Corporate Department Operations Specialist

Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide. We represent companies at every stage of development, from entrepreneurial start-ups to multibillion-dollar global corporations, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance and advise them. The firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys in 17 offices: 13 in the U.S., two in China, and two in Europe. Our broad spectrum of practices and entrepreneurial spirit allow exceptional opportunities for professional achievement and career growth. As Corporate Department Operations Specialist, you will drive overall operational performance and efficiency for one or more of the groups in the Corporate Department. This role demands a dynamic individual who can exercise independent judgment, influence and leadership, manage (and handle) adapting priorities, improve communication, build consensus across diverse stakeholders, and collaborate effectively across teams. A Corporate Department Operations Specialist acts as a strategic advisor and problem solver, identifying gaps and bridging them across an array of operational matters. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Operational Support: Serve as primary liaison between the group’s partners and the firm’s administrative teams, acting independently and utilizing discretion whenever possible to facilitate decision-making, enabling the partners to focus primarily on client work and business development. Recruiting: Monitor, identify and communicate the group’s recruiting needs to Attorney Recruiting including obtaining approvals for new reqs, preparing job descriptions, screening candidates, organizing interviews, obtaining offer approvals, etc. Coordinate with Career Development on the slotting process from the firm’s Launch program based on guidance from the partners. Manage and optimize the group’s participation in the firm’s Summer Associate program and Launch program. Ensure a seamless onboarding and integration process for new associates. Attorney Productivity and Development: Support the partners in the firm’s associate and counsel performance review process, equipping partners to deliver impactful leadership and guidance to associates. Coordinate with the partners to ensure the group’s associates and counsel are receiving all necessary training and support from the Career Development and Professional Development teams. Monitor associate and counsel utilization, alerting members to consistently underutilized attorneys, and assist in addressing the underutilization. Assist in work allocation staffing requests, collaborating with Career Development when necessary. Act as the group’s liaison to the Human Resources team on issues relating to attorney performance, compensation, leaves, transfers, visa issues, etc. Assist in preparing the business case for associate and counsel promotions. Support the group’s process for identifying future member candidates and assist in compiling the business case for member promotions. Business Development: Serve as point of contact with the firm’s Business Development, Marketing and Communications teams, coordinating opportunities and driving event management. Facilitate business plan development. Ensure members have support for identifying and pitching new business prospects. Serve as point of contact with the firm’s Pricing Team and Pricing Committee. Financial Performance: Monitor practice group and member financial performance. Provide members with monthly financial performance reports, alerting them to performance issues. Monitor senior associate and counsel margin and assist in addressing attorneys with consistently below target margins. Group Events: Organize group meetings, summits, dinners, summer associate events, etc. Organize periodic alumni events. Please note that this job description does not contain an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position, and the firm may change or assign other duties and responsibilities over time with or without notice. Education and/or Work Experience Requirements: Bachelor's degree strongly preferred. Minimum five years’ of progressively responsible experience in a similar practice management role. Law firm experience is highly preferred. Must be able to work independently and handle sensitive matters with discretion. Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with PowerBI and Smartsheet preferred. Experience analyzing financial data and translating analysis into actionable insights. Excellent project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills Highly effective communicator with strong writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Flexible, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines. Possesses a strong ability to work successfully across multiple functional teams in the firm. The primary location for this job posting is in San Francisco, but other locations may be listed. The actual base pay offered will depend upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to the selected candidate’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, professional certifications and licenses, and work location. The anticipated pay range for this position is as follows: San Francisco, Palo Alto: $116,875 - $158,125 per year. The compensation for this position may include a discretionary year-end merit bonus based on performance. We offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package. Benefits information can be found here. Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). careers.wsgr.com Wilson Sonsini is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, as well as the venture firms, private equity firms, and investment banks that finance them. We represent more than 300 public enterprises and 3,000 private companies in a wide range of today’s cutting-edge industries, from AI and fintech to life sciences and mobility. For more than 60 years, our attorneys and professional staff have created a unique working environment. With deep roots in the fast-paced and innovative world of Silicon Valley, the firm fosters an entrepreneurial spirit and team-oriented approach for all employees, providing professional and personal development opportunities and encouraging all departments to promote a stable and optimal work/life balance. Wilson Sonsini is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce globally. We have built a culture in which employees of all backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences are encouraged and empowered to achieve their maximum potential. Our firm is consistently recognized among the top law firms in annual diversity rankings. For example, Wilson Sonsini ranked No. 2 among firms with more than 601 attorneys in Law360’s 2025 Diversity Snapshot. Additionally, in 2025, for the seventh consecutive year, Wilson Sonsini achieved Mansfield Plus Certification, and in 2026, for the sixth consecutive year, the firm achieved a top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index. We are also dedicated to enhancing the communities in which we live and work by providing legal services, financial support, and volunteer services to worthy agencies and individuals in need. In 2025, Wilson Sonsini attorneys and staff provided more than 80,500 pro bono hours, participated in 125 community service projects, and raised over $130,000 for charitable organizations and causes. In addition, the Wilson Sonsini Foundation contributed more than $2.35 million to 112 law-related organizations and 129 community organizations in 2025. Wilson Sonsini has 17 offices in 16 technology and business hubs worldwide. Austin, TX Boston, MA Boulder, CO Brussels, Belgium Century City, CA Hong Kong London Los Angeles, CA New York, NY Palo Alto, CA Salt Lake City, UT San Diego, CA San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Shanghai (China) Washington, D.C. Wilmington, DE