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. 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 departments such as Finance, Attorney Development, Business Development, Marketing, HR, Knowledge Management, and the Office of General Counsel to support the practice’s strategic vision, business operations, financial profitability, and resource management.

The ideal candidate will have asset management/registered funds expertise or experience in a large law firm or professional services environment, with at least eight years of experience managing complex business operations and teams. Strong leadership, communication, organizational skills, and a proactive attitude are essential. 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.
• Focus on Registered Funds talent needs by working with SGLs, PGLs, partners, and Attorney Talent to manage partner and counsel transitions, including evaluating talent needs, onboarding 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 in partnership with attorneys, Legal Knowledge Management, Business Development, and Marketing teams.
• Partner with Business Development, Public Relations, and Events teams to raise attorney profiles by identifying 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 and facilitate sharing of practice area developments with business support teams.
• Monitor trends and best practices in legal and professional services management and communicate the impact of new innovations, developments, and regulations.
• Analyze Registered Funds practice financial performance (revenue, profitability, realization, utilization, WIP, A/R) with Finance colleagues and work with SGLs, PGLs, and PDD to drive performance and growth.
• Prepare and manage practice group budgets.
• Manage Practice Development Specialists, Experience Analysts, and Coordinators through coaching, mentoring, and delegation of projects and tasks.
• Support the development and implementation of AI-enabled practice development practices, including new product development, strategic planning workflows, lateral hiring market research, and scalable processes.

Requirements

• Exemplary leadership skills and the ability to establish credibility with partners through confidence, tact, and persistence.
• Professionalism to interact diplomatically with all levels of the organization, tailoring communications effectively for different stakeholders.
• 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.
• Desire to learn, problem-solve, and work independently while taking initiative.
• Ability to compile and analyze varied data to draw logical conclusions or recommendations.
• Excellent presentation, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to roll up sleeves and execute tasks hands-on.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with people at all levels.
• Positive, can-do attitude and ability to work in a multi-office environment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality of internal and personnel affairs.

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, 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 strong 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 job-related, non-discriminatory factors, including qualifications, experience, geographic location, education, external market data, and internal equity. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance.

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

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.