Director of Practice Management

Best Best & Krieger LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on delivering effective and client-service oriented solutions to complex legal issues facing public agencies, businesses and individuals across the U.S. BBK is proud to trace the firm's success back to the groundwork of professionalism and community service laid by its founders 135 years ago. Today, with nearly 250 attorneys in offices throughout California and in Oregon and Washington, D.C., we efficiently and meaningfully assist our clients with complex, multi-disciplinary issues and provide creative solutions.

At BBK, we place a high degree of value in creating and nurturing a work environment that attracts the best talent and reflects our commitment to culture, community and equal opportunity. We are proud of our workplace culture, where we respect and value our colleagues for their unique perspectives and experiences.

Position Summary:

This newly created role is a critical step toward building a structured, data-driven, and strategic approach to practice management. The Director of Practice Management (DPM) will serve as a key business partner and trusted advisor to the leaders of the firm’s three largest practice groups - Municipal Law, Environmental/Special Districts, and Business Services. The DPM will drive growth, improve efficiency, and support business development efforts.

Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), this individual will collaborate closely with Practice Group Leaders (PGLs), attorneys, and administrative teams (Marketing, Finance, Attorney Development, Recruiting, and IT) to enhance financial performance, business development, and operational efficiency. As the firm’s first practice management professional, this role will be instrumental in shaping the firm’s approach to practice management.

Key Responsibilities:

Practice Group Operations & Performance

• Support the daily execution of business needs/operations of the assigned practice groups, including establishing a consistent framework for practice group meetings and communications, managing the practice operations budget and ensuring progress on key initiatives.
• The DPM will act as an advisor and liaison on behalf of their practice groups, and work collaboratively with peers across the firm’s administrative departments (e.g., Marketing, Finance, IT, Attorney Development, Recruiting) to manage initiatives and support business operations and goals of the practice groups.
• Support tracking and reporting of practice-specific data, including marketing and business development metrics, attorney and practice experience data, client and matter insights, and financial performance. Works with relevant departments to ensure access to meaningful data.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance practice group operations and infrastructure.
• Ensure practice groups have access to firm resources, technology, and administrative support.
• Oversee the use and accuracy of Foundation (experience management tool) for the practice groups, supporting attorney engagement and data collection.

Strategic Planning & Business Development

• Collaborate with PGLs to develop and implement strategic plans for each practice group.
• Monitor progress on practice group initiatives, ensuring accountability and alignment with firm objectives.
• Provide practice-specific insights to Marketing on strategic initiatives, RFP and pitch responses, marketing collateral, events, and recognitions to ensure alignment of resources.
• Collaborate with Attorney Development to support succession planning, partnership pipeline and long-term talent development strategies within the practice groups.

Financial Performance & Reporting

• Partner with Finance to develop actionable reports on practice group performance, financial health, and efficiency.
• Analyze key financial data (e.g. hours, write-downs, collections) to identify significant patterns, outliers, or areas of concern. Summarize and highlight key takeaways for PGLs to ensure they have a clear understanding of trends and potential issues.
• Participate in formulation of Practice Group expense budgets and track expenditures.

Qualifications & Experience:

• College degree required; Master’s degree in Marketing or Business Administration or similar field, or JD preferred.
• 8+ years as a business professional in a professional services organization preferred; law firm experience or prior experience as a practicing attorney is a plus.
• Strong understanding of law firm financials, operations, and business development processes.
• Ability to compile, review, analyze and determine logical conclusions or recommendations based on data and information.
• Demonstrated ability to provide direction and guidance in business plan development efforts - at the individual, practice group and office levels.
• Proven ability to build trusted advisory relationships with attorneys and firm leadership.
• Exceptional project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent writing abilities, including superior grammar, spelling and proofreading skills are required.
• Demonstrated ability to use technology, database, presentation, spreadsheet, document management and other software applications.

Total compensation for this position with 8 or more years of experience is $180,000 - $220,000 annually, exempt. The actual salary within that range will depend on the selected candidate’s location and experience. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Best Best & Krieger is an equal opportunity employer.