Managing Director, Transformation & Strategy

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross-functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do.

Here, we’re not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world-class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer.

This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward-thinking peers.

The Managing Director, Strategy & Transformation (the “Managing Director”) will play a pivotal role driving the execution of the firm's strategy, transformation, and operational priorities. The incumbent will provide thought leadership, identify growth opportunities, and spearhead initiatives that foster innovation, operational excellence, and a sustainable competitive advantage. As a strategic thinker and results-oriented leader, the Managing Director will excel in navigating complexity and leading transformational initiatives with measurable impact across the firm. This role will oversee large-scale change efforts to ensure the firm remains agile, competitive, and aligned with evolving client and market needs. Reporting directly to the COO and leading a team of transformation and project managers, the successful candidate will collaborate closely with the firm’s senior leaders to promote organizational excellence and position the firm for long-term success.

What You Will Do:

Provide Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and champion the firm’s transformation roadmap that will lead to actualization of the firm’s long-term strategic priorities. Ensure these priorities are translated into actionable plans that align with the firm’s vision, market positioning, and competitive landscape with clear performance indicators and measurable impact.

• Guide the firm’s annual strategic planning process, working collaboratively with the firm’s senior leaders and internal stakeholders.

• Monitor, filter, and share relevant industry trends, competitive intelligence, and emerging opportunities in digestible format to inform decision-making or decision.

Drive Transformation and Operational Excellence:

• Oversee large-scale, complex change initiatives from conception through execution, ensuring that transformation efforts are not only aligned with firm-wide goals but also embedded within the firm’s cultural and operational fabric for long-term sustainability. Ensure clear objectives, milestones, and measurable outcomes.

• Support the COO in optimizing organizational structures, resource allocation, and operational workflows.

• Establish and lead a best-in-class team of transformation and project managers to drive the execution of critical projects and initiatives.

• Lead team’s efforts to modernize systems and processes, leveraging technology and automation to drive efficiency.

• Direct the implementation of operational changes that streamline workflows, reduce costs, and enhance quality and productivity.

• Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging data, technology, and automation to modernize operations.

Execution and Collaboration:

• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the COO, ensuring alignment across priorities and initiatives.

• Act as a central point of coordination for cross-functional collaboration and communication to break down silos and promote transparency.

• Build strong relationships with firm and business unit leaders, functional heads, and other stakeholders to achieve alignment and collaboration.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership, providing insights and recommendations to guide decision-making.

• Promote transparency and communication across teams, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and engaged.

• Design and implement analytics frameworks and KPIs to track performance, assess strategic impact, and evaluate the success of transformation initiatives.

• Support the firm in adopti