Matter Planning Analyst

Job Description

At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us.  Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.

We are seeking a Matter Planning Analyst to join the New York, DC, Pittsburgh, Boston, or Seattle office. The Matter Planning Analyst’s primary responsibilities include analyzing data related to matter performance, modeling scenarios for pricing arrangements, and creating reporting using both vendor technology and bespoke reporting, including excel and BI tools.  The role serves as the conduit between Finance, Marketing, IT and the firm’s timekeepers (as it relates to pricing and matter budgets); this role is part of a highly cross-functional team. This position will assist the Director and Managers on the team in the preparation and analysis of the Firm's historical work in order to be able to advise, propose and subsequently assist in the development and execution of Alternative Fee Agreements and the creation of matter budgets.  Candidates must be self-starters who possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent communication skills and a commitment to providing the highest quality client service are strongly preferred.

Key relationships
Practice Area Leaders, Office Managing Partners, Practice Directors/Administrators, Lawyers, Client Growth, Finance, IT and other key allied professionals

Key duties include but are not limited to
Essential duties
• Creating and evaluating alternative pricing scenarios (financial modelling and scenario analysis) and matter budgets
• Analyzing and reporting on matter performance (eg, budget vs actual) in a timely and accurate manner
• Creating and generating matter performance statistics and KPI reports for individual partners
• Working directly with attorneys, as well as Finance, Client Growth, IT and other departments
• Developing solutions to complex data analysis requests and reporting requirements while keeping in mind the scope, limitations and impact to other integrated solutions
• Critically evaluate information gathered from multiple sources, proactively reconcile conflicts, decompose high-level information into details, abstract up from low-level information to a general understanding, and distinguish user requests from the underlying true needs
• Work independently with lawyers to refine budgets and analyze performance
• Drive and challenge lawyers on their assumptions underpinning their budget proposal
• Possess strong situational awareness and the ability to diffuse difficult or contentious situations
• Ability to explain complex business concepts in easily understood ways

Experience and skills required
• Proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a fast-paced problem-solving environment
• Excellent attention to detail while also aware of the how assignments fit into the bigger picture
• Excellent analytical skills, most notably with Microsoft Excel and data cubes, are required; additional skills with PowerPoint, Reporting Services, SQL and financial management/budgeting applications are beneficial
• Ability to organize, analyze and summarize large amounts of data to identify key performance indicators, trends and core concepts
• Ability to develop and deploy reports using SQL, PowerBI, or similar reporting tools
• Anticipate and correct problems, establish conclusions and develop creative solutions
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple priorities in a changing and demanding environment
• Experience working both independently and in a team-oriented environment
• Ability to encourage and build positive relationships and communicate (both verbal and written) effectively with all co-workers and outside vendors
• Effectively manages and communicates confidential issues
• Proactive problem-solving mentality
• Team focused with a positive attitude and willingness to help

Education/Experience
• 5 or more years within Business Analysis, Data Analysis or Project Management (including budgeting)
• Experience working with multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Statistics or Information Technology or other relevant background, plus two or more years of experience preferably within a law or professional services firm; advanced degree - MBA, CPA, or equivalent preferred but not required

Additional abilities required
Working Conditions:
• General office environment, ability to travel to client sites, ability to work and communicate with a range of firms stakeholders
• Frequent computer use at workstation or office, up to and over eight hours at a time
• Frequently work at fast pace, multitasked, with unscheduled interruptions
• Responsibilities occasionally may require an adjusted work schedule, overtime, and evening/weekend hours in order to meet deadlines
• Office contact position requiring appropriate business attire
• Mobility within the office including movement from floor to floor
• Access information using a computer or mobile device
• Carrying a mobile device and accepting calls from colleagues during non-work hours
• This job operates in an office setting and is largely sedentary, requiring the routine use of a computer and other standard office equipment.  The ability to open file cabinets, lift files, bend and stand on a stool may also be required

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts the firm’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time. Information provided represents the usual method of accomplishing the duties in this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be considered in appropriate circumstances.

ABOUT THE FIRM

K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with approximately 2,000 lawyers across five continents. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S. based law firms in the world.  We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world.

The industry recognition the firm has garnered in the past five years emanates from the foundation of a global community aligned on behalf of our clients. The people at K&L Gates are committed to working together to create a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals.

For more information or to view other job opportunities, please click here to go back to our careers page.

Notice: We participate in E-Verify in certain Firm locations for purposes of verifying employment eligibility.

BENEFITS

We offer a dynamic work environment and excellent benefits.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Firm is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Firm that employment decisions shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Employment practices shall not be influenced or affected by virtue of a person’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. This policy governs all aspects of employment including, without limitation, recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, assignment and dismissal. In addition, it is the Firm’s policy to provide an environment that is free of unlawful harassment of any kind including, without limitation, that which is sexual, racial, age-related, disability-related or ethnic background-related.