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Head of Financial Planning & Analysis
New York, NY
Job Description
A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with 47 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.
We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.
Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimize your wellbeing.
What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.
Department purpose
Achieving the firm's vision requires a world class Finance department and our teams add value when the information we produce enables great decisions. That means producing information that is relevant, accurate and understandable and doing so as quickly as possible. It also means building relationships with the Partners and other decision-makers in the firm so that they trust us to advise them on what the information means and what the best course of action is.
Role purpose
This is a new role will report to the US CFO and will be responsible for:
Key relationships
Practice Performance Management
Partner Performance Management
Reporting, resourcing, and project management
Stakeholder Management
Key requirements
We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.
Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimize your wellbeing.
What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.
Department purpose
Achieving the firm's vision requires a world class Finance department and our teams add value when the information we produce enables great decisions. That means producing information that is relevant, accurate and understandable and doing so as quickly as possible. It also means building relationships with the Partners and other decision-makers in the firm so that they trust us to advise them on what the information means and what the best course of action is.
Role purpose
This is a new role will report to the US CFO and will be responsible for:
- Managing the three-year investment planning cycle for all US offices and updating practice group forecasts on an ongoing basis.
- Monitoring and reporting progress against targets at US, practice group and fee earning department levels and drafting short commentaries.
- Reviewing financial projections for lateral partners and other investments and involved in a range of projects that are designed to improve the efficiency and agility of the firm.
- Developing relationships with senior finance staff to improve efficiencies, financial analysis models and processes.
Key relationships
- US CFO
- US Senior Pricing and Commercial Manger and US Finance Practice Managers and US Financial Controller
- US partners and US Human Resources teams
- Advanced Delivery team managers (Peerpoint, LSC, etc.)
Practice Performance Management
- Managing the three-year investment planning cycle for all US offices and updating practice group forecasts on an ongoing basis as circumstances change including headcount movements, productivity levels, and recoveries etc.
- Reviewing the annual income, headcount, and equity budgets across all US practice groups and ensuring buy in from the practices and management. Monitoring and reporting progress against targets at US, practice group and fee earning department levels and reviewing targeted monthly commentaries on results.
- Providing (i) timely accurate and relevant financial information for decision-making, (ii) profitability forecasting based on multiple levers/potential outcomes, (iii) influencing or offering advice to optimize the desired outcome.
- Review financial analysis to support the lateral hiring process taking a macro-economic view of proposals by considering peer group data trends, external market data, and economic indicators within our regional footprint.
- Proactively look for ways to improve the US contribution margin and improve overall practice performance.
Partner Performance Management
- Management of the US annual partner compensation process including setting the US timetable, reviewing supporting documentation prepared by team members and working with practice heads and management to complete and sign off.
- Reviewing partner performance on an ongoing basis and escalating as necessary.
- Ensure team members have a detailed understanding of individual partners and departmental practices and their clients.
- Providing training and mentoring on to partners and internal candidates in the partnership selection process to improve their financial nous and performance.
Reporting, resourcing, and project management
- Influence resource management through presentation of information that is timely and informative to senior stakeholders and understanding the financial implications of the resourcing decisions made.
- Championing the use of alternative resources including utilizing support at other offices or our Advance Delivery & Solutions offerings such as the Legal Services Centre, Peerpoint, the PMO and Legal Technology
- Delivery, design, and preparation of financial presentations and one-off financial analyses as required to support the CFO and firm management.
Stakeholder Management
- Develop close relationships with the Finance Operations and Pricing and Commercial teams and provide backup analysis support as needed.
- Develop close relationships with individual partners and those in management roles to ensure that the Finance Team are in the best position to influence commercial outcomes and add value.
- Continuously strive to refine and improve financial analysis models and processes, incorporating feedback from internal customers
- Provide financial support for internal and external client meetings, determine the nature of the meeting, and provide succinct financial reports to facilitate discussions and pre-empt queries by applying knowledge from prior engagements to identify and mitigate potential risks.
- Respond with empathy and understanding to enhance relationships and actively manage expectations and escalate issues where necessary.
- Be resilient to deal with challenges from people in the business, with good interpersonal and strong influencing skills.
Key requirements
- At least 15 years' experience in a management and/or operational role in a leading company/firm. Experience of a partnership environment and working in a matrix organization is advantageous.
- A very credible individual with gravitas, resilience and high level of intellectual ability who can develop effective working relationships with the ability to credibly influence at all levels, be fast thinking, collaborative and proactive.
- Must be a proactive self-starter with drive, enthusiasm, and tenacity, possessing excellent communication skills both written and verbal to clearly explain complex issues both to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
- Resilient and enthusiastic individual who is comfortable working with and challenging senior stakeholders to get the right results
- Comfortable in a world of ambiguous decision making and consultation, with influencing skills and confidence to advise and consider critical success factors
- Excellent project management and organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage high and varied workloads.
- Advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills with experience working with large volumes of data in Excel and being able to manipulate this to enable effective decision making and influencing.
- Some travel may be required.
Job Summary
Company
Start Date
As soon as possible
Employment Term and Type
Regular, Full Time
Required Experience
15+ years
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