Billing & Collections Manager

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are currently seeking a Billing & Collections Manager in our Finance department, reporting directly to the Director of Billing & Collections - U.S.

The role will reside in the Washington, DC and will be responsible for managing the activities of the Billing & Collections staff on a daily basis. The Billing & Collections Manager is expected to demonstrate initiative, set priorities for the department, ensure timely and accurate completion of assignments, and oversee compliance by those in the department with firm and office policies and procedures. The Billing & Collections Manager is expected to maintain expertise in the tasks or services provided by the department and to work on, as well as delegate, tasks assigned to the team. Further, the Billing & Collections Manager is expected to serve as a positive role model and mentor, and to perform all responsibilities with a commitment to providing superior service to the firm’s clients, attorneys, advisors and staff, efficient and effective departmental operations, and an atmosphere of teamwork and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Set priorities, coordinate and participate in the daily workflow for the department, ensuring quality of work and timely completion of assignments during regular business hours and on an overtime/weekend staffing basis. This includes responsibility for all aspects of daily billing and collections tasks.
• Monitor department productivity; develop and implement procedures to optimize effectiveness; ensure that space, equipment and technology are used effectively.
• Cultivate seamless and highly-effective working relationships and lines of communication across the client billing organization; manage, mentor and develop staff; and foster a highly responsive, team-orientated, client service-focused approach with the utmost commitment to professional excellence.
• Oversee departmental personnel and monitor attendance and performance issues; conduct conferences with departmental staff regarding such issues, as needed.
• Serve as mentor to departmental staff and assist in staff development; implement standards of excellence and customer service; and with the guidance of the Director of Billing and Collections or designee, provide departmental staff with an understanding of future expectations and initiate changes needed to meet them.
• Implement firm billing and collections standards, policies and programs at the office level.
• Resolve problems when possible and, as necessary, report problems to others in the office or department in a timely manner.
• Maintain a professional and courteous manner at all times, contribute to constructive resolution of conflicts within the department and between the department and others in the office or firm.
• Work directly with attorneys as necessary on billing and collection matters.
• Oversee firm escrow accounts.
• Respond to written and telephone inquiries from attorneys and staff ensuring that they are answered as soon as possible with particular attention to adherence to firm policy.
• Prepare for and attend monthly Billing & Collections Committee meetings representing assigned offices.
• Coordinate and work as a team with other departments to provide necessary services to lawyers and clients.
• Evaluate assigned staff and participate in their annual performance reviews. Provide constructive feedback on a regular basis. Identify possible training/development needs and opportunities for growth of team members.
• Develop long-term plans and goals for the department in cooperation with the Director of Billing & Collections – U.S. or designee.
• Participate in available professional development activities; monitor publications and other sources of information for trends affecting the department's performance.
• Conduct department orientation for all new attorneys, paralegals and staff.

Qualifications (Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities):

• Bachelor’s Degree required, in accounting, finance or related field preferred
• 5+ years law firm billing and collections experience required
• Prior supervisory experience required
• Experience with computerized accounting and collections systems, Aderant
• Experience with E-billing
• Advanced knowledge of Excel
• Thorough knowledge of MS Office applications including Word and Outlook
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate potentially detailed and complex information to others
• Aptitude and willingness to work with complex procedures
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to read, comprehend and follow instructions
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adjust to changing priorities in a professional manner
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Willingness and ability to assume new tasks and responsibilities
• Basic knowledge of human resources policies, practices and legal requirements
• Strong leadership skills and willingness to function as a role model within the office
• Excellent judgment and common sense
• Strong service orientation, and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with users, peers, office and firm management, and outside business partners
• Ability to work well under pressure, facilitate solutions, and meet deadlines and milestones for projects assigned
• Ability to work extended hours as necessary to fulfill time sensitive responsibilities
• Commitment to professional growth and development

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP participates in E-Verify for purposes of verifying employment eligibility