Practice Development Manager - Asset Management

Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm ranked in the top three on The American Lawyer's A-List for eight consecutive years and #1 on Law.com's UK A-List twice in the past three years. The firm has approximately 2,500 lawyers and professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology, and government across the globe. The firm is recognized for leading practices in asset management, private equity, M&A, finance, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation & enforcement, privacy & cybersecurity, and business restructuring.

About the role

The Practice Development Manager (PDM) will serve as a trusted advisor to the Practice Group Leaders (PGLs), Specialty Group Leaders (SGLs), partners, and Director of Practice Development (PDD) within the Asset Management group, focusing on the Registered Funds practice. This role involves setting strategy, driving accountability, and ensuring operational efficiency. The PDM will report to the Director of Practice Development and collaborate with various departments to support the practice’s strategic vision, business operations, financial profitability, resource management, and planning. Occasional travel may be necessary.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with practice and specialty group leadership, partners, and key stakeholders to develop a strategic Registered Funds group plan with clear, achievable goals focused on competitive differentiation, market/brand reputation, talent, and profitability.
• Support Registered Funds leadership with daily operations, including designing and running substantive initiatives and meetings that align with group priorities.
• Identify opportunities for improvement, innovation, and efficiency in business operations, matter management, and infrastructure, and develop actionable solutions.
• Execute and track progress on initiatives supporting the firm’s and Registered Funds’ strategic goals.
• Manage partner and counsel transitions, including evaluating talent needs, on-boarding lateral partners, preparing business cases for promotions, and planning for retirements/succession.
• Collaborate with partners to draft candidate sponsor memoranda and integration plans.
• Work with SGLs, PGLs, and partners to address Registered Funds group knowledge management needs in collaboration with the Legal Knowledge Management team.
• Drive innovation through product development and thought leadership campaigns.
• Partner with attorneys, Legal Knowledge Management, Business Development, and Marketing teams to develop and distribute knowledge marketing products.
• Work with Business Development, Public Relations, and Events teams to raise attorney profiles through speaking opportunities, conferences, sponsorships, and writing opportunities.
• Strategize and oversee the preparation of legal ranking submissions.
• Develop and oversee processes to track Registered Funds experience.
• Facilitate sharing of practice area developments and information with business support teams.
• Monitor trends and best practices in legal and professional services management; communicate the impact of new innovations, developments, and regulations.
• Analyze Registered Funds practice financial performance (revenue, profitability, realization, utilization, WIP, A/R) and work with leadership to drive performance and growth.
• Prepare and manage practice group budgets.
• Manage Practice Development Specialists, Experience Analysts, and Coordinators through coaching, mentoring, and delegation.
• Support the development and implementation of AI-enabled practice development practices, including product development, strategic planning workflows, lateral hiring research, and scalable processes.

Requirements

• Exemplary leadership skills and ability to establish credibility with partners.
• Confidence and professionalism to interact with all levels of the organization, tailoring communications effectively.
• Strong business acumen, project management, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to develop and execute comprehensive project and operational plans from broadly stated objectives.
• Problem-solving skills, ability to work independently, and take initiative.
• Ability to compile and analyze varied data to draw logical conclusions or recommendations.
• Excellent presentation, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to take a hands-on approach and get things done.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with people at all levels.
• Positive, can-do attitude and ability to work collaboratively in a multi-office environment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Experience in asset management/registered funds or in a mid-sized to large law firm preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; JD or MBA preferred but not required.
• At least eight years of applicable experience in a law firm or corporate environment, or as a practicing attorney.
• Proven problem-solving abilities and experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Prior people management experience, including coaching, mentoring, and delegation skills.

Pay

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below and represents the firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the starting salary range at the time of posting. The actual offered rate will be determined based on qualifications, experience, geographic location, education, external market data, and internal equity. This role is also eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance.

• Boston: $150,100 - $240,150
• New York: $161,000 - $257,600

Benefits

Ropes & Gray offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package, including:

• Comprehensive health and well-being benefits.
• Personal and professional development opportunities.
• Career growth opportunities in a collegial and supportive culture.

Schedule

This position requires hybrid on-site presence as an essential function of the role. Consistent and predictable on-site presence is required for ongoing business continuity, professional development, and effective collaboration with colleagues and management.