Practice Director - Financial Institutions Group

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Position Summary

Davis Polk is seeking a Practice Director for its Financial Institutions Group (“FIG”).  The Practice Director will work with FIG leadership and the broader FIG partnership in the development and execution of practice strategic initiatives. The Practice Director collaborates closely with other Business Services professionals across Business Development, Knowledge Management & Innovation, Finance & Accounting, Legal Recruiting, Professional Development, and other administrative functions to execute on practice strategic priorities. The Practice Director also supports the FIG partners with practice administration, including but not limited to practice coordination; practice presentations, communications, billing and reporting; and client onboarding and coverage. This role will report into FIG Practice Group Coordinators and the Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Typical responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategic Planning & Execution

─      Partner with FIG leadership and cross-functional teams to develop, implement, and monitor the practice’s business plan and strategic initiatives.

─      Help develop strategies for executing group goals; track and report on progress toward group goals; ensure accountability for action items and deadlines.

─      Coordinate with Finance & Accounting and Business Development to help ensure targeted financial performance, and to conduct market research and analysis in support of practice strategy and growth.

─      Manage special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of practice leadership, ensuring alignment and engagement across stakeholders.

Practice Operations & Administration

─      Assist FIG leadership in communications and planning with Firm leadership about group strategic plans and execution

─      Organize and support FIG partner and practice group meetings, including agenda preparation, meeting materials, and follow-up on action items.

─      Collaborate with Finance & Accounting to monitor practice group financial performance, prepare reports, and recommend actions to help optimize performance, address operational needs and opportunities, including matter coding.

─      Collaborate with Professional Development to monitor activity levels and utilization and recommend actions to address operational needs and opportunities.

─      Lead and coordinate internal communications for the FIG practice, including group announcements, intranet updates, and presentations.

─      Act as a liaison between the FIG and other firm departments to facilitate seamless collaboration and information sharing.

Business Development & Client Initiatives

─      Partner with Business Development to:

• Identify and pursue client opportunities, support preparation of pitches and RFPs, and maintain marketing materials.
• Coordinate client coverage activities and ensure effective tracking of meetings, follow-up, and relationship management.
• Support the planning and execution of client events, external presentations, and other visibility-building initiatives in partnership with relevant teams.

Recruiting & Lateral Integration

─      Coordinate with Legal Recruiting regarding entry-level and lateral hiring needs, including maintaining and reporting on leverage levels, recruiting goals, progress against those goals, reporting on challenges and market intelligence.

─      Collaborate with Professional Development regarding onboarding, integration and regular check-ins of entry-level and lateral attorneys into the group, including helping to prepare integration plans and facilitating connections within the group and across the Firm. 

Knowledge Management

─      Partner with Knowledge Management & Innovation (KM&I) to oversee development and maintenance of practice group templates, databases, other knowledge resources and technology (including AI use cases and tools).

─      Partner with KM&I and Professional Development to develop programs to address the practice-specific training needs of the group.

Qualifications & Position Requirements

─      Highly motivated, responsive and conscientious, with a commitment to delivering excellent client service and desire to be key part of a growing, successful business

─      Detail-oriented, organized and driven, with the ability to take ownership of projects and responsibilities effectively in a team-oriented environment

─      Ability to establish rapport and build relationships and credibility with internal stakeholders at every level of the organization

─      Ability to maintain professional composure in high- pressure situations and a fast-paced, multi-authority environment

─      Able to propose creative solutions to challenging problems

─      Strong time-management skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks quickly and efficiently

─      Ability to maintain utmost discretion of confidential information

─      Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

─      Availability during standard office hours and the ability to respond to email promptly outside of standard office hours and on weekends is essential

─      Familiarity with Excel and comfortable creating and presenting PowerPoint presentations expected

Education & Experience

─      Education: Bachelor’s degree required; JD or MBA preferred.

─      Experience: 7+ years' experience in a law firm or other professional services firm; practice management experience preferred.

Compensation

The expected base salary for this position ranges from $300,000 - $350,000. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, anticipated assignment, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. Davis Polk offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.