Chief Operating Officer
12 days ago
Austin
Job Description Reports To: Firm President and Executive Committee Supervises: Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing & Business Development, Facilities & Operations FLSA Status: Exempt Location: The Firm is headquartered in Waco, Texas, which is its financial and accounting hub, however the Firm is willing to make reasonable accommodations for the right candidate who wishes to work out of any of the Firm’s five offices (Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio or Waco) Job Type: Full-Time ABOUT THE FIRM Founded in 1917, Naman Howell Smith & Lee, PLLC is one of Texas’s most established full-service law firms. With more than 100 attorneys across five offices, including Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Waco, the Firm provides comprehensive legal services to clients throughout the state and beyond. For over a century, Naman Howell has built its reputation on deep client relationships, practical legal counsel, and an unwavering commitment to the communities it serves. POSITION SUMMARY The Chief Operating Officer serves as the senior administrative leader of the Firm, responsible for directing and coordinating all non-legal operations to ensure the Firm’s business objectives are achieved efficiently and strategically either directly or through the Firm’s management team. Working in close partnership with the President and Executive Committee, the COO provides leadership across finance, human resources, information technology, marketing, facilities, and operations. This is a hands-on, enterprise-wide leadership role designed for a strategic operator who can translate the Firm’s vision into disciplined execution. The COO will build and maintain the operational infrastructure necessary to support a growing, multi-office organization by enhancing profitability, strengthening internal culture, and ensuring the Firm’s administrative platform enables attorneys to focus on serving clients at the highest level. All non-attorney administrative departments and personnel ultimately report to the Chief Operating Officer. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership & Firm Administration • Serve as a trusted partner to the President and Executive Committee in shaping firm strategy, growth priorities, and organizational direction., • Translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans with clear metrics, accountability, and reporting rhythms across all departments., • Lead and support firm governance initiatives, partnership communications, and leadership alignment., • Champion change management and internal communications, introducing structure and systems upgrades while respecting the Firm’s culture and history., • Represent operations in partner meetings and firm-wide forums; serve as a bridge between administrative functions and the partnership., • Cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability, collaboration, and professional excellence across all offices., • Operate as an integrator across leadership, driving execution through trust, influence, and sound judgment rather than formal authority alone. Financial Management & Performance Optimization • Direct all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, billing, collections, and financial reporting., • Develop and monitor key performance indicators for profitability, utilization, realization, and overhead efficiency., • Utilize financial dashboards and KPI reporting to give leadership visibility into firm performance and support data-driven decision-making., • Collaborate with firm leadership on pricing strategies, client profitability analysis, and resource allocation., • Support partner compensation modeling, distributions, and capital planning., • Ensure compliance with applicable tax, audit, and regulatory requirements. Human Resources, Talent & Culture • Manage the Firm’s in-house HR team and oversee firm-wide HR strategy, including recruitment, retention, career pathways, performance management, total rewards, and professional development for all non-attorney personnel., • Assist the Executive Committee in associate attorney compensation, bonus evaluation, and professional development initiatives., • Work with HR to help design and maintain scalable HR policies, employee handbooks, and compliance frameworks., • Provide direction on employee engagement, retention, and wellness programs that reinforce the Firm’s values and support a high-performance culture., • Work in tandem with HR to help manage compensation benchmarking, benefits strategy, and total rewards programs., • Serve as a cultural steward and a trusted resource for conflict resolution and employee counseling when needed. Technology & Innovation • Manage the Firm’s in-house IT team and outsourced IT vendor to oversee the Firm’s information technology function, including infrastructure, cybersecurity, practice management systems, and help desk operations., • Ensure secure, modern, and scalable technology that supports attorney productivity and cross-office collaboration., • Evaluate and implement legal technology platforms and tools, including document management, time and billing, AI-assisted solutions, and workflow automation that are aligned with the Firm’s strategic goals., • Lead disaster recovery planning, business continuity protocols, and data governance., • Manage technology vendor relationships, maintenance contracts, and system performance., • Monitor emerging technologies and recommend cost-effective adoption strategies that enhance client service and operational efficiency. Marketing, Business Development & Client Experience • Manage the Firm’s in-house marketing team and oversee administrative support for marketing and business development activities, including the Firm’s website, digital presence, branding, and thought leadership., • Coordinate with attorneys on client development initiatives, event sponsorships, and pitch materials., • Support external communications, client feedback programs, and cross-selling opportunities., • Ensure consistent brand messaging and quality across all offices and platforms., • Align marketing efforts with practice group growth goals and geographic priorities., • Foster attorney engagement in marketing, networking, and community involvement activities. Facilities, Operations & Risk Management • Oversee real estate, facilities, and office services across all five locations, ensuring high service levels and cost-effective management., • Lead office space planning, lease administration, and renovation or expansion projects as needed., • Manage vendor relationships, purchasing, and office services including equipment, supplies, and mail operations., • Drive process improvement initiatives across administrative workflows, records management, and matter intake., • Manage the Firm’s insurance programs, including professional liability, business interruption, and cyber liability coverage., • Ensure operational compliance with professional, regulatory, and cybersecurity requirements., • Maintain and update internal policies, procedures, and business continuity plans. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Required • Significant senior operational leadership experience in a law firm or professional services environment, with direct oversight of multiple administrative functions., • Demonstrated expertise in financial management, HR strategy, technology operations, and organizational development., • Proven track record of building infrastructure, policies, and scalable processes in a growing organization with quantifiable impact., • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, finance, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience., • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Preferred • Experience in a multi-office law firm environment with 75 or more attorneys., • Familiarity with law firm economics, including partner compensation structures, realization metrics, and practice group management., • MBA, JD, CPA, CLM (Certified Legal Manager), or other relevant professional certification., • Experience with legal technology platforms such as document management systems, time and billing software, and AI-assisted tools., • Prior role as COO, Executive Director, Firm Administrator, or equivalent in a legal or professional services partnership. LEADERSHIP TRAITS & CULTURAL FIT The ideal candidate is a grounded, credible leader who operates with humility, high emotional intelligence, and a service-oriented mindset. The Firm values the following attributes: • Hands-On & Strategic — Willing to roll up sleeves and build systems from the ground up while keeping the big picture in focus., • Collaborative & Trustworthy — Builds genuine trust with attorneys, staff, and leadership across all offices., • Action-Oriented — Not just a strategist; a doer who drives initiatives across the finish line with a sense of urgency., • Emotionally Intelligent — Adept at navigating partnership dynamics, sensitive to how people prefer to receive information, and skilled at bringing diverse stakeholders into alignment., • Data-Driven — Uses metrics and insights to inform decisions, drive accountability, and demonstrate results., • Resilient & Adaptable — Thrives in ambiguity and can pivot quickly as circumstances and priorities evolve., • Responsive & Communicative — Acknowledges inquiries promptly, keeps stakeholders informed, and maintains a cadence of proactive communication., • Committed to Excellence — Delivers high-quality, accurate work product ahead of deadlines and sets the standard for the administrative team. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Naman Howell offers a competitive compensation package, including base salary, annual bonus, and comprehensive benefits. The Firm compensates its leadership at a professional level commensurate with experience and market standards, and provides benefits including health insurance, retirement plan, membership in professional organizations, and continuing education opportunities. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Naman Howell Smith & Lee, PLLC is an equal opportunity employer. The Firm is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of an NHSL employee. Other responsibilities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
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