Managing Director, Billing & Collections - Goodwin

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross-functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do.

Here, we’re not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.

This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward-thinking peers.

The Managing Director of Billing and Collections will lead all aspects of the Firm’s client invoicing, electronic billing, and cash collections globally and ensure timely and accurate billing and collections for the firm. The MD will develop and implement strategic departmental initiatives, including transformational initiatives to modernize and streamline billing and collections systems and processes. The MD will develop collection strategies to improve firm collections. Other core requirements will include commitment to excellence as demonstrated through customer care, workforce planning and recruitment, and continuous staff development through coaching and training. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in managing and improving billing and collections processes and will have experience in leading large, global teams.

What You Will Do:

• Manage a global team of 90+ billers and collectors. Allocate and monitor work assignments to ensure timely and accurate billing and collections. Oversee and facilitate the annual review process for the department.
• Oversee department managers in leading their teams to develop and document best practices to support collections, billing and electronic billing for the firm.
• Lead regular departmental meetings to share relevant firmwide updates, monitor billing and collections issues and concerns, and assist in directing the department to achieve departmental and firm initiatives and goals.
• Continuously evaluate billing and collections best practices and efficient utilization of existing technology or adoption of new technology, in order to strategically maximize Firm billing and collection results and help drive a reduction in billing and payment cycles.
• Actively monitor trust accounts. Partner with other teams, including Treasury, in processing trust and cash receipt application. Interact with billing attorneys and secretaries regarding all aspects of billing and collection services and procedures, including following up with partners regarding aged work-in-progress and aged receivables, and escalating issues to Firm Management, Department Chairs or Business Unit Leaders when necessary.
• Encourage billing attorneys to establish monthly billing procedures and practices. Work closely with billing attorneys in achieving billing and collection Firm goals, including improving the quality of inventory through the quarterly inventory cleanup process.
• Manage month-end close procedures relating to billing and ensure all monthly billing and collection related reports are distributed timely and accurately to the relevant stakeholders.
• Manage quarterly and annual billing and collection initiatives and goals, such as inventory cleanup, MBA forecasting, establishment of quarterly collection targets, etc.
• Oversee departmental coordination of daily and month-end processes and reporting relating to Firm billing and cash postings, prebill distributions, quarterly collection pushes, aged work-in-progress and receivable clean-up, write-down and write-off approval processes, and fiscal year-end forecasting.
• Respond in a timely manner to a high volume of Management, Partner, and client requests relating to billing/collection inquiries and reporting.
• Reconcile client accounts as needed and provide analyses when necessary.
• Additional responsibilities and assignments as they are identified and to assist with various ad hoc projects and Firm financial needs.

Who You Are:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Business Administration, or equivalent.
• 12-15 years of related experience in a professional service organization.
• Advanced knowledge of billing and collections systems such as Aderant Expert, ARCS 2G, eBillingHub and/or various electronic billing platforms a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal and team building skills with the ability to establish rapport and effectively work with colleagues of all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively and professionally manage internal client relationships with an emphasis on producing results in a client focused/service orientated manner.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills; the ability to interact diplomatically with partners, senior management, peers and professional staff; communicating with impact to clearly convey context, insight, and influence decisions.
• Outstanding organizational skills and a demonstrated ability of maintaining and producing high quality work product with minimal oversight.
• Ability to take initiative, making constructive recommendations on how the department can deliver high levels of service while juggling multiple priorities.
• Displays strong executive presence, with the ability to convey leadership, appropriate messaging tone and content at the highest levels of the firm.
• Ability to provide actionable insights to senior leadership, make recommendations and help support optimal business decision making.
• Ability to personally handle more complex issues/duties requiring independent exercise of discretion and judgment.
• Strong people leader, with the ability to inspire others and act as a role model for the department. Prior experience leading a large, globally dispersed team.
• Manage multiple assignments simultaneously and work in high stress situations.
• Must thrive in a rapid-paced and dynamic business environment with a willingness to travel as necessary.
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in spreadsheet software applications.

Benefits and More

At Goodwin, you will discover your next career opportunity with a rewarding compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work schedule
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement & Savings Plan
• Emergency back-up child and adult care
• Paid vacation, sick time off, and holidays
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities
• Employee recognition and reward programs
• Employee wellness and assistance programs
• Employee discounts and perks

Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status.