Join our Team as our new, and FIRST, Director of Operations!
Who We Are
Douglass & Runger, PLLC is a rapidly growing family law, probate, and estate planning firm - ranked as the 14th fastest growing law firm in the United States by Law Firm 500 - based in Bartlett, TN, a suburb of Memphis, TN. We pride ourselves on delivering compassionate, high-quality legal services to individuals as they are navigating life's most challenging moments. Our commitment to service has earned our firm the 2025 Quality Business Award for Best Estate Planning Lawyer in Bartlett and Bartlett's Best Family Law Attorneys. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a dynamic, result-driven Director of Operations to join our team and serve as a driving force for continued expansion and exceptional client service.
This newly created role will report directly to the CEO and will play a critical role in developing the infrastructure needed to continue our firm's growth and success. The Director of Operations will oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring that systems, processes, and resources are optimized for efficiency, quality, and client satisfaction. The ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of leadership, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of the professional service industry's needs and challenges. Experience in the legal industry is not required. We value unique insight and strategy to expand on and complement our legal expertise, so if you are a driven, strategic operations leader who has a passion for service excellence within the broader professional services industry, we are looking for you!
Why Join the Douglass & Runger Team?
At Douglass & Runger, we are passionate about what we do, the service we provide and the clients we serve. We value our team, professional and personal growth, and an innovative culture that requires commitment to our core values, accountability, adaptability, integrity and synergy.
We offer competitive compensation, with opportunities for bonuses tied to revenue growth, an environment that values and invests in its team, and quality employee benefits.
Competitive Compensation: Offers competitive salary with bonuses based on revenue growth.
Benefits: 401K with employer match, quality medical, vision, and dental insurance, unlimited PTO.
Culture of Support: Join a collaborative, high-performing team that values accountability, growth, and work-life balance.
Professional Development: Grow with us through direct access to our CEO, collaboration with a team of legal professionals, a full, fractional C-Suite for additional support, and enjoy opportunities for growth within Executive Leadership Team.
Personal Development: We value both professional and personal development and offer opportunities for personal growth alongside continuous professional improvement.
Work Environment: Thrive in a fast-paced, rewarding environment where your contributions directly impact the firm's success.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning: Partner with firm leadership to help drive business strategy, including client acquisition and retention, marketing efforts, and long-term operational goals, in addition to implementation of measures to increase firm profitability.
Create and set strategic goals that align with overall institutional objectives, focusing on operational efficiency, growth and profitability
Collaborate with leadership on strategic planning, process improvements and operating excellence.
Execute strategy by enacting objectives and operational tactics within areas of responsibility.
Metrics & Reporting: Develop, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational efficiency, client satisfaction, and employee performance.
Use data-driven insights to support continuous improvement and organizational growth.
Analyze trends and emerging needs among key team members to forecast future opportunities, while developing metrics to assess the implementation of strategic priorities.
Oversee the daily functions of our non-legal professionals, managing the operational aspects of the firm, driving and advising best practice process improvement to maximize operational efficiency and productivity.
Process Improvement: Identify and implement improvements to streamline firm operations and enhance client experience. This includes developing new policies, systems, and workflows.
Apply Strategic Planning, Metrics & Reporting, and Process Improvement strategies to the optimization of the following interdisciplinary functions.
Operational Leadership:
Oversee the daily functions of our non-legal professionals, managing the operational aspects of the firm, driving and advising best practice process improvement to maximize operational efficiency and productivity.
Human Resource Operations:
Lead a team of in-house, non-attorney staff, and offshore contractors, ensuring that all team KPIs, operational goals and client service standards are consistently met.
Manage an interdisciplinary team, while actively mentoring and developing team members with an emphasis on personal and professional growth, high-performance culture and positive morale.
Develop and implement strategic processes to optimize efficiency in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, engagement, progressive discipline, performance evaluation, compensation planning, training and development, and productivity.
Financial Oversight:
Work closely with the firm's fractional C-suite, including finance and business consultants, to regularly manage budgets, forecasts, and financial performance, ensuring alignment of projects, strategic initiatives, and operational goals.
Technology Integration:
Ensure the firm is leveraging technology effectively to improve efficiency, data management, and service delivery. Oversee the use of case management, CRM systems, and other operational tools.
Compliance & Risk Management:
Maintain compliance with all ethical and legal standards, particularly regarding client confidentiality, legal billing practices, and employee management.
* This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may vary based upon changing Company needs.*
Qualifications & Experience
Management experience in an operational or related role within the professional services industry.
Demonstrable experience in operations leadership in a professional services organization generating over $20 million of gross revenues and handling annual budgets in excess of $10 million.
Experience interpreting and utilizing financial reports to drive decision-making with respect to pricing of professional services and capacity analysis of staff.
Demonstrable success in operational strategy, integration, and optimization in a law firm or similar professional services firm.
Experience managing both in-house teams and remote or offshore contractors.
Familiarity with technological management tools, CRM systems, and case management software.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and manage teams effectively driving efficiency and productivity.
Collaborative skills, including but not limited to goal setting, team development, and conflict resolution.
Proven skills in team leadership, compliance oversight, budgeting, and strategic execution.
Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.
Excellent change management skills working in a fast-paced, results-driven, and rapidly growing environment.
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to work collaboratively with legal professionals and support staff.
Education & Certifications
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Legal Studies, or a related field.
Master's degree in Business Administration, or related field; or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP/SPHR/PHR required.
Total Compensation Package
Base Salary: $125,000-$150,000 per year (commensurate with experience).
Bonus compensation based on year-over-year revenue growth.
Relocation assistance, if applicable
Benefits: UNLIMITED PTO
Quality Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
401(k) with Employer Match
Continued Education Opportunities
Personal and Professional Growth Opportunities
If you are a qualified candidate who is excited by the opportunity to join our team, apply today following the instructions below. We can't wait to meet you!
How to Apply:
Submit your resume and prepare a cover letter with no more than TWO paragraphs and a closing sentence.
In the first paragraph, explain what you believe are the three most important qualities that a Director of Operations must possess to successfully guide a law firm from a gross revenue of $3 million a year to a gross revenue of $10 million a year in within three years. Provide a brief explanation of why each quality is essential to achieving this objective.
In the second paragraph, explain why you are interested in this opportunity and how your experience makes you the ideal candidate to help a rapidly growing law firm expand its operations and increase its market share.
The closing sentence must state: 'I have read the instructions contained in the job posting and have followed the instructions.'
**Applications that do not follow these instructions will not be considered.**
Note: The Director of Operations will not practice law but will play a significant role in the operational and business management aspects of the firm. This role supports attorneys in delivering exceptional legal services to clients while ensuring the firm runs efficiently and meets its business goals.
*Douglass & Runger, PLLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity within our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.*