Director of International Office Services in London

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe.

Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth. Founded in Palo Alto, California in 1961, the firm advises companies at every stage of development, from start-ups to global public companies, across a wide range of cutting-edge industries. With offices across the United States, Europe and Asia, including London, Brussels, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Wilson Sonsini offers its attorneys and professional staff sophisticated work, a collaborative culture and the opportunity to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

The London office opened in 2018 and has grown steadily to serve UK and European technology companies and the investors who back them, advising on cross-border financings, exits and other transatlantic matters. The office now has 40 attorneys and 25 business professionals. It is a collegial, fast-growing office within a global firm, and the Director will help shape how it and the firm's other international offices operate.

We are seeking a Director of International Office Services to lead office operations across London and the firm's international offices in Brussels, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Based in London, you will manage and develop the Office Managers in Brussels and Hong Kong and the Office Supervisors in London and Shanghai, set consistent standards while respecting local business, regulatory and cultural requirements, and serve as the senior administrative link between the offices and the firm's global functions.

In London, you will hold overall accountability for the workplace and be actively involved in its day-to-day running, working alongside the London Office Supervisor, who leads the office services team. You will also manage the Executive Assistants and paralegals, with the London Office Supervisor supporting you by coordinating team-level matters.

Responsibilities

• Leadership
  • Manage and coach the Office Managers and Office Supervisors, setting clear expectations, priorities and accountability.
  • Develop Office Managers and Office Supervisors as managers and business partners, and plan for staffing, coverage, cross-training and succession.
  • Manage the Executive Assistants and paralegals, with the London Office Supervisor assisting by coordinating team-level matters.
  • Delegate effectively to the London Office Supervisor and other direct reports, while remaining hands-on in London and stepping in directly when needed.
  • Model professionalism and foster a respectful, collegial workplace culture.
• Standards and Operations
  • Establish consistent standards, processes and best practices across offices, with flexibility for local requirements.
  • Provide hands-on leadership in London, and senior oversight across the international offices, of facilities, reception and front of house, vendors, office moves and space planning, health and safety, emergency preparedness and events.
  • Oversee Office Services budgets, major expenditures and vendor relationships.
  • Ensure critical responsibilities have clear ownership, documented processes, escalation paths and backup coverage.
• Workforce Coordination
  • Oversee onboarding and offboarding of attorneys and business professionals in London, ensuring new joiners and leavers have a smooth, consistent experience, in coordination with HR, Attorney Recruiting, IT, Facilities and Finance.
  • Manage the day-to-day tracking of comings and goings, absences and leaves of absence for attorneys and business professionals in the London office, keeping accurate records and ensuring appropriate coverage.
  • Work in partnership with HR, which retains responsibility for policy, advice, entitlements and employee relations, and escalate matters to HR as appropriate.
• Partnership
  • Serve as the senior escalation point for significant operational, workplace, staffing and vendor issues.
  • Build strong relationships with partners, lawyers and business professionals, and keep office operations aligned with changing needs.
  • Act as senior liaison to global functions (HR, Finance, IT, Legal, Risk & Compliance and others), routing specialist matters to the right owner and providing local coordination where appropriate.
  • Lead the rollout of firmwide administrative and workplace initiatives in the offices.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years' experience in office operations or workplace services, including five or more years leading three or more offices, ideally in a law firm or comparable professional-services organisation.
• Proven record of managing and developing Office Managers, Office Supervisors or other operational leaders, with three or more manager-level direct reports and overall responsibility for a team of 15 or more.
• Experience managing executive assistants, paralegals or similar support staff, including working through a supervisor who coordinates team-level matters.
• Solid grounding in facilities, vendor management, health and safety and office administration.
• Track record of introducing consistent standards and processes across three or more offices in more than one country, while accommodating local requirements.
• Experience running the operational side of onboarding, offboarding and absence or leave tracking for 50 or more attorneys and business professionals, working closely with HR and handling confidential information with discretion.
• Sound budget and operational judgment, including responsibility for an annual Office Services budget and knowing what to handle locally and what to escalate.
• Executive presence and credibility with partners and senior stakeholders, with experience influencing across central functions and local teams without direct authority.
• Willingness to be hands-on in the London office as well as leading others, with the credibility to do both.
• Pragmatic, responsive and strong on follow-through.

We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package.

Equal Opportunity Employer.