Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm. The firm has been ranked in the top three on The American Lawyer's prestigious A-List for eight consecutive years and #1 on Law.com's UK A-List twice in the past three years—rankings that honor the "best of the best" law firms.

The firm has approximately 2,500 lawyers and professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology, and government in Boston, Chicago, Dublin, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.

The firm has consistently been recognized for its leading practices in many areas, including asset management, private equity, M&A, finance, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation & enforcement, privacy & cybersecurity, and business restructuring.

Ropes & Gray is an equal opportunity employer.

We are seeking a dynamic, strategic leader to guide our administrative operations across the West Coast and Asia offices. This role requires someone who can navigate complex organizational relationships, manage change with empathy and precision, and operate seamlessly between the strategic and the hands-on.

As a key member of the Global Administrative Services leadership team, you will provide vision and structure for office administration across multiple regions, ensuring local alignment with firm-wide goals while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture. You’ll be a trusted advisor to partners and senior leadership — and an inspiring manager and mentor to administrative professionals at every level.

This is a rare opportunity for a forward-thinking professional who thrives in a fast-paced, global environment and takes pride in building cohesive teams, improving processes, and strengthening firm culture across borders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Alignment

• Serve as the strategic and operational link between firm-wide initiatives and regional office needs, ensuring a unified “one firm” approach.
• Partner with the Global Administrative Services Officer and Office Managing Partners to execute local strategies aligned with global priorities.
• Act as a trusted advisor to firm leaders and a connector across regions, encouraging transparency, consistency, and collaboration.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance administrative efficiency, quality, and service delivery.

Operational & People Leadership

• Provide day-to-day oversight for San Francisco office over direct and indirect team members while offering guidance and coaching to West Coast and Asia office administrator/managers.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate administrative teams — setting clear goals, promoting accountability, and fostering professional growth.
• Encourage a culture of proactive support, problem-solving, and service excellence among Legal Executive Assistants, Legal Administrative Assistants and other administrative staff.
• Support onboarding and integration for new attorneys and business professionals in collaboration with Legal Recruiting and HR.

Change Management & Innovation

• Lead organizational and operational change with clarity, empathy, and strong communication.
• Identify and implement best practices, sharing innovations across offices to drive consistency and efficiency.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders on process improvement, resource optimization, and technology adoption.

Financial & Facilities Oversight

• Develop and manage office administration budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency.
• Oversee vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and performance reviews to ensure high-quality, cost-effective service.
• Manage local facilities, space planning, and office build-outs or moves, minimizing disruption and maximizing efficiency.
• Partner with Operations, IT, and Business Continuity teams to ensure safety, sustainability, and readiness for emergencies.

Culture, Engagement & Community

• Build a positive, inclusive office culture that reflects the firm’s values and promotes collaboration, respect, and engagement.
• Organize and oversee social, community, and well-being initiatives to strengthen morale and connection.
• Represent the firm in community partnerships and local initiatives that enhance the firm’s presence and impact.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with firm-wide administrative leaders — including HR, Finance, IT, Legal Recruiting, and Conference Services — to ensure cohesive support delivery.
• Work closely with the Global Administrative Leadership Team to drive the “Proactive Assistant” initiative and other firm-wide programs.
• Participate in global projects and committees to shape administrative strategy and share best practices across regions.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree required.  Foreign language skills a plus.
• 15+ years of progressive management experience in a global professional services or law firm environment.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change and managing across multiple geographies and time zones.
• Strong understanding of law firm operations, professional culture, and client service expectations.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills — with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and operational execution.
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to manage complex interpersonal dynamics.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-performing workplace culture.

Ropes & Gray is proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our business support team members. The firm also offers comprehensive health and well-being benefits, personal and professional development, career growth opportunities and a collegial and supportive culture. The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below and represents our good faith and reasonable estimate of the starting salary range at the time of posting. In addition, this role is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on performance. The actual offered rate for this position will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors, including qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data and consideration of internal equity.

• San Francisco, CA ($167,800 - $268,450)

WORKING CONDITIONS

Office environment.  Incumbent is expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

Ability to travel both domestically and internationally required.

This position requires hybrid on-site presence as an essential function of the role. Consistent and predictable on-site presence is required for ongoing business continuity, professional development and effective collaboration with colleagues and management.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of the job.  It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of functions, responsibilities or requirements.