Director of Practice Operations

Faegre Drinker is a firm designed for clients and designed for you. We understand that our people are critical to our success and we are committed to investing in our paraprofessional, administrative and operations professionals. We are always looking for talented, service-focused individuals to join our flexible and high-performing culture. With technology tools and resources that support our hybrid work environment, our colleagues enjoy a culture of learning, support for work and personal goals, opportunities to give back to our communities, and competitive benefits and rewards programs. At Faegre Drinker, you will have the opportunity to share your expertise within and across teams and contribute to our success.
Job Description Summary
Faegre Drinker has an opportunity for a Director of Practice Operations to work with our Practice Management team in our Chicago, Denver, downtown Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, or Washington, D.C. offices. You will be directly responsible for managing and overseeing the firm's attorney promotion processes—including development plans, counsel and partnership-related promotions—and facilitating consistent and efficient decisions across Practice Groups. You will also develop effective data strategies, support meetings and project management, and assist the Senior Director of Practice Management in coaching leaders on associate utilization and performance planning. This position will work with other talented individuals who share a passion for doing great work in the best interest of our clients and the firm.

Job Description
What
you would do:

• Coordinate and manage the firm's associate promotion processes (e.g., in the window, counsel and partner admission).
• Work with Practice Group Leaders and Directors to manage and oversee consistent approaches to Practice Group inputs and decision-making regarding promotion recommendations.
• Partner with the firm's Professional Development department to coordinate the process for senior associates to create individual development plans containing detailed steps to help associates attain their professional goals.
• Help design the process for Practice Group and Partner Advisor review and input on the plans.
• Support the Senior Director of Practice Management in various initiatives involving utilization and performance management.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

What Is Expected

• Outstanding organizational and project management skills and the ability to succeed in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, handling multiple priorities in a timely manner.
• Self-starter who is proactive and highly motivated and able to multi-task effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to develop strong relationships with senior-level partners, other department professionals, and staff at various levels across the firm.
• Sound judgment and extreme discretion with respect to confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong problem resolution and client service skills to internal and external clients.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with co-workers in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Ability to solve problems and think critically.
• Curious, with a growth and self-improvement mindset.
• Ability to concentrate on tasks, make decisions and work calmly and effectively in a high-pressure, deadline- orientated environment.
• Seeks and provides real-time, candid feedback.
• Flexible with time and ability to adjust to a changing work environment.
• Ability to take direction, accept supervision and seek guidance as needed.
• Ability to work independently, organize and appropriately prioritize work, be detail-oriented, understand when urgency is required, and use good judgment in varied situations.

What We Offer

• Professional environment and the opportunity to work with experts at the top of their fields
• Flexible working environment for work-life success
• Opportunity to participate in firm-sponsored volunteer events
• Wellness programming with personalized content and activities
• Variety of health plan options, as well as dental, vision and 401(k) plans
• Generous paid time off

The anticipated initial annual salary range for someone who is hired into this position is $180,000 – $210,000.

Actual initial salary may be above or below the above-identified range and will be based on the relevant skills, training, experience, and other job-related factors, including the location where the position is filled, in all cases consistent with applicable law. This is an exempt role and the initial salary range listed above is just one component of Faegre Drinker's total compensation and benefits package for professional staff, which includes, but is not limited to: a discretionary bonus; life, health, accident, and disability insurance; and a 401(k) plan.

Application Deadline:
November 19, 2025

What Is Required

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in business or finance, or equivalent experience required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• 10 years or more of practice management, promotion process, or compensation process-related experience, ideally at an AmLaw 100 law firm or leading investment banking, consulting, or accounting firm
• Previous project management experience

Apply now if you are ready to join the Faegre Drinker team
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP participates in the federal government's E-Verify program. With all new hires, we provide the Social Security Administration and, when applicable, the US Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic made unlawful by applicable federal, state or local laws. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of employment, including retirement, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline and termination.
In compliance with Colorado state law, you have the right not to identify your age, including by not disclosing your date of birth or dates of attendance or graduation, to us as part of your application and hiring process. You may redact this information (i.e., age, date of birth, and dates of attendance / graduation) from your application and related materials. If you choose to redact this information, please do so in a manner that allows us to read the other data on the applicable document(s) (e.g., if redacting the year you graduated from your transcript, please ensure other items on your transcript are legible).
Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies:
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath (and any subsidiary) has an internal recruiting department and does not accept unsolicited resumes.