Managing Director, Transformation & Strategy

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross-functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do.
Here, we’re not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.
This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward-thinking peers.

The Managing Director, Strategy & Transformation (the “Managing Director”) will play a pivotal role driving the execution of the firm's strategy, transformation, and operational priorities. The incumbent will provide thought leadership, identify growth opportunities, and spearhead initiatives that foster innovation, operational excellence, and a sustainable competitive advantage. As a strategic thinker and results-oriented leader, the Managing Director will excel in navigating complexity and leading transformational initiatives with measurable impact across the firm. This role will oversee large-scale change efforts to ensure the firm remains agile, competitive, and aligned with evolving client and market needs. Reporting directly to the COO and leading a team of transformation and project managers, the successful candidate will collaborate closely with the firm’s senior leaders to promote organizational excellence and position the firm for long-term success.

What You Will Do:

Provide Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and champion the firm’s transformation roadmap that will lead to actualization of the firm’s long-term strategic priorities. Ensure these priorities are translated into actionable plans that align with the firm’s vision, market positioning, and competitive landscape with clear performance indicators and measurable impact.

• Guide the firm’s annual strategic planning process, working collaboratively with the firm’s senior leaders and internal stakeholders.

• Monitor, filter, and share relevant industry trends, competitive intelligence, and emerging opportunities in digestible format to inform decision-making or discussion.

Drive Transformation and Operational Excellence:

• Oversee large-scale, complex change initiatives from conception through execution, ensuring that transformation efforts are not only aligned with firm-wide goals but also embedded within the firm’s cultural and operational fabric for long-term sustainability. Ensure clear objectives, milestones, and measurable outcomes.

• Support the COO in optimizing organizational structures, resource allocation, and operational workflows.

• Establish and lead a best-in-class team of transformation and project managers to drive the execution of critical projects and initiatives.

• Lead team’s efforts to modernize systems and processes, leveraging technology and automation to drive efficiency.

• Direct the implementation of operational changes that streamline workflows, reduce costs, and enhance quality and productivity.

• Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging data, technology, and automation to modernize operations.

Execution and Collaboration:

• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the COO, ensuring alignment across priorities and initiatives.

• Act as a central point of coordination for cross-functional collaboration and communication to break down silos and promote transparency.

• Build strong relationships with firm and business unit leaders, functional heads, and other stakeholders to achieve alignment and collaboration.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, providing insights and recommendations to guide decision-making.

• Promote transparency and communication across teams, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and engaged.

• Design and implement analytics frameworks and KPIs to track performance, assess strategic impact, and evaluate the success of transformation initiatives.

• Support the firm in adopting new tools, systems, and processes by integrating change management best practices into projects and operating procedures.

• Partner with stakeholders to ensure seamless adoption of project deliverables while minimizing disruption.    

Who You Are:

• Relevant undergraduate degree or equivalent experience

• MBA or other relevant graduate level education a plus 

• Proven track record of leading large-scale transformation initiatives, preferably in a professional services, legal department or law firm environment.

• Develops and drives strategic plans and goals that align with the Firm’s core values. Acts with foresight, anticipating opportunities and challenges in changing market or business environments.

• Challenges the status quo and drives a relentless pursuit of excellence through continuous improvement. Leads by example and facilitates both simple and complex transformation efforts. Develops a culture of innovation that encourages new ideas, supports risk-taking, and learns from failure, positioning the firm as a market leader. 

• Applies knowledge, skills, and technology to solve problems and deliver results. Demonstrates critical thinking, commitment to quality and industry awareness within one’s field.

• Understands, anticipates, and meets the needs of internal and external clients. Uses a range of knowledge, skills, and behaviors, including organizational and legal industry awareness, to provide exceptional service and achieve expected outcomes.

• Conveys thoughts, ideas, and data in written and verbal form in a clear and concise manner. Demonstrates active listening and respectful consideration of thoughts, ideas and data shared by others. Adapts communication to fit the preferences and needs of the audience or situation.

• Upholds ethical principles and integrity in all interactions and actions. Demonstrates ability to reach rational conclusions using available data, known facts, and organizational values. Actively seeks input from stakeholders and subject matter experts. Uses experience, judgment, and discretion to anticipate potential challenges and builds solutions into planning process. Communicates decision-making process in a transparent manner and acknowledges responsibility for actions and decisions.

• Seeks opportunities for continuous growth to build knowledge, skills, and abilities. Makes sustained efforts to acquire, improve, and enhance business thinking and subject matter knowledge.

• Encourages and supports others to achieve goals and objectives. Nurtures a psychologically safe and inclusive environment and encourages a diversity of thought. Consistently develops and sustains productive working relationships by being present and engaged in accordance with the firm’s hybrid work policy. Takes an active role in contributing to the firm’s culture.

• Periodic travel to firm offices.

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Benefits and More

At Goodwin, you will discover your next career opportunity with a rewarding compensation package and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Flexible work arrangements and hybrid work schedule

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Life and disability insurance

• Retirement & Savings Plan

• Emergency back-up child and adult care

• Paid vacation, sick time off, and holidays

• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

• Employee recognition and reward programs

• Employee wellness and assistance programs

• Employee discounts and perks

​Consistent with the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Consistent with the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, an arrest and conviction record will not automatically disqualify a qualified applicant from consideration.

Goodwin Procter LLP is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Goodwin Procter LLP considers applicants for employment, and makes employment decisions without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or other legally protected status.
To request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process in the US, contact the Benefits Department by email or by phone at 617-570-1800. To request any disability or neurodivergence related accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process in the UK or Germany, please email the Recruiting Department. Any information you provide will be in the strictest confidence, and only used for the purpose of providing the accommodations needed. Requesting accommodations will not adversely affect the outcome of your application.
Please note: Various agencies of the United States government require employers to collect information on applicants and employees. The National Association of Law Placement (NALP) and certain clients request us to keep track of certain aggregate information regarding lawyers. EEO information requested on this application is for purposes of compliance with these recordkeeping and reporting requirements and to determine recruiting and employment patterns. Submission of this information is voluntary and refusal to provide it will not subject you to any adverse treatment.

This position is eligible for overtime: No

Target Salary Range: $350,000.00- $450,000.00