SBU Operations Manager (Financial Services & Capital Markets)

About the role

Husch Blackwell LLP is a full-service litigation and business law firm with multiple locations across the United States, serving clients with domestic and international operations. The firm is committed to retaining, recruiting, developing, and promoting talented lawyers and business professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, fostering an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose. If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role and will be valued and empowered, we invite you to apply to our SBU Operations Manager position, supporting the Financial Services & Capital Markets industry group. This position may be based in the Central or Mountain time zones, with a preference for location in a city with a Husch Blackwell office.

Responsibilities

• Strategy Implementation: Partner with the Managing Director and SBU leader in executing the SBU’s strategic plan, including business growth, client development, and market positioning initiatives; manage the execution of strategic projects, ensuring objectives are met and key results are delivered; monitor industry trends and the competitive landscape, including the evolving role of AI in legal service delivery, and translate relevant developments into actionable recommendations for SBU leadership; support cross-functional projects that enhance SBU effectiveness.
• Operational Excellence & Process Improvement: Identify, design, and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, quality, and consistency across the SBU, escalating recommendations to leadership as needed; facilitate the SBU’s use of the firm’s AI capabilities, connecting attorneys with the tools and support needed to transform how legal work is delivered and elevate client service; develop and maintain best practices and procedures that support operational excellence across the SBU; serve as liaison and escalation point between the SBU and firm-wide operations functions (e.g., conflicts, pricing, business intake, integration) as well as other departments (e.g., Business Development, Finance, People), driving resolution on cross-functional issues to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Financial Management: Compile, analyze, and maintain budgeting, forecasting, and variance-analysis data, providing the Managing Director with a preliminary assessment to support review of the SBU's financial performance; collaborate with Finance to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and prepare regular reporting and actionable insights for SBU leadership; work with Pricing Team to make sure the SBU's pricing strategy keeps pace with how AI is changing the delivery of legal work; conduct review of attorney requests for write-downs, write-offs, and new business intake, and escalate matters relevant to pricing, profitability, and client-matter management to leadership.
• Human Capital Management: Support SBU leadership on recruitment, onboarding, integration, and talent development activities; collaborate with People Business Partners on feedback and performance-management processes within the SBU, including supporting improvement plans for underperforming timekeepers; monitor workload allocation and utilization and recommend staffing solutions to leadership to balance client needs and professional development; contribute to a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
• Additional Responsibilities: Prepare and present regular reports and updates to the Managing Director and SBU leadership; support business development, client relationship management, and other special projects as assigned, including initiatives related to the firm’s AI tools and capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5+ years of experience in legal operations, practice management, or professional services leadership.
• Strong understanding of law firm economics, attorney workflows, and client service delivery.
• Exceptional communication, analytical, and project management skills.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate across functions and levels.

Qualifications

• Experience in an AmLaw 100 or similarly complex law firm environment.
• Familiarity with legal technology platforms and data analytics tools.
• Detail-oriented with a hands-on approach to execution.

Benefits

• Medical and dental coverage
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Pre-tax flexible spending account for certain medical and dependent care expenses
• Employee assistance program
• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays