US Head of Practice Management, Global M&A and Capital
At a glance
Director-level Investment & Corporate Development role at Freshfields. New York · full-time · $300,000–$350,000 base.
financeroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Coordinate support teams and resources so US M&A, Capital Markets, Private Capital and Finance lawyers can deliver legal services
- Shape staffing approaches, technology use, knowledge resources and training across the practice group
- Assign associate work by client demand, urgency, availability, seniority, skills and development needs, while keeping distribution equitable
- Review associate and counsel workloads, then work with partners to correct capacity imbalances and address burnout risks
- Coordinate lateral hiring, new-attorney onboarding, performance reviews, career progression and promotion work with partners and support teams
What you bring
- You bring experience advising practice leadership and coordinating operational resources across a legal practice
- You can oversee lawyer staffing, utilization, development and hiring in partnership with recruiting, HR and talent teams
Who this fits
This director-level role suits a practice-management leader who can advise the US practice leader and support partners across several legal teams. The role is located in New York and reports to the practice group leader and US COO.
From the employer
Overview of the Function
The Global M&A and Capital (GMAC) Department’s lawyer population is comprised of associates reporting to partners across several sub-practice teams. The GMAC group is made up of M&A, Capital Markets, Private Capital, and Finance lawyers. The GMAC department also includes practice support functions, including paralegal support, practice resource attorneys, and knowledge professionals.
The position reports directly to the Practice Group Leader and to the US COO.
Role summary/purpose of job
The US Head of Practice Management, Global M&A and Capital will serve as operational chief and trusted advisor to the US GMAC Practice Group Leader and will support all US GMAC partners. The person in the role will have primary responsibility for coordination of resources within US GMAC and will work directly with practice group leadership to drive operational efficiency.
The role will liaise with global practice group leadership and regional and global heads of business services functions to support the practice group’s goals associated with operations and resourcing; talent development; culture & inclusion; knowledge and innovation; and other areas of focus.
Key responsibilities and deliverables
Practice Support and Operations
- Provide operational oversight of practice group support functions to ensure optimal delivery of legal services.
- Collaborate with business services departments (e.g., Legal Recruiting, Learning and Development, Talent Development, C&I, HR, IT, Knowledge, Legal, etc.) to ensure appropriate support for the practice group.
- Promote innovation within the team by providing direction and input into ways of working, resource management, and use of technology, including AI.
- Provide input and collaborate on design and implementation of different operating models for resourcing.
- Oversee practice group knowledge program and precedent management system.
- Oversee development and delivery of practice group training programs.
- Oversee paralegal program.
Talent Recruitment and Development
- Support the Practice Group Leader and partners in building high performing legal teams, including development and tracking of associate milestone achievement.
- Manage associate work allocation with the support of the practice management coordinator, balancing client needs, matter urgency, associate availability, seniority, skill level, development goals, and equitable distribution of both high-profile and routine work.
- Administer junior associate staffing pools and rotation models so that associates receive broad exposure across matter types, partners, clients, and deal stages while maintaining continuity for matters and responsiveness to partners.
- Monitor associate and counsel utilization on an ongoing basis, identify under- or over-utilization trends, and work with partners to adjust staffing, address excess capacity, protect against burnout, and ensure lawyers are receiving the right level of experience.
- Work closely with Recruiting on lateral associate, counsel, and partner hiring, including advising on headcount needs, role requirements, market priorities, candidate profiles, interviewer selection, offer strategy, and practice-specific integration plans.
- Partner with Recruiting and HR to oversee lateral attorney integration after hire, including onboarding, initial work assignments, partner and mentor connections, early feedback loops, and check-ins at key points during the first year.
- Collaborate with Talent Development, HR and partners in delivery of annual performance appraisals.
- Escalate utilization and performance issues. Work with partners, HR, and other business services departments to appropriately manage associate and counsel performance.
- Facilitate professional development and career progression of associates and counsel, collaborating as appropriate with talent development committee, GMAC partners, and regional and global business services departments.
- Support the Practice Group Leader in annual partner/counsel promotion process.
Internal Communications and Reporting
- Oversee development and coordination of practice group meetings. Work with Practice Group Leader to develop agendas for partner-counsel meetings.
- Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and cost management.
For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in New York and California, Freshfields is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the States of New York and California and takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $300,000 to $350,000.
EEO Statement
Freshfields US LLP is proud to be an equal employment employer. Our policies and practices will be free from unlawful discrimination based upon race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship, immigration status, ancestry, age, marital status, protected veteran status, military service, disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. We strive to promote an atmosphere that encourages equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices, including sexual harassment.
Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Freshfields US LLP
Freshfields US LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system and you need an accommodation due to a disability, you may use the alternative email address below to contact us about your interest in employment at BusinessServicesRecruitment@Freshfields.com , or you can send your resume to BusinessServicesRecruitment@Freshfields.com , or you can call us at +1-212-277-4000.