Operations Manager

Dentons is designed to be different. We are driven to always be the firm of the future, to challenge the status quo, and to provide holistic business solutions to our clients in new and innovative ways. We are the lightbulb moments. The bold ideas. We are the world's largest global law firm, with 12,000+ people across 80+ countries. Driven by the diverse perspectives of our people, our clients, and our communities, we combine local knowledge with global insight.

About the Role

To support its growth, the Brussels Office is looking for an Operations Manager to ensure the proper administration, continuity and orderly administration of the firm’s operational activities, acting under the authority of the Co-Managing Partners and the partnership in realizing both its more strategic goals and actions, and its execution.

The role reports to Belgium Co-Managing Partners (CMPs) and the Europe Chief Operating Officer (COO). Its goal is to safeguard the integrity of internal processes, the reliability of all support staff functions and the alignment of the office’s operations with the firm’s global standards and professional legal obligations.

Responsibilities

Operation Governance

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Brussels Office, ensuring continuity, quality and reliability of administrative and business support functions on site and available through the Dentons network (“support staff”).
• Encourage and facilitate collaboration among partners in client development, service delivery, pro bono work, innovation, procurement and marketing initiatives.
• Organize and support meetings with the Co-Managing Partners and the partnership at large to facilitate open communication on Belgian-specific and firm-wide developments.
• Liaise with counterparts from other Dentons’ offices in Europe as well as with European management & support staff.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost efficiencies, regional synergies and quality of service delivery, and manage vendor relationships and related service agreements.
• Oversee housing management, including liaison with the landlord and with external consultants, e.g. brokers & architects.
• Oversee Workplace Access and Safety on site.

Financial Administration

• Monitor and manage key financial metrics, including fee-earner utilization, time recording, billing, lock-up and cash collections, ensuring compliance with the Firm's financial policies. Report on these matters to the Co-Managing Partners and the partnership.
• Contribute to the preparation of the Belgian office's annual budget as part of the Firm's annual budget process and monitor budget execution throughout the year.
• Contribute to the monitoring of the Belgian office's profitability plan in alignment with the Firm's profitability strategy.
• Liaise with and provide instructions to remote finance and accounting teams. Ensure the timely processing of invoice payments, credit card and bank reports.
• Ensure local financial and administrative records are accurate, up to date and readily available.

Strategic and Administrative Support to Partners

• Support the Co-Managing Partners and the partnership in day-to-day management and in the execution of strategic and business plans and act as a sounding board on these matters to the partnership.
• Contribute, together with the Co-Managing Partners, to the development and implementation of a comprehensive local strategy aligned with the Firm's global strategy.
• Identify and recommend relevant talent at all levels, and coordinate recruitment and promotion processes.
• Act as team manager for support staff resources, including time and attendance management.
• Draft formal internal documentation, operational policies and management reports on behalf of, or in support of, the partnership and the Firm.
• Undertake any other duties as instructed by the Co-Managing Partners and/or the Europe COO from time to time.

Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, tax, employment and social security obligations applicable to the Belgian office.
• Support the Co-Managing Partners in ensuring compliance with ethical rules and local Bar requirements, including the management of conflicts of interest.
• Coordinate the Brussels Bar annual third-party account reporting.
• Collaborate with global and regional risk and compliance teams on all issues related to risk in the Belgian office, including the management of third-party claims.

Requirements

• 5 - 10+ years of experience in operations, administration, or office management within a law firm or comparable professional-services or consulting environment.
• Accounting experience is a plus.
• A Prevention Advisor certification in Belgium would be a plus.
• Fluency in English is a must (C1 level), Dutch and/or French native preferred.
• Strong command of legal administrative standards, including confidentiality, professional ethics, and regulatory obligations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex operational environments and coordinate multidisciplinary support teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to draft formal internal documentation, operational policies, and management reports.
• Proficiency in project management, process optimization, and change implementation.
• Comfortable engaging with stakeholders across all levels of the organization, from Partners to support staff, building trust and credibility at every level.
• Proven people management experience, with a genuine interest in developing and supporting teams.
• Pragmatic and solutions-oriented, able to navigate competing priorities and make sound judgment calls under pressure.
• Dynamic and proactive, bringing energy and momentum to projects and initiatives.

Benefits

Essential to our success as a global law firm, is our ability to attract and retain the best talent from a diverse range of backgrounds. We offer a work environment where everyone can reach their potential and we have an inclusive culture which respects individual differences.

Dentons is always looking to invest in the highest-quality talent, recognizing that our success is built on the diverse and unique strengths of each of the members of our Firm.

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all.

We offer a competitive salary package, aligned with experience and responsibilities. For this role, we offer an average of € 6,000 to € 8,000 monthly gross compensation for a full-time position.

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