A well-established international law firm is seeking an Administrative Operations Manager to strengthen and evolve its administrative workflow design. Based in Washington, DC, this leadership role will oversee administrative teams while helping establish a consistent, high-quality experience across locations. The ideal professional will bring structure to complex needs, develop people, improve processes, and ensure administrative services continue to meet the demands of a sophisticated firm. This is an excellent opportunity for a thoughtful people leader who enjoys balancing strategy with practical, day-to-day problem-solving.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead administrative teams across multiple functions, setting clear expectations and creating a culture centered on responsiveness, collaboration, and strong service.
- Shape consistent standards and practices for administrative support while allowing room to address the unique needs of individual teams and offices.
- Identify operational gaps and opportunities for improvement, then turn those observations into practical processes that make work easier and more effective.
- Develop administrative professionals through regular feedback, performance conversations, mentoring, and opportunities for growth.
- Partner with Human Resources on staffing, performance management, and broader talent initiatives.
- Act as a trusted resource to internal contacts on administrative needs and service delivery.
- Connect administrative teams across offices, encouraging communication and sharing effective practices rather than allowing each location to operate in a silo.
- Oversee administrative components of employee onboarding and offboarding processes.
- Provide operational support for firmwide meetings, special initiatives, and projects.
- Work with building vendors to address office needs and maintain reliable workplace services.
- Contribute to office transitions and projects, helping move plans from concept through completion.
Why You’ll Love Working Here:
- The attorneys and staff are all welcoming and are enjoyable to work with day to day.
- The firm loves to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and special employee events.
- Offers a competitive salary, medical, vision and dental insurance, and retirement package and the opportunity to help define the future of a global professional services organization.
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven leader. You have around eight years of experience, including at least three years leading or supervising others.
- People-focused. You know how to set expectations, provide meaningful feedback, and help others develop while creating an environment where people feel supported and accountable.
- Service-oriented. You understand that strong administrative operations are ultimately about making it easier for others to do their best work.
- Practical. You can spot an inefficient process without overcomplicating the solution.
- Connector. You are comfortable building relationships across different levels of a firm.
- Composed. You exercise sound judgment when priorities compete, deadlines move, and different stakeholders need attention at the same time.
- Coordinated. You have strong project-management instincts and can keep multiple workstreams, people, and deadlines moving in the right direction.
- Communicative. You express yourself clearly in writing and conversation.
The salary listed reflects the anticipated compensation range for this position. Actual compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, location, business considerations, and internal equity. Final offer amounts are determined at the employer’s discretion.
To apply, please send a resume to legal@hawthornelane.com.
Essential to Hawthorne Lane’s success is our ability to attract talent from a range of backgrounds. Our network reflects the diverse community around us, and we believe in a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.