Office Operations Manager: D.C. + Northern Virginia

Washington, DC

An Am Law 50 law firm with offices worldwide, has an opening for an Office Operations Manager within their Office Operations Department in their Washington, DC office.

Summary

The Office Operations Manager works closely with the Directors of Administration in our Washington, DC and Northern Virginia offices and is responsible for overall office operations for both offices.  Partnering with the Directors of Administration, the Office Operations Manager leads, plans and coordinates projects related to operational improvements, best practices and overall office maintenance, including building services and  office services (repairs and preventive maintenance, security access systems, safety and ergonomics programs, construction, emergency procedures, off-site trial team support, purchasing and supplies, outside vendors, and landlord/building relationship). 

The Manager manages and develops Facilities and Office Services employees including Reception and Conference Center staff and is responsible for service lines provided by outsourcing provider (hospitality, backup reception, mail/copy, facilities, and administrative support to Firmwide CLE coordinator).  S/he provides assistance to the Directors of Administration and Office Managing Partners with the planning and coordination of complex projects related to operational and administrative activities, proactively ensures that facilities and systems needs such as HVAC, electrical, appliances, furniture, equipment, security access and monitoring systems, fire suppression apparatus and related processes are of high quality and in working order.  The Office Operations Manager is responsible for overall relationships with internal clients and external facilities-related vendors and suppliers to ensure seamless delivery of goods and services with limited disruption. S/he manages subtenant relations and subleases.  Manages talent development and performance evaluations of staff with vision toward evolving needs.  

Ideal Candidate       

Education and Experience

• Five or more years’ experience supervising a full service internal client service facility.  Previous law firm or professional services firm experience highly desirable; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience in managing vendors and in negotiating vendor contracts; experience in using project management skills with contractors, vendors and supplier services.
• Extensive knowledge of facilities maintenance and custodial principles, procedures and standards; knowledge of uniform building codes, fire codes, ADA and OSHA preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of life safety systems; experience in supervising and performing safety training for all personnel.

Teamwork and Applied Skills

• Exceptional team management and leadership skills, ability to lead through influence and in building relationships across boundaries.  High degree of emotional intelligence.
• Ability to lead through a team of supervisors; manage by objective, effectively delegate, and motivate top performance.
• Strong business acumen; ability to forecast business needs, and to create effective solutions for multiple constituencies.
• Highly skilled in leading through change; expertise in change management and in inspiring forward thinking.
• Excellent communications skills; ability to communicate easily and credibly with all levels in an organization; comfort in adapting communication styles and messages to meet specific needs and viewpoints.
• Advanced analytical and information gathering skills; ability to evaluate and prioritize extensive, detailed data.
• Innovative thinking; ability to create solutions and to achieve buy-in and results with sometimes incomplete, ambiguous, or sensitive information or where a precedent may not exist.
• High client service ethic and a proven record in delivering exemplary client satisfaction to external and internal client constituencies. Ability to achieve consensus and project results with sometimes incomplete, ambiguous, or sensitive information.