Careers

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Works with the Executive Committee, shareholders and directors to establish short-term objectives and long-range goals, and related plans and policies.
• Thinks strategically and identifies topics, issues, and areas that should be addressed/considered by the Executive Committee that will improve client service, delivery of client services, profitability, stability, and growth.
• Makes long range planning recommendations to the Executive Committee.
• Serves as the assistant secretary for the Firm, taking minutes at all meetings of the Executive Committee, Shareholders and Directors.
• Serves as the assistant treasurer to the corporation.
• Serves on internal committees as assigned by the Executive Committee, which may include Finance and Technology
• Presents regular reports on the status of the Firm’s operations to the Shareholders and to Firm staff.
• Oversees the Firm’s financial structure, ensuring adequate and sound funding for the financial goals of the Firm, and manages the Firm’s relationships with lenders and financial institutions.
• Reviews the financial results of all operations, comparing them with the Firm’s objectives and taking appropriate measures to correct unsatisfactory performance and results.
• Makes recommendations on the distribution and use of the profitability information, including consideration on how to use the profitability data for intake and compensation decisions and utilizing the data in determining staffing models for matters.
• Prepares the annual Firm budget, in coordination with other stakeholders.
• Ensures the Firm’s compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and standards.
• Works with firm management and other firms regarding actions such as mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures.
• In consultation with firm experts, negotiates and maintains all leaseholds on offices and equipment, ensuring current office space meets both the economic goals of the Firm and necessary efficiencies for the office layout, ergonomics and the changes in the practice of law.
• Prepares and ensures taxes are timely and accurately paid.
• Meets all deadlines as directed by Executive Committee.
• Brings to the attention of the Executive Committee matters that need to be addressed by the Executive Committee to allow for a reasonable amount of time under the circumstances for analysis and decision-making.
• Other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Chairperson or Executive Committee, or as otherwise needed to benefit the mission of the Firm.

Related Activities include:

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Provides effective leadership to the Director level employees, including the usual duties and responsibilities of a manager—selection, coaching, and termination; managing team and individual performance (ongoing and annual); training and development; compensation; addressing complaints and resolving problems; departmental budgeting; scheduling; etc. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the policies of the Firm and applicable laws.   
• Oversees the ongoing operations of all departments and committees in the Firm.
• Manages and directs the Firm toward its primary goals and objectives.
• Promotes communication and cooperation among departments and all employees to create a spirit of unity in the Firm.

Additional Job Responsibilities:

• This position also initiates or is directed by the Executive Committee and/or Chairperson to perform additional duties or tasks to support the Firm’s overall objectives.
• Operates within the confines of Bylaws and Firm Policy and ensures others are doing likewise.
• This position will be located on-site in our Des Moines, Iowa, office.

Minimum Qualifications:  Education

Required:

• Minimum 10 years of extensive administrative and senior leadership experience.
• Advanced knowledge of fiscal planning, reporting, and budgeting.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration or related field.

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration

Minimum Qualifications:  Expertise, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent managerial and financial skills and the ability to take leadership over any business operations area.
• Superlative communication skills, particularly the ability to communicate as a leader.
• Thorough understanding of management and financial practices in all areas and phases of business operations in a professional services firm.
• Organization/planning skills, ability to work with others and to encourage, motivate and inspire groups and individuals.
• Flexibility in adjusting to changing circumstances, information, employee, and client needs.
• Demonstrates a willingness to take initiative. Works independently with little or no supervision. 
• Reliable, responsible and dependable in fulfilling obligations. High level of integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Develops and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships with the public and other external sources.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret data, legal documents, or other regulations. Ability to prepare reports, general correspondence, and lists. Ability to read, write and effectively communicate in English.
• Ability to organize, plan and prioritize work. Utilizes problem solving skills, analytical thinking in gathering and analyzing data.  Ability to work under pressure, time constraints and deadlines.

Mental and Physical Demands

• Position involves sitting, standing, driving between offices, carrying supplies and other routine inside office duties.
• The physical and mental demands of this position are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.  The Firm reserves the right to review each requested accommodation and determine if such poses an undue hardship.

Behavioral Expectations

• Represents the Firm positively, professionally, courteously and effectively.
• Assists or takes on new tasks to help the Firm achieve its missions, including taking the initiative to investigate and propose new operational strategies.
• Integrates the Firm’s organizational strategies by building positive internal and external relationships.
• Shows sensitivity and respect for the cultural and ethnic diversity of staff, attorneys and clients.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding personnel and organizational information.
• Follows all rules and procedures outlined for employees of the Firm; leads by example.
• Active role in professional and local organizations to enhance skills and contribute to local causes.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The Firm will make reasonable accommodations necessary for the employee to perform the essential functions of the position, so long as the accommodation does not impose an undue burden on the Firm.