Manager, Legal Department Operations - St. Louis

Manager, Legal Department Operations

Location : Open (Hybrid / Onsite options depending on office)

Compensation : $85,000 - $130,000 annually, plus comprehensive benefits

Direct Counsel is representing an Am Law 100 firm seeking a Manager of Legal Department Operations to work closely with firm leadership across multiple legal departments and industry groups. This role plays a critical part in supporting the strategic, financial, and operational functions that drive the delivery of high-quality legal services.

The Manager will act as a bridge between practice leadership and administrative teams -including Finance, HR, Recruiting, and Professional Development-to ensure efficient operations, data-driven decision-making, and alignment with the firm's long-term business objectives. This is a highly visible position offering a unique vantage point into the inner workings of a top-tier law firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with department and industry leadership to design and implement efficient operational procedures , improving overall workflow, structure, and communication within the department.
• Collaborate with practice group leaders to support strategic planning initiatives , including setting departmental goals and tracking progress against firm objectives.
• Develop and maintain monthly, quarterly, and annual reports highlighting key performance metrics, financial data, and progress toward strategic priorities.
• Lead and support short-term and long-term operational projects , ensuring timely execution and measurable outcomes.
• Manage budget preparation and financial analysis , providing actionable insights to department and industry leadership.
• Oversee onboarding, integration, and offboarding processes for attorneys and professional staff.
• Maintain accurate operational dashboards and key performance metrics to support data-driven decisions.
• Coordinate agendas, track action items, and produce minutes for department meetings and retreats.
• Serve as a liaison between the legal department and administrative support functions , ensuring collaboration across finance, HR, recruiting, and training teams.
• Collaborate effectively within a geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary team , maintaining strong communication and consistency across offices.
• Establish project management standards, providing consistent progress updates and reports across initiatives.

Qualifications

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers a competitive annual salary range of $85,000 - $130,000 , commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package including :