Practice Manager

Build your big career with the firm that does Big Law, Better
. McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm that brings together more than 1,700+ lawyers and 1,400 business professionals. We celebrate excellence, collaboration, and community and have been recognized as a top workplace by USA Today, Fortune, The American Lawyer, Vault and others. We are also certified by Great Place to Work.

At McDermott, we don’t just invest in your future, we accelerate your career – wherever it may lead. That includes supporting you both in and outside of the office.

• A firm where everyone belongs:
  Our award-winning culture prioritizes warmth and authenticity — we encourage you to be yourself!
• Enthusiasm for all perspectives:
  We’re smarter and stronger when everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. We welcome unique viewpoints and ideas, and we make opportunities for you and your career to thrive.
• Support to feel your best and do your best:
  Wellness is integral to building a successful career and a rich life. That’s why our benefits program supports your physical, emotional, mental, and financial health, with an emphasis on work-life balance.
• Real rewards for real work:
  We offer generous compensation packages that recognize hard work and excellence.

The Practice Manager is responsible for the delivery and project management of substantive practice development initiatives as directed by the Practice Group Directors. This position supports the smooth running of multiple practice groups both operationally and organizationally. The Practice Manager relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

• Drive organization and execution across practice groups to ensure priorities, timelines and deliverables remain on track
• Support implementation of practice group strategic priorities by working closely with practice leadership to define goals and monitor progress
• Support day-to-day operations of the practice groups, under the direction of the Practice Group Director
• Project manage the delivery of substantive practice development initiatives and projects as directed by practice leadership
• Coordinate associate onboarding, integration and offboarding, assist integration efforts as needed with other positions
• Manage and communicate lateral recruiting pipeline across practice leadership
• Support at a high level the operational aspects of running the practice group including drafting leadership communications, assisting the organization and planning of internal and external practice meetings and aiding with promotion, compensation and evaluation processes
• Track census file changes and ensure that these changes flow to other practice group reporting
• Partner with Finance & Accounting to review and analyze key financial metrics including capacity and profitability
• Analyze targeted financial reports to identify and explain specific trends and anomalies, including but not limited to advising on aspects related to billing and matter management
• Support reporting and analysis of timekeeper capacity and utilization based on practice group needs
• Serve as a liaison between practice groups and administrative departments (Business Development and Marketing, HR, Professional Development, Accounting and Finance) to ensure operational excellence, efficiencies and effective use of resources toward meeting strategic objectives
• Foster cross-platform communication and idea exchange particularly with similar practice support and operational roles across the firm
• Identify and implement technology solutions, including AI tools and workflow automation, to improve operational efficiency, reporting, communication, and project execution across the PGD team

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required
• At least 5-7 years experience in a professional service environment
• Strong project management and critical thinking skills
• Ability to work well with all levels of management
• Reliable and flexible with a high degree of initiative
• Ability to work independently, set work goals and objectives
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, including…