Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

We are seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer to join the firm’s senior leadership team and play a key role in shaping and delivering the firm’s strategic and operational priorities.

Working closely with the Managing Partner, Board and Partners, this role offers an opportunity to provide strategic and operational leadership across the firm’s business services functions, including Finance, People & Culture, Business Development & Marketing, Digital, Legal & Risk and Strategic Operations. The COO will work collaboratively with leaders across the firm to translate strategy into action, strengthen organisational capability and ensure the firm has the resources, systems and operational disciplines required to support sustainable growth, exceptional client service and long-term profitability.

The role encompasses a broad range of strategic, commercial and operational responsibilities, including financial and business performance, people and organisational capability, technology and digital enablement, risk and governance, business development and marketing, major projects and transformation.  It offers significant breadth and influence, with the opportunity to drive continuous improvement, strengthen organisational effectiveness and support the continued evolution of the firm.

The ideal candidate will bring significant senior leadership experience within a professional services environment, together with strong commercial and financial acumen, strategic thinking and demonstrated experience leading change and transformation. You will be a collaborative and consultative leader who builds trusted relationships, exercises sound judgement and can influence effectively at Partner, Board and senior leadership level.  Equally important will be your ability to translate strategic priorities into practical outcomes and bring clarity, accountability and momentum to their delivery.

If you are looking for an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the future of an established professional services firm, we would welcome the opportunity to hear from you. This is an influential leadership role offering the opportunity to work closely with the Managing Partner, Board and Partnership, lead a highly capable business services team and help shape the firm’s continued growth and development.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Support the Managing Partner in the development and implementation of the Firm's strategic plan.
  • Translate strategic priorities into operational plans, projects and measurable outcomes.
  • Lead the implementation and delivery of Firm-wide strategic initiatives and transformation programs.
  • Provide strategic advice and recommendations to the Managing Partner and Board regarding the operational performance and future direction of the Firm.
  • Drive continuous improvement, innovation and organisational effectiveness across the Firm.
  • Financial and Commercial Management
  • Lead the Firm's budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
  • Monitor and report on financial performance.
  • Support the Partners in achieving the Firm's financial and profitability 
    objectives.
  • Oversee management of cash flow, working capital and financial resources.
  • Ensure appropriate financial controls, reporting frameworks and performance measures are maintained.
  • Oversee procurement, supplier management and significant commercial arrangements.
  • Support evaluation of business cases, investments and growth opportunities.
• People and Capability
  • Lead and promote a high-performance, values-based and inclusive culture.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of the Firm's people strategy.
  • Ensure effective recruitment, retention, development and succession planning practices.
  • Promote leadership capability and workforce planning across the Firm.
  • Ensure appropriate remuneration, performance management and employee engagement frameworks are maintained.
  • Promote an equitable and inclusive work environment that encourages, facilitates and rewards performance and supports the Firm's people.
• Clients and Markets
  • Support the Managing Partner in delivering the Firm's client and growth strategies.
  • Oversee the Firm's business development and marketing functions to ensure alignment with strategic priorities.
  • Support the development and implementation of sector, client and market growth initiatives.
  • Promote client experience and service improvement initiatives across the Firm.
  • Utilise market intelligence and business insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Operational Excellence
  • Lead, direct and develop the operations of the Firm.
  • Develop operational plans, monitor implementation and take action to ensure planned results are achieved.
  • Ensure that the Firm is provided with adequate resources, tools, technologies and infrastructure to optimise productivity and performance.
  • Drive process optimisation and operational efficiency across the Firm.
  • Oversee the delivery of major projects and transformation initiatives.
  • Ensure effective facilities management, workplace services and administrative support functions.
• Technology and Digital Enablement
  • Oversee the Firm's digital, technology and information management strategies.
  • Ensure technology investments support the Firm's strategic and operational objectives.
  • Drive digital transformation and technology adoption initiatives.
  • Promote effective cyber security, information governance and data management practices.
  • Ensure the Firm's systems and technology platforms support productivity, collaboration and client service excellence.
• Communication
  • In conjunction with the Managing Partner, develop, implement and maintain effective channels of communication and reporting across the Firm.
  • Provide regular reporting and performance insights to the Managing Partner and Board.
  • Promote collaboration and information sharing across Practice Groups, Sectors and Business Services.
  • Support effective change management and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Risk and Compliance
  • Identify, monitor and control exposure to risk including financial, operational, cyber, legal, compliance, reputational, personnel and intellectual property 
    risk.
  • Support the Managing Partner with oversight and management of the Firm's Risk Management Frameworks and Plans and ensuring appropriate governance frameworks, policies, controls and compliance obligations are maintained.
  • Support the Managing Partner in business continuity, crisis management and organisational resilience planning.

Further Information 

Any questions regarding the vacancy can be directed to Cristin Bailieon (************* or *****************. For further information or to submit your application for this position please visit the careers page on our website. Please note any offer of employment made by Russell Kennedy to the successful candidate will be subject to a police check. We are currently accepting applications from direct applicants only. No agency referrals will be accepted at this stage.

Our Firm and Culture 

Russell Kennedy is a commercial law firm with more than 380 people in Melbourne and Sydney. We are committed to providing exceptional legal strategies and solutions to our clients, guided by market-leading expertise across our key sectors of focus.

As part of our team, you’ll receive hands-on experience, quality mentoring and access to valuable learning opportunities.  We encourage a professional and committed work ethic, while recognising the importance of an enjoyable working environment and balanced lifestyle. We believe we have a culture where individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feel included and confident in bringing their whole selves to work, and where your talents are fostered, empowering you to contribute to the success of the firm.

Russell Kennedy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is certified as a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, as well as being certified as a gold employer in the Australian Workplace Equality Index for employers with 500 or less employees.  We respect and celebrate the things that make each of us different. The firm supports and promotes a range of initiatives to create an environment that is characterised by equal access and respected participation of all groups and individuals. There is a particular focus and emphasis on gender equality, inclusion of First Nations peoples, accessibility for people with disability, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and cultural diversity. Russell Kennedy is recognised by Australian Disability Network as a Disability Confident Recruiter employer.

Russell Kennedy is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent available. We acknowledge the importance of work-life balance, all current and prospective employees have access to flexible work options and workplace adjustments including alternate accessible formats, where required. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please contact Cristin Bailie on (*************.

Russell Kennedy Lawyers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet and work. Our offices are situated on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri and Gadigal peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, to their emerging leaders and to the resilience, creativity and vitality of their cultures including their laws and systems of governance.