Demo

Associate Director, Business Management – Employment and Compensation

Baker McKenzie
Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 6/15/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/5/2026

The Associate Director, Business Management – Employment and Compensation will lead and coordinate business operations for the Employment and Compensation Practice Group within the Americas with the aim of driving and enhancing practice performance in line with the global practice strategy and the overall strategy of the Firm.  


Main responsibilities:


  • Advise and support the Practice Group Leader on strategic, business, and operational matters across the Americas region
  • Develop, update and monitor the business plan of the practice and help set and manage the budget proactively to ensure effective implementation of the Firm strategy
  • Drive improvements in operational and financial performance by monitoring and analysing key performance indicators at practice and service line level, ensuring alignment with planned targets (including cost management, working capital, staffing, and margin contribution)
  • Collaborate and align with all Alliance E&C PGLs and BMs on cohesive Global E&C Plan and execution of such
  • Ensure cross-practice and cross-functional initiatives implementation at the Practice Group level and coordinate resources from other Business Professional functions supporting the same Practice Group to ensure proper coverage and effective strategy execution
  • Formulate and operationalize strategic initiatives leveraging our geographic, industry, and client reach, with a clear view to building market presence and generating revenue
  • Capture efficiency and innovation opportunities for the main service lines by leading and participating in initiatives, aligned within the global practice and with other Practice Groups
  • Ensure appropriate resourcing model, headcount planning, staffing, and talent pipeline (including training and performance management) leveraging support from, and in coordination with, other Business Professional functions
  • Coordinate interactions with Industry Groups making sure that go-to-market and service delivery is appropriate for clients in those sectors
  • Monitor and ensure effective implementation of client and business development plans leveraging support from other Business Professional functions
  • Coordinate internal Practice Group engagement activities and meetings fostering positive and open communication
  • Leverage services provided by shared service centres and specialist functions within the organization to drive excellence and efficiency
  • Lead and participate in projects for the practice


Skills and experience:


  • A relevant undergraduate degree required, an MBA is preferred
  • Good professional management experience in a global setting, ideally in a professional services environment
  • Proficient in law firm operations, legal accounting, and finance
  • Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint and advanced functions of Excel
  • An understanding of the elements of law firm profitability at practice group, service line, client, matter, and attorney level
  • Strong business sense and good judgment in problem-solving
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Effective communication at all organizational levels
  • Experience with business management, including an understanding of the challenges of operating in different markets regionally
  • Able to manage multiple complex operations with continual attention to detail (including accuracy with numbers)
  • Experience conducting complex qualitative and quantitative analysis, interpreting results, and suggesting action plans
  • Experience coordinating people in different locations and cultures
  • Able to work effectively in informal teams and collaborate cross-practice and cross-function in a global organization


Location: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington, or Toronto,

Reports to: North America Regional Operating Officer

Travel requirements: Regional travel is required to join in-person Practice Group meetings, Steering Committee meetings, some of the regional and annual meetings and other internal and external events related to the Practice Group as requested

Position type: Regional North America

Development framework: Associate Director

Salary.com Estimation for Associate Director, Business Management – Employment and Compensation in Chicago, IL
$185,547 to $240,735
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