Operations Assistant – (Hybrid Schedule)

US Job Description

Firm Information

Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 30 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, entertainment and media, shipping and transport, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing, technology, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.

Position Summary

This role is responsible for providing high-level, confidential administrative support to the global Chair of the Private Equity group (“PE Chair”) of the US Corporate Department of Reed Smith.

Essential Functions

Heavy calendar management. Run PE Chair’s calendar and schedule with meticulous attention to detail including: organizing meetings and related events, creating invitations for internal and client meetings and events to include all pertinent details (zoom links, locations, contact information), often liasing across time zones and multiple busy calendars; proficient in meeting planning, scheduling, and related logisitics.
Liaise with internal and external clients and support services (e.g. IT, Travel, and Office Services as well as external vendors) on behalf of the PE Chair as it pertains to scheduling of meetings, events and travel.
Proactively manage the schedule and calendar of the PE Chair with a forward-thinking approach. Excercise judgment as to priorities, use discretion and diplomacy to manage requests for the PE Chair’s time and help increase the PE Chair’s effectiveness through judicious calendar management and status reports.
Organize the PE Chair’s activities to ensure high levels of productivity and effectiveness. In doing so, strategically consider the PE Chairs objectives as well as a broad range of internal and external factors, and through communication and collaboration with the PE Chair’s other team members. Manage constantly shifting priorities and competing interests for the PE Chair’s time and adjust decisions and actions accordingly.
Run point on PE Chair’s travel arrangements, leveraging Firm’s Travel Department, but overseeing all travel planning, logistics and details, to include PE Chair’s preferences, aiming to be efficient with PE Chair’s time during business trips, and keeping client-related components of business trips at the forefront. Coordinate logistics with international clients and service providers of multiple time zones.
Track all follow-up requests (meetings, materials, deliverables) following travel.
Approach all client interactions, either in writing, by telephone or in person, with the utmost professionalism, as a representative of the PE Chair and the Firm.
Contribute as an active team member to the PE Chair’s support team, working particularly closely with the Senior Manager of Business Development & Operations.
Prepare and/or disseminate schedues, notifications, agendas, minutes, and meeting materials. Post information as needed to intranet’s sites used by the PE Chair’s team; carry forward all action items as needed/appropriate, from meetings.
Process New Business Intake forms promptly, ensuring timely follow up and assignment and communication of matter numbers. Maintain an ongoing status list of NBIs and new matters opened.
Provide daily action item report. Contribute administrative-related items to the weekly report, highlighting follow week’s priorities for PE Chair. Must maintain high level of attention to PE Chair’s work streams and priorities.
Work independently and as a highly effective member of the PE Chair’s team. Build and maintain an effective working relationship with personnel at all levels. Effectively manage commuications with high-level internal and external constituents.
Contribute to success of PE Chair’s financial and client growth goals.
Independently prioritize, research, and follow up on multiple incoming issues and concerns addressed to the PE Chair, including those of sensitive and/or confidential nature; recommend appropriate course of action, referral, and/or response.
Maintain the Outlook contacts list, promptly adding new contacts upon introduction to the PE Chair, keeping up-to-date by updating contacts when they change firms, and adding contacts from business cards upon the PE Chair’s return from travel.
Manage annual holiday card and client gift distribution, ensuring accurate and up-to-date recipient contact information is maintained throughout the year.
Ensure prompt processing of all expenses utilizing ChromeRiver system.
Process PE Chair’s timesheets daily, drafting entries and following up, as appropriate.
Provide on-call support.
Perform other duties assigned.

Job functions included are not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. Reed Smith reserves the right to revise or modify job functions at any time.

Requirements

Education: Two years of college or equivalent experience.

Experience: Five plus years experience in a high-level administrative support or management position. Experience in a law firm or other professional services firm preferred.

Skills: Expert organizational skills; top-notch time management skills; streamlined and polished communication style; problem-solving orientation; ownership of the role and the responsibilities; meticulous attention to detail; ability to remain calm and poised in times of high stress.

Additionally: Mastery of Microsoft Office suite, including ability to create PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets, and Word documents. Advanced Outlook skills including the calendaring and task functions. Facility with Zoom and MS Teams.

Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters professionally and with discretion. Ability to resolve issues quickly, effectively, and diplomatically and to make appropriate recommendations.

Good decision maker, strategic thinker and proven ability to manage time, people and resources in order to meet deadlines. Demonstrated ability to take initiative, manage projects and handle multiple competing priorities. Flexibility and ability to adapt to constantly changing priorities.

Project management skills/training, a plus.

Other

Pay Range: Pay Range: $100,000 – $115,000. This represents the presently-anticipated low and high end of Reed Smith’s pay range for this position. Actual pay may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location and experience.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Equipment To Be Used: Personal computer and other office equipment such as telephone, calculator, fax, machine, copier, scanner, etc.

Typical Physical Demands: Manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office equipment.

Typical Mental Demands: Able to work effectively in a fast paced environment. Make judgment decisions and adapt to changing work situations. Grasp and apply new ideas. Communicate with various personalities at all levels.

Working Conditions: You will be required to work in the office at minimum 3 days per week. The details of your weekly schedule will be discussed further with your direct supervisor. Extended business hours + most days and must be available evenings and weekends routinely via telephone, text and email. Role is Over-Time eligible.

Reed Smith offers a challenging work environment, business casual dress code and a total compensation package that includes a competitive salary, flexible benefits program, tuition assistance, and generous 401 (k) plan.

Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reed Smith’s success depends heavily on the effective utilization of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran’s status, or any characteristic protected by law. As a firm, we adhere to and promote equal employment opportunity for all.

Reed Smith provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, including in the application and interview process.

Qualified candidates only. No search firms.
Reed Smith LLP