Head of Operations & Finance

Role Overview

The Head of Operations & Finance will report to the Paris Managing Partner and the CE COO and work closely with the partnership and the firm’s international leadership teams. The role is responsible for the effective operational management of the Paris office, ensuring that the office has the right structure, processes, teams and support functions in place to deliver excellent service to clients and lawyers. The Head of Operations & Finance will act as a trusted adviser, helping to implement local priorities while ensuring alignment with the firm’s global strategy. This is a senior leadership role requiring strong operational judgement, credibility in a partnership environment and the ability to bring together multiple business services teams, including HR, Finance, Business Development, IT, secretarial services, office management and other support functions. The Head of Operations & Finance will play a central role in strengthening the performance, efficiency and culture of the Paris office, while supporting transformation, innovation and collaboration with other offices, global functions and shared services centres.

Key Responsibilities

Office Leadership and Governance

• Support the Managing Partner and local management committee in the implementation of the office’s strategic priorities.
• Help ensure that partners have the operational information, analysis and support needed to manage the business effectively.
• Facilitate collaboration between practice groups, partners and business services teams.
• Support clear and effective communication across the office.
• Ensure that local decisions and initiatives are consistent with the firm’s wider strategy and standards.

Operational Management of Business Services

The Head of Operations & Finance will lead and coordinate the Paris office’s business services functions, ensuring that they operate as an integrated, client-focused and efficient support platform for the partnership and wider office.

• Human Resources
• Finance
• Business Development and Marketing Communications
• IT and digital transformation
• Secretarial services
• Office management, facilities and real estate
• Risk, compliance and operational controls in coordination with firmwide teams

The emphasis of the role is on overall operational leadership rather than direct technical and hierarchical management of each function.

Financial and Business Performance

The Head of Operations & Finance will work closely with the global and local Finance teams to support the financial and commercial performance of the Paris office.

• Provide partners with clear information on financial and operational performance.
• Support initiatives to improve working capital, billing processes, cash collection and matter management.
• Help partners and business services teams identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Ensure that financial processes are well integrated with the office’s broader operating model.
• Promote a commercially aware culture across the office.

International Coordination and Firmwide Alignment

• Ensure strong coordination between Paris and the firm’s international management and business services teams.
• Support the implementation of firmwide initiatives at local level.
• Help the Paris office adopt best practices from across the network.
• Represent the operational needs and perspectives of the Paris office in international discussions.
• Optimise and control delivery of shared services capacity and promote collaboration and consistency across offices where appropriate.

Transformation, Technology and Innovation

Lead the operational transformation of the Paris office with a focus on digitalisation, process improvement and the effective adoption of new technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Candidate Profile

Experience

The successful candidate will bring significant senior management experience, ideally gained in an international law firm, professional services firm, consultancy, audit firm or another complex partnership or matrix environment. They will have experience leading or coordinating multidisciplinary business services teams and working closely with senior stakeholders in a demanding professional environment. Relevant experience may include roles such as General Secretary, Director of Operations, General Manager or another senior business leadership position.

Skills and Capabilities

• Strong operational leadership and organisational judgement.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience managing or coordinating business services functions in a professional services environment.
• Good understanding of the economics and operating model of a law firm or similar partnership.
• Ability to work effectively with partners and senior stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills in both French and English.
• Ability to influence and build consensus without always relying on direct authority.
• Experience supporting transformation, change management and process improvement.
• Comfort with technology and interest in digital tools and artificial intelligence.
• Sound commercial and financial understanding, without the role being finance‑led.

Personal Qualities

• Pragmatic, collaborative and credible, with confidence to operate at senior level and judgement to navigate partnership environment.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Diplomacy, discretion and sound judgement.
• Ability to build trust with partners, lawyers and business services teams.
• Structured and solution‑oriented approach.
• Resilience to operate in a demanding environment.
• Strong service mindset and commitment to operational excellence.
• Ability to bring people together and drive progress across multiple teams and priorities.

EEO Statement

Signataire de la Charte LGBT+, nous sommes convaincus que diversité et performance vont de pair : nous portons la même attention à toutes les candidatures.