Business Manager

At Haynes and Boone, our people are the driving force behind our success. Because we value the role every individual plays in how we deliver exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships and share in our success.

Haynes and Boone has been doing business in Houston for more than 30 years – consistently providing value to our clients in the local community, the U.S., and internationally. Our lawyers help major corporate clients grow and thrive in this energetic city, which has major connections to Latin America, Europe and Asia. Our Houston office focuses on energy, private equity, technology, real estate, intellectual property, environmental, business litigation, appeals, bankruptcy and restructuring, labor and employment, employee benefits and executive compensation, finance, tax, securities, mergers and acquisitions, and public and international law. We believe our people are the driving force behind our success in Houston. Because we value the role every individual plays in delivering exceptional legal services, we hire people who will contribute to our professional reputation, enhance client relationships. and share in our success. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that reflects our communities, and we seek highly motivated lawyers and staff who value our culture of respect and teamwork.

This exempt position provides support to the Director of Financial Operations. Additionally, the position serves as a dependable resource to the Department Administrative Partner(s), Section Leaders, and broader practice groups. This position works in close collaboration with accounting and other business services teams to support the success of various firmwide business objectives. The primary responsibilities of this position will include but are not limited to: (1) acting as a strategic advisor to firm leadership, (2) creating and implementing pricing strategies, fee estimates, and budgets, (3) developing and producing ad-hoc reporting, (4) educating and communicating best practices related to pricing and practice management firmwide, (5) collaborating with other business services departments, (6) monitoring and measuring key performance indicators, and (7) training and mentoring analysts who support the Business Managers.

• Lead, structure, and recommend Alternative Fee Arrangements (AFAs), rate proposals, budgets, and various pricing solutions for Requests for Proposals (RFPs).  Prepare written content to align the client’s needs with the firm’s offerings. 

• Participate in negotiations of pricing, contractual terms, and outside counsel guidelines.

• Prepare financial models for ad-hoc firm, practice group, client, and matter level analyses and reporting.

• Understand the firm and practice level financial drivers to optimize the strategic pricing and budgeting.

• Present, coach, and provide training materials firmwide to attorneys and business services.

• Provide data-driven decision support to the Director of Financial Operations, firm leadership, and partners.

• Monitor the implementation and evaluate progress of custom business solutions and pricing.

• Make recommendations for appropriate actions to improve department financial performance; based on review and analysis of financial data.

• Assume a lead role in developing and maintaining quality reporting and analytics, to support department performance objectives, with a focus on client and matter profitability.

• Provide leadership to ensure service excellence of the matter life cycle business process which includes business intake, monitoring client agreements, matter budgets, revenue cycle management, and matter closure.

• Participate in the annal rate setting process and provide thoughtful recommendations rooted in thorough research and competitive intelligence.

• Work collaboratively with other team members on special projects as assigned.

• Provides direct client support as assigned by the Director and firm leadership.

• Manage and oversee the analysts supporting the Business Managers by providing opportunities for training and mentorship.

Other Duties

Other special projects and related duties as needed or assigned.

Reporting Relationship

The Business Manager reports to the Director of Financial Operations and is assigned to support one or more Department Administrative Partner(s).  This position works closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Finance, Manager of Finance and various partners in leadership positions.  At times, the Business Manager may serve in leadership roles in cross department project teams and interact directly with the firm’s clients.

Subordinate staff:  none.

Qualifications
 

Knowledge/Experience

The Business Manager must have proficient knowledge in business processes, financial systems, and databases. The Business Manager should also have a solid understanding of the business functions within the professional services organization model. It is strongly preferred that the Business Manager possess at least two years of legal industry experience.
 

Skills

The Business Manager must have exceptional oral and written communication skills, as well as strong skills in specific tools the firm uses such as MS Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Word. In addition, strong skills with specialty tools within finance such as Power BI and SQL are a must The Business Manager should have the ability to effectively communicate and relate well with all levels of the organization.

Education

This position requires a bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, finance, or accounting.

Physical Demands

Must be able to move around the office up to 15% of the time to make copies, fax, file, etc. Remains stationary at least 85% of the time. This position operates computers and other office productivity machines (e.g., fax machine, copier, printer, etc.) on a regular basis. Occasionally required to move documents or files weighing up to 15 lbs. This position requires constant communication and exchange of information with the Firm attorneys, clients, and staff. This position must be able to inspect and observe information on a computer screen at least 80% of the time.

Working Conditions

Hybrid Office Environment