Director of Administration
Morrison & Foerster
New York, NY · Posted October 30, 2026
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About the job
New York, NY
Summary
A premier, global law firm seeks a Director of Administration for its New York office. As a strategic leader and trusted advisor, the Director of Administration drives the operational excellence of the New York, Boston, and Miami offices, shaping their culture, supporting their people, and ensuring seamless delivery of world-class client service. The Director develops strategic plans for future practice and operational needs of the offices and anticipates and provides support structures and systems to meet attorney and client expectations. The role coordinates closely with the HR team to manage employment relations and other HR matters, acts as a collaborative leader in both office and firm matters, and serves as a responsible advocate for office concerns and needs. The Director ensures consistency of office administrative operations with broader practices and firmwide standards, and provides collaborative leadership and direction to the offices’ partners and employees, coordinating closely with the Office Managing Partners of each location.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Provide strategic and tactical leadership aligning people, operations, and resources with firmwide priorities and client needs; serve as a bridge between local and global strategy.
Optimize infrastructure and staffing across the New York, Boston, and Miami offices.
Influence firmwide direction through participation in project teams and CAO staff meetings; advise office partners and firmwide functions on business and operations.
Operational Leadership
Foster operational excellence and accountability across all three offices.
Establish and maintain best-in-class service levels and cost standards.
Develop strategies, performance measures, and management talent to drive effective operational support.
Project/Process Management
Lead complex projects supporting firm and office strategies, meeting budget and timeline goals.
Design, implement, and continuously improve operational processes and policies.
Benchmark performance using industry best practices and data-driven strategy.
Partner with Business Development and Marketing on strategic initiatives.
Financial Accountability
Develop staffing plans and budgets for all three offices; manage expenses to budget.
Oversee billing, collections, and invoice approvals in coordination with Finance.
Support contract and vendor negotiations per firm procurement policy.
Communications Leadership
Ensure transparent, consistent communication across offices; lead relevant meetings.
Represent office interests in firmwide committees.
Collaborate with other Directors of Administration.
Team Management & HR
Provide leadership and development for direct reports and business professional staff, including performance management and compensation decisions.
Partner with HR and firm leadership on employee and attorney relations matters.
Oversee benefits administration and new-hire integration across offices.
Infrastructure Management
Lead long-range planning for space, facilities, and equipment needs.
Approve major purchases and space planning within authority.
Ensure robust security and disaster preparedness programs.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree plus 7+ years of experience as an Office Manager/Director in a legal or professional services environment, or equivalent.
Proven leadership record and collaborative results-orientation across a services industry.
Experience managing a business to shareholder, management, and employee expectations.
Demonstrated success leading organizations through change and developing high-performing management teams.
Multi-office oversight experience preferred.
Strong focus on operational excellence, client service, and cost management.
Highly intelligent, organized, and analytical approach to problem-solving.
Excellent project management, presentation, and communication skills.
Solid financial and operational acumen, with familiarity with IT practices.
Skilled at developing staff through coaching, goal-setting, and performance planning.
Willingness to travel regularly among the New York, Boston, and Miami offices.
Compensation: $275,000.00-$400,000.00, plus bonus