Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Smart Partners

Role Overview

• The Chief Operating Officer is a critical leadership appointment that will enable the Founding Partner to focus on legal practice, governance advisory, academic contribution, and strategic leadership.
• The COO will assume full operational responsibility for the day-to-day running of the firm, ensuring that people, processes, finances, and client service standards operate at the highest level of excellence without requiring the constant involvement of the Founding Partner.

Key Responsibilities
Firm Operations & Administration:

• Oversee the complete operational management of the firm, including facilities, IT systems, vendor contracts, and office management.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve firm-wide systems, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure regulatory and professional compliance with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and all applicable regulatory bodies.
• Manage the firm's administrative team, paralegals, and support staff.

Financial Management:

• Take full ownership of the firm's financial operations, including billing, collections, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Prepare and present a concise monthly financial dashboard to the Board of Governance — no more than one page.
• Monitor matter profitability, billing realisation rates, and partner productivity.
• Manage relationships with the firm's bankers, auditors, and financial advisors.

People & Performance Management:

• Lead recruitment, onboarding, performance appraisal, and retention across all staff levels.
• Build and sustain a high-performance culture consistent with the firm's values of excellence, integrity, and client service.
• Manage partner and associate relations, including addressing performance issues and conflicts with sensitivity and firmness.
• Design and implement a continuing legal education and professional development framework for lawyers and staff.

Client Service Standards:

• Develop and enforce written client service standards, including response time policies, matter update protocols, and quality control processes.
• Monitor client satisfaction and address service failures proactively.
• Oversee matter management systems to ensure timely delivery and quality of legal work.
• Serve as an escalation point for client service issues before they reach the Founding Partner.

Strategic & Business Development Support:

• Support the Founding Partner in identifying and pursuing strategic growth opportunities.
• Coordinate business development activities, including pitch preparation, client entertainment, and firm profile-raising initiatives.
• Manage the firm's profile, publications, events, and thought leadership calendar.
• Liaise with external stakeholders, including government agencies, regulators, and institutional clients at an operational level.

Qualifications & Experience
Essential:

• A relevant Degree in Law, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in law firm management, professional services operations, or a senior operational leadership role.
• Demonstrated track record of managing a P&L and firm finances independently.
• Experience directly managing a team of 15 or more people.
• Deep familiarity with legal practice management systems, billing platforms, and document management tools.

Preferred:

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification in management or leadership.
• Prior experience in a top-tier Nigerian or international law firm.
• Understanding of governance frameworks, board operations, and institutional compliance in Nigeria.
• Experience interfacing with government institutions, boards, and C-suite executives.

Competencies & Personal Attributes:

• Commands genuine authority and respect
• Impeccable discretion
• High emotional intelligence
• "Brings solutions, not just problems."
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Proficiency in legal practice management systems
• HR management — hiring through exit.