Finance Manager - Strategic Projects

The Finance Manager - Strategic Projects serves as a trusted business partner to firm leadership, providing strategic financial analysis, executive reporting, and decision support to drive firm performance. This role leads complex financial modelling, partner compensation analytics, investment business cases, and firmwide performance assessments.

The position combines strong analytical capabilities with business acumen to deliver insights that influence key strategic and operational decisions across the firm.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead strategic financial analyses to support executive leadership decision-making, including profitability, growth opportunities, and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Develop executive-level presentations and analysis for the Global CFO, Executive Committee, and other leadership groups.
• Identify trends, key performance indicators, and actionable insights to improve financial performance.
• Develop business cases and financial assessments for significant firm investments, technology initiatives, office expansion opportunities, and other strategic projects.
• Conduct scenario modelling, forecasting, and sensitivity analyses to support long-term planning and firm strategy.
• Prepare confidential performance materials used to support the annual partner compensation process.
• Recommend improvements to reporting processes, data visualization, and management information tools.
• Support other finance functional areas as needed, including reporting and analysis of regions, practices, and legal sectors.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance financial processes, reporting capabilities, and analytical tools.
• Support special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
• All members of the firm are encouraged to participate in the global Responsible Business program.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Demonstrated ability to perform sophisticated financial analysis and translate complex information into actionable business recommendations.
• Strong executive presence and ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, partners, lawyers, and Business Team professionals.
• Advanced financial modelling, forecasting, scenario planning, and decision-support capabilities.
• Experience developing and presenting analyses for executive-level audiences.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and quantitative skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and financial reporting tools.
• Experience working with large data sets, business intelligence platforms, and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar preferred).
• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders without direct authority.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of law firm economics, partner performance metrics, and professional services financial models.
• Familiarity with Elite 3E or other law firm financial management systems.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Seven (7) to 10 (ten) years of progressive experience in finance, FP&A, strategic planning, or business analysis.
• Experience within a law firm, professional services organization, consulting firm, or similarly complex business environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior executives with strategic financial decision-making.
• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, or related field required.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful candidate will

• Think strategically while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Finance and firm leadership.
• Translate financial data into compelling business insights.
• Influence decisions through analysis and effective communication.
• Balance technical expertise with strong relationship-building capabilities.
• Demonstrate sound business judgment and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.

HOURS

Core hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the willingness and ability to work additional hours as needed.

In Washington, D.C., the expected base salary range for this role is $150,500 to $213,500 per year.

In Baltimore, the expected base salary range for this role is $140,000 to $198,500 per year.

In New York, NY., the expected base salary range for this role is $160,500 to $227,000 per year.

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of pay at the time of posting; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications. This position is eligible for additional forms of compensation, which may include annual discretionary bonuses. Employees in this role are also eligible for benefits offered by the firm, subject to applicable plan terms and conditions, which currently include medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; and paid time off. Please review this link for more information regarding employee benefits in the United States.

This job description sets forth the responsibilities of this position and may be changed from time to time as shall be determined.

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or other factors protected by law.

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact our Benefits Department at LeaveofAbsence_US@hlc.com.