Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

Job description:

Shipman's value lies in our commitment -- to our clients, to the profession and to the community. We have one goal: to help our clients achieve their goals. How we accomplish it is simple: we devote our considerable experience and depth of knowledge to understand each client's unique needs, business and industry, and then we develop solutions to meet those needs. With more than 150 lawyers in offices throughout Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts, we serve the needs of local, regional, national and international clients. Our clients include public and private companies, institutions, government entities, non-profit organizations and individuals.

The Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) is a senior finance leader responsible for delivering forward-looking financial insight to support firm strategy, operational decision-making, and sustainable growth. Reporting directly to the COO, this role serves as a key business partner to firm leadership, Finance Committee, Practice Group Leaders, and Department Heads, translating financial data into actionable recommendations. This role can reside in any of our offices (Stamford, Hartford, Boston, etc.)

This role is both strategic and hands-on—owning budgeting, forecasting, pricing analytics, and profitability reporting while continuously improving financial transparency and discipline across the firm.

Core Responsibilities

Firmwide Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with the COO, incorporating revenue, expense, headcount, and capital planning.

• Develop rolling forecasts and scenario analysis tied to workload demand, hiring plans, and rate changes.

• Monitor monthly performance versus budget and forecast and compared to prior year; identify trends, risks, and corrective actions.

• Support Department Heads and Practice Group Leaders in understanding and managing financial performance.

Pricing, Rates & Profitability

• Partner with the COO and firm leadership on annual rate setting and rate increase modeling.

• Provide Department, Practice Group and/or client- and matter-level profitability analysis, including leverage, realization, and margin performance.

• Support pricing strategy for new matters, lateral proposals, and alternative fee arrangements.

• Utilize and adjust technology tools for accurate and real time reporting.

Reporting & Business Intelligence

• Produce clear, concise monthly and quarterly financial reporting for the COO, Managing Partner, and Finance Committee.

• Develop dashboards and KPIs relevant to a mid-size firm (e.g., revenue per lawyer, utilization, realization, expense ratios).

• Translate complex financial information into practical insights for attorneys and department leaders.

• Ensure consistency and accuracy of reporting across finance and practice management functions.

• Experience with PowerBI and Aderant desired.

• Experience with Thomson Reuters Financial Insights useful.

Strategic & Operational Partnership

• Act as a trusted advisor to the COO on growth initiatives, lateral hiring, and cost management.

• Support multi-year financial planning and long-range strategic modeling.

• Evaluate financial impact of operational initiatives, technology investments, and staffing changes.

• Provide ad hoc analysis to support leadership and partnership decisions.

Process Improvement & Systems

• Work closely with Accounting, Practice Management, and IT to ensure high-quality financial data.

• Leverage financial systems (e.g., Aderant, EIS, iTimekeep, PowerBI, InTapp) and Excel-based models to improve forecasting and reporting.

• Identify opportunities to streamline financial processes and enhance analytical capabilities without adding unnecessary complexity.

Team & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Manage and mentor FP&A staff, if applicable, or operate as a highly independent individual contributor.

• Collaborate closely with Accounting, Billing, HR, and Practice Management to align financial insights with operational realities.

• Promote financial literacy and accountability across the firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field; MBA or CPA preferred or equivalent law firm experience.

• 8–12+ years of progressive financial planning and analysis experience; law firm or professional services experience strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated understanding of law firm economics, including billable hours, utilization, realization, leverage, and rates.

• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills; experience with BI tools is a plus.

• Proven ability to partner with senior leadership and influence decision-making.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial audiences.

• High degree of discretion, judgment, and professionalism