COO - Law Firm
Allora · Charleston · $120,000–$150,000 (stated in the posting)
Our client, Brinkley Law Firm, is hiring for the Director of Firm Administration (COO, CFO, or equivalent). Brinkley Law Firm is a Charleston-based law firm specializing in assisted reproduction, adoption, and family law matters, including divorce and custody. Recognized nationally and internationally for its work in fertility law, the firm regularly contributes to industry education, legal scholarship, and professional organizations.
As the firm continues to grow, they are seeking a highly capable operations and business leader who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. This individual will serve as the owner's trusted partner, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the practice while balancing financial management, administrative oversight, and strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate is comfortable wearing many hats, enjoys building efficient processes, making sound business decisions, and ensuring the firm operates effectively across all functions. They are looking for someone who takes ownership, anticipates challenges, and can confidently manage both the operational and financial health of the practice, allowing the owner to remain focused on serving clients and growing the business.
The Opportunity
Brinkley Law Firm is seeking a Director of Firm Administration to serve as the firm's senior administrative and human resources leader. Reporting directly to the Firm Owner, this role is responsible for overseeing the systems, processes, relationships, and resources that support the firm's daily operations.
The Director of Firm Administration acts as a central point of coordination during both routine operations and unexpected challenges. Whether addressing employee concerns, managing vendor relationships, coordinating technology solutions, overseeing recruiting efforts, or resolving operational disruptions, this individual helps ensure that issues are identified, addressed, and resolved efficiently.
The successful candidate will be a practical problem-solver with strong judgment, exceptional interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm and effective when navigating competing priorities and unexpected situations.
Key Responsibilities
Human Resources & Employee Relations
- Lead recruiting efforts, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, and onboarding new employees.
- Assess staffing trends, recruiting needs, and workforce capacity and provide recommendations to firm leadership regarding hiring priorities and organizational needs.
- Maintain personnel records and employment documentation.
- Administer employee benefits and coordinate payroll processing.
- Evaluate employee benefits offerings and provide recommendations that support recruitment, retention, and employee satisfaction.
- Ensure compliance with employment laws, firm policies, and HR best practices.
- Serve as a trusted resource for employees regarding workplace concerns, policy questions, and employee relations matters.
- Conduct workplace investigations and assist with disciplinary processes when necessary.
- Coordinate performance review processes and support department leaders in performance management activities.
- Monitor employee engagement and support initiatives that strengthen morale, retention, and workplace culture.
- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve onboarding and training resources to support successful integration and development of team members.
Administrative Operations
- Manage relationships with vendors, service providers, and operational partners.
- Oversee office facilities, equipment, and administrative resources.
- Coordinate technology vendors and assist with technology-related projects and issue resolution.
- Maintain administrative policies, procedures, and documentation.
- Maintain and organize firm policies, procedures, operational documentation, and training resources to promote consistency, compliance, and knowledge transfer.
- Review and update employee handbook, workplace policies, and emergency preparedness documentation on a regular basis.
- Assess facilities, technology, and administrative resource needs and provide recommendations to firm leadership that support operational effectiveness and organizational growth.
- Monitor operational needs and identify opportunities for increased efficiency and effectiveness.
- Support implementation of administrative improvements and operational best practices.
Organizational Support & Coordination
- Track and report operational metrics and key performance indicators.
- Assist the Firm Owner with special projects and strategic initiatives.
- Coordinate cross-functional administrative efforts and follow-up on action items.
- Maintain visibility into operational challenges and emerging risks.
- Escalate concerns, trends, and unresolved issues to firm leadership as appropriate.
- Support continuity of operations during periods when the Firm Owner is unavailable.
Problem Solving & Triage
- Assess and coordinate responses to operational disruptions, employee concerns, technology issues, vendor problems, and other business challenges.
- Serve as a resource for identifying practical solutions to organizational issues.
- Facilitate communication among stakeholders to ensure timely resolution of problems.
- Help ensure that issues are addressed before they negatively impact clients, staff, or firm operations.
Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to:
- Build strong working relationships across the organization.
- Recruit and retain high-quality team members.
- Address issues proactively before they become larger problems.
- Maintain effective administrative systems and processes.
- Support a positive and professional workplace culture.
- Coordinate resources and people effectively during periods of change, growth, or disruption.
- Serve as a trusted advisor and problem-solver for the Firm Owner and team.
This position reports directly to the Firm Owner. The position currently has no direct reports but may assume supervisory responsibility for administrative personnel as organizational needs evolve.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in business, management, human resources, or a related field and six (6) or more years of progressively responsible experience in business administration, human resources, office management, operations management, or a related leadership role; OR ten (10) or more years of directly relevant professional experience demonstrating success in business administration, human resources, office management, operations management, or organizational leadership.
- Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in business administration, office management, human resources, operations management, or a related leadership role.
- At least three (3) years of experience with direct responsibility for recruiting, employee relations, and administrative operations.
- Demonstrated success leading full-cycle recruiting efforts, including sourcing candidates, conducting interviews, evaluating applicants, making hiring recommendations, coordinating offers, and onboarding new team members.
- Experience hiring across multiple positions, departments, or functional areas, including professional, administrative, and client-service roles.
- Proven ability to assess talent, make sound hiring recommendations, and support workforce growth, restructuring, or succession planning efforts.
- Experience managing sensitive employee relations matters, conducting workplace investigations, and participating in disciplinary processes while maintaining confidentiality and sound judgment.
- Experience managing vendor relationships, negotiating service agreements, or overseeing operational service providers.
- Demonstrated ability to independently assess business problems, identify root causes, and coordinate practical solutions involving multiple stakeholders.
- Experience supporting organizations with at least 10 employees and coordinating activities across multiple functional areas.
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate competing priorities and challenging situations professionally.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and build trust across all levels of an organization.
Preferred
- Seven (7) or more years of experience in business administration, operations, human resources, office management, or a related field.
- Experience serving as the primary administrator, business manager, office manager, operations manager, HR manager, or similar leadership role within a growing organization.
- Experience supporting a professional services organization such as a law firm, accounting firm, consulting practice, healthcare practice, or similar client-service business.
- Experience advising owners, executives, or senior leaders on personnel, operational, or organizational matters.
- Familiarity with payroll administration, employee benefits, employment law compliance, and HR best practices.
Benefits
- Flexible Friday Schedule for improved work-life balance.
- Mission-driven work with a collaborative and supportive team.
- Quarterly performance-based bonus opportunities.
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
- 15 PTO Days.
- 9 paid holidays.
- Professional development opportunities.
- SIMPLE IRA with 3% employer match immediately vested.
- Meaningful opportunities to contribute to the continued growth and success of the firm.
Brinkley Law Firm, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
To be considered, please submit a resume and cover letter.
Compensation range is $120,000 - $150,000 (this includes base and bonus opportunities).