Deputy Divisional Operating Officer (Private Client & Tax) New York, New Haven, or Greenwich

Overview

The Deputy Divisional Operating Officer (Deputy DOO) will play a pivotal role in the inception, project management and execution of both strategic and operational activities within the Private Client and Tax (PCT) division. The role will report to the Divisional Operating Officer (DOO) based in London and the Divisional CEO based in New Haven, Connecticut and will play a key role in facilitating the global management activities of the division.  This person will be part of the PCT Global Management team consisting of the DCEO, the DOO, the 5 Regional Divisional Leaders (RDLs) - 2 based in the US, 2 in Europe and 1 in APAC and the Divisional Finance Officer.

The Deputy DOO will also work with the business services leads for Marketing, Finance and Human Resources, and members of the other business services departments as needed to ensure the quality and responsiveness of support services provided to the division.  The Deputy DOO will also work with the Divisional Operating Officers for the firm's other two divisions (Business and Dispute Resolution) to share knowledge and work together on firmwide projects and initiatives.  This person will need to be flexible with their working hours to accommodate working with the management team around the world.

The successful candidate will be highly organized with a proven track record of managing projects and progressing actions, perhaps in a practice manager role.  They will have excellent verbal and written communication and high levels of attention to detail.  If they do not come from a law firm or professional services environment, they must possess the gravitas, communication skills and diplomatic acumen to apply to a partnership environment and be able to work with colleagues around the world.  This role may require some travel nationally and/or internationally when business needs dictate.

The Private Client & Tax Team

Our global private client & tax team is the largest private client legal practice in the world with around 300 fee earners, in 16 of our 18 offices and revenues near $150m.  The practice provides sophisticated legal advice to the world’s most successful people -- from aristocracy to first, second and third generation entrepreneurs, industrialists, senior executives, celebrities, artists, philanthropists and other prominent figures.  Private client work is at the heart of what we do as a firm, and is the firm's largest division, with revenues accounting for roughly 43% of the firm's total revenues.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Attend weekly regional management meetings with the DOO, DCEO and RDLs, take responsibility for agendas, schedule follow up and ensure tasks are completed.
• Work with the RDLs to create agendas for the regional partners meetings in the US, APAC and Europe, creating slide decks, coordinating speakers and updates from support teams.
• Write the monthly Global Senior Management Report detailing activities within the division pertinent to senior leaders of support functions and other divisions.
• Assist with the divisional recruitment goals which are driven by the PCT management team.  Attend briefing calls for lateral partner candidates, produce first draft of lateral hiring papers and ensure good communication between the business and the recruitment teams including clarifying associate vacancies.
• Assist with content creation and facilitation of away days or team retreats as and when scheduled.
• Project manage Think Tanks, new initiatives and working groups.
• Draft engaging communications for the division.  Devise appropriate divisional messaging on strategy by presentations and written communications.
• Accomplish results through tight project management; working out next steps, engaging others to deliver and meet deadlines.
• Track progress of the global Division's initiatives and projects, and when appropriate, lead projects on behalf of the Division.
• Work with the Divisional Finance Officer to ensure effective financial hygiene, pricing and cost control within the Division.
• Working with all members of PCT management, identify opportunities and design/implement solutions for improvement to our financial performance, ways of working and client service (either through financial analysis, observational or solicited feedback etc.).

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Key skills and experience

• Organizational skills/results orientation: the successful candidate has a track record of managing multiple work streams simultaneously and has the ability to work effectively under pressure.  This person must be able to see a plan through to implementation.
• Excellent project management skills: this person has demonstrable experience creating and implementing short, medium, and long term action plans to help achieve business objectives.
• Strong financial analytical skills.
• Problem solving, judgment and decision making: this person has demonstrated an ability to apply new ideas, processes or working methods to enhance performance and match or exceed business requirements. They will exhibit a flexible approach to problem solving.
• Cross-functional relationship building: the successful candidate has the ability to gain consensus and establish credible relationships at all levels.
• Communication skills: the successful candidate will demonstrate sophisticated communication skills with good written, listening, presentation and influencing skills. They will need to engage with partners, peers, or others throughout the firm, and building relations internationally. The individual needs to be sensitive to the need for inclusion of decision makers and partners but also the need for confidentiality.

The Essentials  

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Annual base compensation range $90,000 to $125,000

About Withersworldwide

Law.com International's Law Firm of the Year 2021

For 125 years, our firm has focused on and helped successful people, families, entrepreneurs, family businesses, governments and institutions negotiate the wide range of legal issues they face in their business and personal lives. Over time, we have gained valuable insights into the ways wealth can be generated, preserved, deployed and enhanced. We assist our clients in a variety of industry sectors including real estate, manufacturing, motorsport, luxury brands, sport, hotels and hospitality, technology, energy, art and cultural assets, life sciences, charities and philanthropy and financial services. With 18 offices our experience means we can see the global picture. We provide legal advice across a range of different practice areas including estate planning, personal and corporate tax and, corporate, banking and finance, access to capital (both private and public) both equity and debt, real estate, intellectual property, immigration, international trust structuring, philanthropy, luxury assets, international probate, public international law and international arbitration. 

COVID – 19 Vaccination Policy

Withers Bergman LLP requires all new hires to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  Reasonable accommodation(s) based on medical or religious grounds will be provided to qualified candidates.  Candidates will be required to verify their vaccination status only after a conditional offer of employment is made.  Applicants should not provide information about their vaccination status or need for accommodation prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

Withers Bergman LLP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  Equal employment opportunity has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the firm. Employment at the firm is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  The firm prohibits and will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these classifications or characteristics.

If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website to apply for a position, please contact the firm at 203 789 1320 or email us.recruiting@withersworldwide.com with your request.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.

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