Client Accounts Project Manager - ET

DLA Piper is a firm built on bold, exceptional, collaborative, and supportive values. Our people are the backbone of our success, and we offer a place where you can engage in meaningful work and grow your career.

About the role

The Client Accounts Project Manager supports the firm’s strategic initiatives by acting as a trusted liaison among partners, clients, and internal client administration, billing, collections, and accounting teams. This role ensures effective financial management, timely communication, and strong client service delivery for complex client portfolios.

Location

This hybrid position is available in our Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Miami, New York, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Short Hills, Washington DC, or Wilmington office.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day engagement with designated partners, clients, and internal teams to address financial administration needs with accuracy, urgency, and professionalism.
• Convert detailed billing, receivables, and matter information into clear business updates, insights, and recommendations for partners and clients.
• Produce recurring reporting and financial commentary on billing activity, collection progress, account status, and performance trends.
• Drive follow-through on outstanding items by coordinating with clients, partners, billing personnel, collections staff, and client administration teams.
• Research and resolve invoice questions, charge allocation issues, budget alignment concerns, and payment barriers with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support electronic billing by addressing submission errors, reductions, or rejections.
• Track accruals, approved budgets, alternative fee arrangements, and matter-level financial activity to identify risks or profitability concerns.
• Evaluate aged receivables and open balances, partnering with teams to remove obstacles and improve cash flow outcomes.
• Maintain visibility into client payment activity and execute collection strategies to support annual financial goals.
• Recommend and implement enhancements to workflows, communication practices, reporting methods, and service delivery processes.
• Establish reusable guidance, operational standards, and knowledge-sharing resources to promote consistency across the department.
• Complete additional responsibilities as requested in support of departmental and firm priorities.

Skills

• Strong understanding of legal billing, alternative fee arrangements, matter profitability, realization rates, and client service delivery models.
• Experience with billing, collections, client accounting, e-billing, budgeting, accruals, and legal financial systems.
• Ability to perform analysis and reconciliation between cross-jurisdictional billing and financial systems.
• Experience managing global retainers and multi-jurisdictional matters preferred.
• Familiarity with legal financial systems such as Aderant and Intapp preferred.
• Proficiency in project management tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Asana, or Trello.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent communication, analytical, relationship-building, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and drive consensus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic mindset with a focus on continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum: High School Diploma or GED.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Law, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in legal financial operations or project management.
• Certifications such as LPM, LPP, LPA, or equivalent project management certification preferred. PMP with legal experience also desirable.

Essential Job Expectations

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence efficiently and responsively.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Meet deadlines and perform work duties as required.
• Foster positive work relationships and comply with all firm policies and practices.
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, including working at a computer for extended periods, participating in virtual meetings, and attending in-person meetings as needed.
• Work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Perform all other duties, tasks, or projects as assigned.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. Involves sitting most of the time, with occasional walking and standing.

Pay

The expected hiring range for this position is $100,787 - $153,578 per year, depending on the candidate’s geographic market location, experience, skills, and qualifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.