Office Manager - Sidley Austin LLP

Sidley’s Houston Office is seeking a strong office manager that is able to work harmoniously with multiple levels of personnel to provide excellent resources and support to our lawyers, staff and clients while overseeing the day-to-day operations of the office.  The office manager works to provide functional and thoughtful leadership, ensures operational excellence, creates an inclusive and creative office culture and demonstrates an ability to support the multi-faceted needs of the lawyers, staff and office. 

In partnership with the Washington, D.C. Director of Administration (DOA), the Office Managing Partners (OMPs), and firmwide, regional and local management, the office manager has responsibility to supervise support staff covering office operations (recruitment, monitoring workflow, performance appraisals, staff development  and conflict resolution), life/safety procedures, office activities and social events, and has responsibility for  overseeing facilities functions (leasehold improvements, space planning, and coordination of internal and external moves).

The office manager should exhibit excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills and demonstrate an ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.    

• Firmwide Support.  Works to support firmwide needs on the local level by coordinating office staff and functions, including, but not limited to regional resource sharing, participation in departmental meetings, new hire training, and supporting local marketing, recruiting and diversity events.
• Facilities. Manages facilities functions (reception, catering, conference center, furnishings, maintenance/repairs, office services and maintaining supplies), communicates effectively with vendor resources, including but not limited to landlord/property manager/engineer in lease, sublease and building operations matters.
• Regional Management.  Works with regional and local management to maintain adequate staffing for secretarial, paralegal and project support, billing, IT, and local office staff.  Meets regularly with regional and local management to support and execute on the firm’s strategic objectives, maintaining and improving office morale, making recommendations to resolve problems, and ensuring high quality production of work.
• Supervisory.  Supervises non-legal operations staff, including recommendations for hiring, terminations, performance evaluations, performance counseling, work allocation and problem resolution.  Demonstrates the ability to develop personnel and promote excellence by providing training, team meetings and clear direction. Supervises daily functions of on-site outsourced personnel. Works collaboratively with regional and firmwide management to coordinate administrative functions and has an appropriate working knowledge of technology infrastructure and event planning.  Possesses leadership skills with the capacity to motivate and guide a team.
• Client relations. Foster positive client relationships by addressing inquiries, coordinating meetings, and ensuring exceptional client service standards are maintained.
• Finance and Accounting. Responsible for coordination of daily accounting functions, including but not limited to operational invoicing, reconciliation of catering and facilities billing, preparation and monitoring of budget for the Houston office and oversight of compliance with local time entry and billing deadlines.
• Miscellaneous.  Performs miscellaneous job duties as required and/or needed for support of the office, region, and firm.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below.  The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.  If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources). 

Education and/or Experience: 

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of relevant experience
• Minimum of 5 years’ leadership experience in office management in the legal, professional services or large enterprise context

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong understanding of operational and facilities practices and procedures
• Ability to effectively interpret, present and communicate information to all levels of the firm
• Ability to organize and analyze statistical data and prepare comprehensive reports for office leadership
• Experience in analyzing situations and bringing issues to successful resolution
• Ability to work under pressure, managing multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong business acumen and professional leadership skills
• Requires daily on site presence

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer