Chief Operating Officer - Richmond Office

Cookie Settings Main Content Main Menu Our People Services Contact Current Openings PRIVACY NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:  Sands Anderson PC cares about your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Our Privacy Statement describes how we will process and safeguard your personal data.   Back to Job Openings Chief Operating Officer - Richmond Office US, VA, Richmond APPLY SHARE Location: Richmond, Virginia, with travel to firm offices as needed Reports To: Board of Directors and President Salary Range: $275,000 to $325,000 with annual bonus Position Summary The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as the firm's highest-ranking administrative executive and is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and performance of all non-legal business operations. Reporting directly to the President and Board of Directors, the COO provides strategic direction and oversight for the firm's administrative functions and serves as the primary leader of the firm's administrative leadership team. The COO directly supervises the firm's Directors and other senior administrative leaders, including those responsible for Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing and Business Development, Recruiting, Facilities, and Operations. Through these leaders and their respective teams, the COO ensures the effective execution of the firm's strategic objectives, operational excellence, financial performance, talent management, technology initiatives, and business growth efforts. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Firm Growth Partner with the Board of Directors to develop and execute the firm's strategic plan. Translate firm goals into actionable initiatives and measurable outcomes. Evaluate opportunities for geographic expansion, new service lines, strategic alliances, and law firm combinations. Lead due diligence, financial analysis, and integration planning for mergers, acquisitions, and lateral group opportunities. Support succession planning and long-term organizational development initiatives. Financial and Business Performance Oversee the firm's financial operations in partnership with the Director of Finance. Monitor firm profitability, productivity, realization, collections, and key performance metrics. Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes. Develop financial models and business cases supporting growth investments and strategic initiatives. Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability. Administrative Leadership and Organizational Oversight Serve as the firm's senior administrative leader with ultimate accountability for all business and administrative operations. Provide leadership, direction, and accountability for the administrative departments and teams reporting through those Directors. Establish performance expectations, strategic priorities, and operational objectives for administrative functions across the firm. Ensure alignment and collaboration among administrative departments in support of firm-wide goals. Serve as the principal link between the Board of Directors, President, Shareholders, and the firm's administrative leadership team. Lead the administrative leadership team in developing and implementing firm policies, operational standards, and strategic initiatives. Directly manage and develop the firm's Directors and senior administrative leaders. Talent, Culture, and Organizational Effectiveness Partner with Human Resources and firm leadership on workforce planning, talent strategy, and employee engagement. Support recruiting, onboarding, integration, and retention initiatives for attorneys and business professionals. Promote a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with the firm's values. Assist leaders in managing organizational change and implementing strategic initiatives. Technology and Innovation Partner with the Director of Information Technology to ensure technology investments support firm objectives. Champion operational innovation, process improvement, and responsible adoption of emerging technologies. Evaluate opportunities to leverage AI, automation, and data analytics to enhance efficiency and client service. Marketing, Business Development, and Client Experience Collaborate with the Director of Business Development and Strategic Growth and marketing leadership to support client growth initiatives. Monitor market trends, competitive intelligence, and client feedback to inform firm strategy. Support key client programs, cross-selling initiatives, and attorney business development efforts. Ensure operational alignment with the firm's client service standards. Governance and Leadership Serve as a strategic advisor to the Board of Directors and President. Participate in Board, shareholder, and retreat planning and facilitation. Prepare executive reports, dashboards, and recommendations for firm leadership. Manage vendor relationships and negotiate major service agreements. Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Management, or related field. Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a law firm, professional services firm, or similarly complex organization. Demonstrated experience leading finance, operations, human resources, and administrative functions. Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and business performance analysis. Proven ability to execute strategic initiatives and organizational change. Preferred Qualifications MBA, CPA, JD, or other relevant advanced degree. Experience with law firm economics, attorney compensation structures, and legal industry operations. Experience evaluating and integrating mergers, acquisitions, or lateral teams. Familiarity with legal technology platforms, data analytics, and workflow automation. Direct Reports: Directors of Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, Business Development and Strategic Growth, and other administrative leaders as assigned. APPLY NOTICE TO SEARCH FIRMS: Firms that wish to present candidates to Sands Anderson PC must have an active agreement in place. Firms will not be entitled to receive any compensation as a result of a decision by Sands Anderson PC to offer employment to any such candidate unless an active agreement is in place between our law firm and your search firm, and then only on the terms, and subject to the conditions, contained in our agreement. All search firm candidates should be submitted via the Search Firm Portal. Search firms that do not introduce a candidate through our portal will not be recognized by Sands Anderson PC for purposes of “ownership” of the candidate. For questions or access to the portal, please contact Liz Coleman, Director of Business Development and Strategic Growth. Jump to Page Christiansburg Durham Fredericksburg Richmond Virginia Beach Williamsburg Client Pay Manage Cookies Privacy Disclaimer Site Map © 2026 Sands Anderson Site by Firmseek We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. You may opt out of non-essential cookies below. By using our website, you agree to our  Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.  MANAGE COOKIES REJECT COOKIES ACCEPT AND CLOSE