Senior Manager, Business Operations - Global Regulatory & IP

The Senior Manager, Business Operations – Global Regulatory & IP (GR& IP) reports to the firm’s Chief Operating Officer with oversight of the GR&IP Practice Group Leader (PGL) to provide strategic and operational support to the GR&IP Leadership Team. Works in close collaboration with the GR&IP Business Team Leads, including the Global Head of BD & Strategy, the Director of Strategic Finance, the Head of Talent, and administrative staff who also support the GR&IP Leadership Team.

The Senior Manager, Business Operations – GR&IP directly supports the GR&IP PGL, Deputy PGL, and GR&IP Leadership Team, and the broader GR&IP Business Team in executing leadership and operational initiatives across the nearly $1B global practice and 16 practice areas. This role serves a strategic operator and integrator who enables GR&IP Leadership to scale decision-making, execute priorities, and embed consistent best practices globally.

This role is critical for helping the GR&IP Leadership Team to develop, organize, and implement practice group business plans and facilitate progress on firmwide priority initiatives. Key responsibilities include organizing and managing GR&IP organizational communications, leadership meetings, project management of practice group business plan and related workstreams across firmwide initiatives, and proactive communication and problem-solving to help scale operational best practices. The role also includes collaboration and benchmarking with peers in other practices to support project management of cross-practice initiatives in alignment with GR&IP strategic goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGY & BUSINESS PLANNING

• Works with the GR&IP PGL, Deputy PGL, strategic project leads, and Head of BD & Strategy to monitor and communicate progress against business plan and tracking KPI’s in support of the practice group’s vision and strategy; spots issues, risks, and collaborates to ensure project goal is achieved.

• Identifies opportunities to spotlight progress and integrate project updates into GR&IP Leadership Team meetings, practice-wide communications, and Microsoft Teams channels or other forums.

• Lead on business plan workstreams related to operational performance of the GR&IP practice group (e.g., AI, LPM, report streamlining, improving capacity).

• Designing and managing the bi-annual in-person GR&IP Leadership Team meeting, working closely with the PGL and Deputy PGL, the Global Head of BD & Strategy and the broader GR&IP Business Team.

OPERATIONS CHANGE MANAGEMENT

• Takes initiative in supporting GR&IP PALs to identify needs, research possibilities, design, and implement more efficient ways of working, including the use of new technology, resources, or tools (e.g., workload and capacity monitoring processes and reports such as Smartsheet, AI and automation software, e-billing, and pricing resources).

• Develops, implements, and monitors specific strategic projects and recurring processes to achieve operational goals, promote innovation, and drive consistent best practices across GR&IP globally (e.g., HL Digitization).

• Collaborates with Business Teams across the globe to ensure that the GR&IP practice structure, leadership roles, and business priorities are considered in new processes or tools being rolled out.

• Works to break down silos, elevate practice operations efficiency issues, troubleshoot issues as needed, and take ownership to escalate situations requiring additional help or attention.

• Stays informed of best practices and emerging technologies in the law firm industry and proposes potential solutions for the practice.

GR&IP LEADERSHIP TEAM ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT

• Develops and manages the operational calendar for the GR&IP PG and Deputy PGL, GR&IP Leadership Team (PALs and strategic project leads (~35 partners), and GR&IP Business Team leads, working collaboratively to set agendas, organizing events, documenting calendars, facilitating meetings as needed, and tracking progress against agreed actions and priorities.

• Provides support to PGL and Deputy PGL, working with GR&IP Business Team leads, on prep, data analysis, organization of materials, proactive and ongoing tracking of open matters needed in advance of key meetings.

• Collaborates with GR&IP Business Team leads on high-priority global processes that involve PAL input and participation.

• Conducts orientation with new PALs, providing education on PAL responsibilities and expectations, coordinating with GR&IP business team leads.

• Maintains close connections with PALs to understand needs, propose solutions, highlight risks, and implement solutions in collaboration with the GR&IP Business Team and other firm teams.

• Works with PGL on approvals for M&BD budget, working with GR&IP Business Team and administrative support to monitor and distribute M&BD budget spend reports.

• Works with GR&IP Business Team leads on discrete assignments at the direction of the PGL or Deputy PGL to support leadership decision making.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Designs and implements practice-wide communication channels and tools, including monthly leadership and practice area meetings, Microsoft Teams channels, global Town Halls, global distribution lists, and annual calendar of global communication, working with GR&IP Business Team and administrative support.

• Proposes and develops leadership resources and materials, like organization charts or other practice references that promote awareness and communication within and outside of GR&IP; serves as a point of contact for other Business Teams regarding GR&IP leadership.

EXPERIENCE, ATTRIBUTES & SKILLS

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required

• Relevant legal qualification or MBA is preferred.

EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

• Eight (8) years minimum experience in a professional services environment required.

• Two (2) years of experience in a law firm setting required.

• Understanding of the legal sector, legal products, and key drivers of a global practice.

• Experience in the regulatory and/or IP practices is a plus.

• Experience working in a global organization across time zones.

SKILLS

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with senior leaders & stakeholders.

• Strong relationship-building and networking abilities.

• Ability to influence across business functions without direct management responsibility.

• Strong organizational project management, business acumen, and data analysis skills.

• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills, with demonstrated ability to use technology to improve productivity and problem-solving; experience with Smartsheet or other data automation tools is preferred.

CHARACTERISTICS & ABILITIES OF AN IDEAL CANDIATE

• Proactive, self-motivated, and takes initiative.

• Handles sensitive information with discretion and integrity.

• Highly collaborative, with strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

• Builds relationships across geographies, functions, and levels, with attentiveness to cultural differences.

• Adaptable and responsive under pressure and tight timelines.

• Interested in innovation and process improvement, with the ability to propose ideas, build support, and help implement solutions.

• Focused, decisive, and logical.

• Pragmatic, data-driven, and commercially minded.

OTHER

Core hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the willingness to work additional hours as needed.

This job description sets forth the authorities and responsibilities of this position and may be changed from time to time as shall be determined. 

In D.C., the expected base salary range for this role is $177,000 - $206,000 per year. This range reflects a good-faith estimate of pay at the time of posting; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications. This position is eligible for additional forms of compensation, which may include annual discretionary bonuses.  Employees in this role are also eligible for benefits offered by the firm, subject to applicable plan terms and conditions, which currently include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; and paid time off. Please review this link for more information regarding employee benefits in the United States.

This job description sets forth the responsibilities of this position and may be changed from time to time as shall be determined.

Hogan Lovells is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or other factors protected by law.

Hogan Lovells complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected].