Practice Manager

ABOUT GOWLING WLG

At Gowling WLG, our commitment to excellence begins with our people. As an international law firm with offices in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we're proud to recruit and retain top talent who bring energy, insight, and a singular focus on delivering exceptional experiences – for our clients and each other. We're intentional about building a workplace that's both high-performing and supportive, ensuring that everyone is empowered to do their best work and reach their full potential. Our culture is grounded in our shared values: Raise the Bar, Embrace Differences, and Thrive Together. These values shape how we collaborate, lead, and succeed – across teams, time zones, and career paths. Whether you're pursuing a role in law or business services, explore what's possible and make your mark with Gowling WLG. PROFILE The Practice Manager supports the effective operation and performance of the Firm's practice groups by coordinating business-planning activities, managing operational processes, monitoring financial and performance information, and supporting the execution of strategic initiatives. Reporting to the Senior Practice Director and working closely with Practice Directors, Practice Group Leaders, Department Chairs and Business Services leaders, the Practice Manager translates approved priorities into coordinated action and ensures effective follow-through. The role focuses on operational execution, reporting, analysis and coordination; strategic direction and final decisions remain with the Senior Practice Director. This position can be based out of either our Vancouver or Calgary office. RESPONSIBILITIES • Coordinate the day-to-day operational activities of assigned practice groups and support the implementation of approved business plans, priorities and strategic initiatives. • Translate practice priorities into clear action plans, timelines, responsibilities and deliverables, and monitor progress through completion. • Develop and maintain practice-management tools, dashboards, trackers and reporting processes that provide visibility over performance and key initiatives. • Compile, validate and analyze financial and operational information, including production, billings, collections, realization, utilization, profitability, work allocation, and matter and client performance. • Prepare regular reporting packages and supporting materials for Practice Directors and practice leadership, identify relevant trends, variances, risks and opportunities, and support annual budgeting and forecasting activities. • Coordinate practice group and leadership meetings, including agendas, materials, minutes, decisions and follow-up on action items. • Manage practice-related projects from planning through implementation, tracking milestones, responsibilities, dependencies and outcomes, and escalating risks or delays. • Assist with workforce planning, capacity and workload monitoring, and flag emerging resource gaps to practice leadership. • Support the onboarding and integration of lawyers and legal professionals and coordinate practice-specific engagement, development and knowledge-transfer initiatives with Legal Talent and People & Culture. • Serve as a central point of coordination between practice leadership and Business Services, including Finance, People & Culture, Legal Talent, Marketing and Business Development, Knowledge Management, Innovation and Technology, and Legal Support Services. • Coordinate Firm-wide initiatives affecting legal professionals and practice groups, promoting consistent implementation across practices and offices. • Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting and service delivery; develop procedures, templates and best practices; and support change-management activities. • Perform any other related duties as required.