International Head of Operations for Finance Group

International Head of Operations for Finance Group

Role Purpose

DLA Piper is organised into seven practice Groups. Each Group is led by an International Group Head (IGH). The International Group Head of Operations leads the operational and business management of the Group, working collaboratively with the IGH, Location Heads and Practice Area Leaders.

Group Heads of Operation (HoOs) work closely with the IGH to create the Group’s business strategy and ensure that it is delivered throughout the international Group. They are responsible for ensuring that the Group is operating efficiently and effectively, delivering operational and financial management and driving forward strategic change and continuous business improvement.

The role has an oversight and coordination function across Business Services, working closely with business partners in the firm’s Business Services teams to ensure activities are aligned with the Group Strategy, joined up and delivering value.

DLA Piper operates a matrix business model whereby the Group HoOs also work closely with Country Managing Partners and HoOs in countries, for geographic-specific activities such as lateral partner hiring. This is a key, senior-level hire forming part of the Group's Senior Leadership Team where the right candidate will have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the management and performance of DLA Piper.

Main duties and responsibilities

The Group Head of Operation will act as a leader for the International Group and a trusted business adviser for key stakeholders, developing a deep understanding of the Group, its services and its partners.

Strategy

• Supports the IGH in devising, communicating and embedding the vision and the strategic priorities of the Group.

• Manages the strategic planning process for the Group ensuring that location, business service area and individual partner plans are aligned with the Group’s overall strategy and vision.
• Effectively communicates the strategy across the Group and secures buy-in and support for it at all levels of the Group.
• Turns strategic plans and priorities into tactical actions for execution. In particular to drive strategic growth and capability in key jurisdictions.
• Supports the IGH in devising and communicating the strategic priorities with the Finance Group in the US.

Financial Performance

• Works with the IGH, Finance team and Location Heads to create an annual budget that supports the Group’s strategy and drive for improved growth and profitability.

• Undertakes regular analysis of financial information to monitor Group’s performance against budget, defining any appropriate measures to capitalise on opportunities or to mitigate risks.
• Contributes to the financial successes of the Group by recommending and implementing actions to improve performance including, but not limited to restructuring, recruitment, cost management etc.
• Has direct oversight of all resources and costs within the International Group

People

• Works alongside the HR Business Partner to create a people plan for the Group identifying skill gaps, the talent pipeline and performance issues.

• Develops a pipeline of internal partner promotion candidates, coaching and supporting candidates through the process.
• Manages the partner rem process for the Group, advising IGH on points and bonus recommendations, coordinating communications regarding rem outcomes. Manages the appeals process for the Group advising the IGH on appeal recommendations.
• Throughout the year, provides IGH with regular updates on partner performance, putting appropriate measures in place to support improvement should individual partners require it.
• Works as an informal coach and mentor to partners and fee earners as appropriate.

Recruitment

• Approves or declines requests to hire fee earners that are generated by CMPs and/or Location Heads, in consultation with the IGH.

• Advises and supports IGH and collaborates with Country HoOs on all aspects of lateral partner hiring process, interviewing candidates to evaluate their business case and supporting the development of a comprehensive integration plan for new partner joiners.

Clients, Sectors & Service Delivery

• Has oversight of key initiatives impacting the international Group with a goal to significantly enhance the brand and profile of the international Group internally and externally.

• Works with MBD Business Partner to ensure that MBD activities are aligned with Group priorities and acts as an escalation point where disputes and queries arise between different Groups or partners with regard to how work is priced or delivered.
• Works with the Group to set priorities for service delivery improvements.
• Ensures Sector involvement in the lateral hiring process, where candidates have a strong Sector focus.

Change

• Drives change for the Group by setting the priorities and ensuring that change initiatives are aligned to the Group strategy and vision.

• Ensures that the right team is put in place deliver specific change projects, involving key stakeholders as appropriate.
• Communicates change initiatives within the Group to ensure engagement and buy-in and increase likelihood of success and further roll out.

Engagement and communications

• Works with HR to identify actions from feedback and to improve the engagement of teams.

• Develops and delivers the Group’s communication plan and develops communications to non-Group stake holders including the Executive, CMPs, ISHs and other IGHs.
• Role models and champions the culture and values of the firm for the Group.

Leadership

• Aligned with the IGH, provides active leadership within the Group, responsible for effective decision making across internal business operations and has delegated authority of IGH as appropriate.
• Acts as a point of escalation for any complex operational issues relating to the International Group.

About you

• Educated to MBA-level and / or relevant senior management experience within a legal or comparable professional services environment.

• Financially literate and familiar with budget management.
• Track record in delivering effective operational solutions in international, complex and matrix-management environments (preferably partnerships).
• Experience of managing change projects and programmes.
• High levels of personal discretion, business ethics and integrity.
• A dynamic and proactive self-starter with strong inter-personal and communications skills and client service focus.
• Ability to influence a diverse group of global stakeholders, whilst managing the demands and pressures of the day job.
• Comfortable operating in sometimes ambiguous situations, demonstrating a flexible and collaborative personal working style.
• Internationally focused and inquisitive.
• Innovative, with an ability to challenge the status quo sensitively and courageously.

About us

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers and business service professionals located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Our global reach ensures that we can help businesses with their legal needs anywhere in the world. We strive to be the leading global business law firm by delivering quality, service excellence and value to our clients and offering practical and innovative legal solutions to help them succeed. Our clients range from multinational, Global 1000, and Fortune 500 enterprises to emerging companies developing industry-leading technologies, as well as government and public sector bodies.

Our values

In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by these values:

• Be Supportive – we are compassionate and inclusive, valuing diversity and acting thoughtfully

• Be Collaborative - we are proactive, passionate team players investing in our relationships

• Be Bold - we are fearless and inquisitive, challenging ourselves to think big and find creative new solutions

• Be Exceptional - we are strategic and driven, exceeding standards and expectations

Diversity and inclusion

At DLA Piper, diversity and inclusion underpins how we live our values and everything we do. We believe that everyone has a voice, and that everyone’s voice counts. We know that the rich diversity across our firm makes us stronger, more innovative and creative, which helps us to better serve our clients and communities. We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment and culture across our global firm, where everyone can bring their authentic self to work.

Diversity of perspective, thought, background and culture combine to make us the leading global law firm; that’s why we actively seek to build balanced teams. We welcome the unique contribution that you will bring to our firm and actively encourage applications from all talented people – however your talent is packaged, whatever your background or circumstance and regardless of how you identify.

Hybrid working

We recognise that people have responsibilities and interests outside of their career and that as a business, we all benefit from working flexibly. That's why we are open to discussing with candidates the different ways in which we are able to support requests for agile working arrangements.