Chief People Officer - Law Firm
INTERESTED IN BUILDING A TEAM WITH A BRAND AND A CULTURE THAT TAKES A STAND?
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER FOR OUR INNOVATIVE Intellectual property (IP) LAW FIRM
We assist mid-market businesses, family offices, and successful entrepreneurs to grow and protect their competitive advantage through investments in intellectual property law. We are Dallas-based law firm with a business plan to grow by 300% in the next 5 years along the way to becoming the dominant intellectual property (IP) law boutique in Dallas, possibly the State of Texas.
We considered COO/Chief Operating Officer, “Chief of Staff,” Integrator, PLA (Professional Legal Administrator), and even “#2” for the title for this role, but since our mission as a law firm is to provide unexpectedly great service while creating a compelling culture to deliver on that brand promise, we believe “Chief People Officer” best describes the kind of person we want to add to our team.
Background to the Chief People Officer - Law Firm Role
Unlike most law firms, we operate according to the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) or “Traction” and are founded by the visionary/CEO, who maintains a controlling interest. This means you will direct report to the CEO and will NOT be required to waste time and energy trying to please multiple partners/owners, who may or may not have business acumen and leadership skills. You will also work with an entrepreneur with a proven track record of success. As the “#2” for a firm that plans to grow significantly in the next 5 years, you will have a wonderful opportunity to develop professionally and personally. You also will have a significant amount of autonomy in this role to achieve these goals as you demonstrate your abilities.
While previous PLA experience is our preference, we are open to considering candidates with a proven track record in professional services leadership and management. We aren’t calling this role a “PLA” because it is more focused on strategic outcomes than primarily operations. However, we expect who we hire to initially devote significant time to building our operational platform to enable the growth we are seeking.
If you are still interested after reading below, please contact us to further explore whether our 5-year+ plan aligns with yours. Because we are serious about our culture and committed to our business plan, we are being very careful with filling this position so that we find the right person (values, temperament, and character as well as skills and experience) and ensure that we are a fit for qualified candidates that express an interest in us.
If the thought of building a “team with a brand and a culture that takes a stand” lights you up, we may be your ideal next position.
Core Responsibilities
In addition to leading, managing, and accountability (LMA), the core responsibilities for this position are:
Running EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System also called “Traction”)
People and Culture
Business Plan and Profit and Loss
Strategic Recruiting and Growth
Special Projects and Initiatives
EOS responsibilities include running weekly L10 meetings, one-on-one meetings with direct reports, and same-page meeting with the CEO as well as the quarterly and annual meeting pulse. Other critical EOS-related activities are: (1) proactively monitoring weekly, monthly, and quarterly report cards (KPIs) to manage the business and (2) creating and implementing processes for all core functions and ensure that each process is documented, “followed by all”, and improved over time as we learn new information.
Great chemistry with the visionary CEO, consistent with the book Rocket Fuel, is also critical to success at this position.
Strategic Near-Term Goals
Here is a subset of our strategic goals from our business plan.
Develop each of the three core functions/business units (Marketing & Business Development, Legal, and Finance & Accounting) and build an elite level leadership team by hiring and developing an A-player to lead each of the business units
Help us win “Best Places to Work in Dallas” again
Develop a compensation plan that will allow us to scale revenue by at least 3x in 5 years — without sacrificing culture, in spite of the growth
Launching a new version of our website
Create a marketing and business development plan to support this growth
Document and automate all of our processes and KPIs
Embrace the use of AI and other technologies to enhance client service delivery
Servant Leadership & Success Through Others
Success Behaviors
Success in this position requires leadership skills and willingness to put the team first.
Magnetic leadership presence and skills (e.g., ability to succeed through others as well as individual effort) with an ability to create an “accountability culture” and simultaneously scale the business
Consistently translates vision from the CEO and implements the best aspects of it into the organization, while maintaining an ability to diplomatically push back when the mission requires it
Strong EQ, maturity, and openness
An unwavering entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to exceptional effort
Track record of a commitment to learning and self-development
Pride in ability to “get stuff done” (GSD) and work at a face pace, juggling sometimes conflicting priorities — all with a positive attitude and resiliency
Champions our Core Values:
o Great attitude … put others first
o Someone you can count on
o Driven to make an impact
o Courage to do the right thing
o Always open to a better way
Next Steps
If you’d like to start a conversation, please fill out the forms below completely (attention to detail matters). Once we hear from you, we will review what you sent and reach out to you if we think there is a possibility of working together. To further the conversation, we may share with you confidentially our business plan, accountability chart, strategic goals, and culture documents. If you like what you see, we would love to schedule a Zoom interview at your convenience.
Step 1: Take Culture Index Survey
We use Culture Index as a behavioral assessment tool in the hiring process because it is accurate at predicting certain workplace behaviors that are required for success in a role. The survey is a short two questions taken online that helps us determine whether we would be a fit based on objective measurements. While only one of the factors we consider, we have found Culture Index to be very accurate and helpful to both the firm and candidates.
Step 2: Tell Us About Yourself
Step 3: Upload Your Introductory Video
Shoot a not more than 3-minute video answering 5 questions after introducing yourself:
Why are you interested in this position?
What do you know about the company?
What is your ideal work environment
What are your strengths?
Where do you see yourself in five years?