment. Occasional travel to the firm's branch offices or firm events.