Senior Director of Administration

Offices: Washington, D.C.; Boston; Chicago; New York; Los Angeles

About the Role

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm with eleven offices across the United States, 450+ attorney and consulting professionals, and 350+ business and administrative professionals. The firm’s groundbreaking approach—bringing together legal services, advocacy, and business strategy—differentiates Manatt from its competitors and positions the firm to provide a unique and compelling value proposition.

Reporting to the Firm’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and serving as a key member of the Firm’s Business Professional Leadership Team, this role is responsible for leading the Firm’s real estate portfolio and firmwide administrative operations. The Senior Director of Administration will provide strategic oversight of all office locations, including real estate, facilities, space planning, and office administration, while directly managing and developing the Firm’s Directors of Administration across all offices, who supervise the Firm’s administrative professionals, including secretarial and administrative assistants.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Administration Oversight

• Provide leadership, direction, and support to Directors of Administration across all office locations, ensuring consistency in operations, service delivery, and alignment with Firm standards.
• Partner with the CFO and Firm leadership to develop and implement consistent, efficient, and right-sized administrative strategies, policies, and best practices.
• Foster a unified, high-performing administrative culture aligned with the Firm’s “One Manatt” approach.
• Evaluate and optimize administrative structures, workflows, and service models to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Operations & Vendor Management

• Oversee procurement related to facilities and administrative operations, ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with Firm needs.
• Manage key vendor and contractor relationships across all offices.
• Develop and monitor budgets related to real estate and administration, ensuring fiscal discipline and transparency.

Project & Change Management

• Lead and execute firmwide projects related to office openings, closures, relocations, and redesigns.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement solutions to enhance operational performance across offices.
• Manage complex, multi-office initiatives, ensuring timelines, budgets, and deliverables are met.

Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as a primary liaison between Firm leadership, administrative teams, and business professionals to ensure alignment and communication.
• Provide regular reporting and insights to the CFO and leadership on real estate strategy, administrative performance, and key initiatives.

Real Estate & Facilities Management

• In partnership with the Firm’s CFO and external brokers, oversee the Firm’s national real estate portfolio, including lease negotiations, renewals, and long-term occupancy strategy.
• Oversee all aspects of facilities management, including space planning, office utilization, renovations, maintenance, and capital projects.
• Partner with external brokers, landlords, architects, and vendors to execute real estate transactions and office buildouts.
• Ensure all offices meet the Firm’s operational, security, and client-service standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in administration, real estate, and/or facilities management within a legal, consulting, or professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multi-location office operations and leading distributed, large teams.
• Deep knowledge of real estate strategy, lease administration, space planning, and facilities operations.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale initiatives, manage competing priorities, and drive execution.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost management related to real estate and operations.
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Proven ability to unite and lead diverse team members effectively, fostering a cohesive and productive environment.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Analytical skills including aptitude for detail, logic, and extensive office management and administration experience.
• High level of discretion, judgment, and professionalism in handling confidential matters.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel to all Firm office locations.

Pay

The base annual pay range for this role is between $250,000-$300,000. The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience, location, and will also take into account internal equity.

Benefits

A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.