Managing Director, Legal Services

Overview

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from varied backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross-functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do.

We are not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.

This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward-thinking peers.

Role

We are creating a new kind of leadership role with an opportunity to shape the way we deliver legal services. The Managing Director of Legal Services will oversee and unify all of our non-attorney timekeeper functions including paralegals, pro bono professionals, financial analysts, IP operations, and other emerging roles / teams. This leader will ensure these functions work together seamlessly to deliver maximum client value, drive firm profitability, and free up our attorneys to focus on the highest-value, most strategic work.

At a time when the classic pyramid model of legal staffing is disappearing and new expectations for efficiency, innovation, and business alignment are reshaping the legal industry, this role becomes absolutely critical. We are looking for a visionary builder and change leader who can help us design the firm of the future.

What You Will Do

Lead & Inspire

Provide strategic leadership across all non-attorney professional teams, ensuring they are high-performing, cohesive, and aligned with firm priorities.

Establish a strong vision and shared culture of innovation, collaboration, and impact across diverse groups of professionals.

Rethink & Redesign Service Delivery

Challenge traditional staffing models and workflows and reimagine how legal services are delivered to clients.

Partner with attorneys, attorney development managers and practice managers to ensure the right work is being done by the right people, in the right way, at the right cost.

Explore, propose and pilot new models for right-sourcing legal work, including automation, self-service, and technology-enabled solutions.

Maximize Client Value & Firm Profitability

Align all initiatives with client priorities, ensuring that every improvement demonstrates clear and measurable client value.

Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and scale, while also increasing profitability.

In collaboration with Business Intelligence & Analytics function, develop metrics and dashboards that provide visibility into value creation, cost management, and team performance, and identify and promote use cases by relevant leaders and functions.

Champion Innovation & Technology

Drive adoption of advanced technology, automation, and AI to transform how we deliver legal and business advisory services.

Move beyond incremental process improvements to design and implement new models of legal service delivery.

Ensure we continuously evolve as client expectations, markets, and technology shift.

Who You Are

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (JD, MBA, or related field) strongly preferred.

12+ years of progressive leadership experience in legal operations, professional services management, or related fields.

Proven success leading multi-disciplinary teams within a law firm, corporate legal department, or professional services organization.

Deep knowledge of legal operations, right-sourcing, and modern service delivery models.

Strong business and financial acumen; demonstrated ability to balance client value with firm profitability.

Demonstrated ability to drive and deliver large-scale transformation and innovation.

Exceptional communication, influence, and leadership skills, with a track record of inspiring diverse teams.

Energized by the opportunity to redefine what legal services delivery looks like in a rapidly changing industry.

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Benefits and More

At Goodwin, you will discover your next career opportunity with a rewarding compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including :

Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work schedule

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Retirement & Savings Plan

Emergency back-up child and adult care

Paid vacation, sick time off, and holidays

Professional development and career advancement opportunities

Employee recognition and reward programs

Employee wellness and assistance programs

Employee discounts and perks

Consistent with the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status. To request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process in the US, contact the Benefits Department by email or by phone at 617-570-1800. To request any disability or neurodivergence related accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process in the UK or Germany, please email the Recruiting Department. Any information you provide will be in the strictest confidence, and only used for the purpose of providing the accommodations needed. Requesting accommodations will not adversely affect the outcome of your application.

This position is eligible for overtime : No The Target Salary Range For This Position Varies By Location And Is Commensurate With Relevant Experience : $285,000.00 - $375,000.00

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