Chief of Staff Full Time

Welcome to Vela Wood, a boutique, full-service law firm with a local feel making a global impact. We specialize in Venture Transactions, M&A, Gaming Law, Private Equity, Fund Representation, and now Litigation and Bankruptcy. We are expanding our expertise beyond traditional boundaries! As we continue to broaden our reach, we remain focused on how we can best serve our clients, grow and reward our talented team, and leverage cutting-edge tools and methodologies to redefine the modern law firm.

Our Philosophy:
At Vela Wood, we are constantly trying to reinvent what it means to practice law. We explore every avenue to make this firm a better place – for our team, for our clients, and for our communities.

About The Role:
At Vela Wood, we are passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, investors, and high-growth companies with strategic legal counsel. As we continue to expand, we are seeking a Chief of Staff to support firm leadership in executing strategic initiatives and driving operational efficiency across departments. This role will be based at our Dallas headquarters office.

The Chief of Staff will report directly to the Managing Partner and act as a trusted advisor to the firm’s leadership team, ensuring alignment between strategic objectives and execution. This individual will lead high-level strategic projects, enhance cross-functional collaboration, and provide critical support to senior partners. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and possesses strong problem-solving and communication skills. This role is primarily in office and will require 1-2 nights travel per month. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for driving organizational success, we invite you to apply for the Chief of Staff role at Vela Wood.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Project Management: Drive key firm-wide initiatives, ensuring timely execution and alignment with the firm’s long-term objectives
• Cross-Departmental Coordination: Facilitate collaboration across legal teams, business operations, finance, and HR to improve efficiency and streamline processes
• Leadership Support: Serve as a thought partner to senior leadership, providing insights and recommendations on firm growth, market trends, and operational improvements
• Process Optimization: Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and overall firm performance
• Business Development Support: Work with senior partners to develop business development initiatives, as well as represent the firm at events, conferences, and client functions
• Provide day-to-day support to the Managing Partner: Work closely with the Managing Partner and ensure that the Managing Partner’s work day is as efficient as possible
• Executive Assistant Oversight: Manage and oversee the firm’s executive assistants, ensuring effective support for leadership and operational efficiency
• Special Projects: Lead and execute high-impact initiatives as directed by firm leadership, including potential expansion opportunities, technology integrations, and efficiency enhancement

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, strategy, operations or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 7+ years of experience in a Chief of Staff, strategic operations, or project management role within a professional services firm, legal environment, or high-growth company
• Strong background in strategic planning, business operations, or management consulting
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to execute on complex projects independently
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience managing multiple stakeholders
• Exceptional organizational skills, detail-oriented, project management, and multitasking skills
• Preference for past experience in venture, M&A, or investment banking
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to shifting priorities
• Experience working with legal professionals or in a law firm environment is a plus

We have a fun team culture where we care about your interests and the time you spend at work as well as at home. Here’s why we think you’ll love working at Vela Wood:

• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Excellent firm-paid medical/dental vision insurance
• Matching 401(k) retirement plan
• Firm-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance, as well as life insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Generous Paid Time Off and paid Parental Leave benefits
• Work abroad opportunities – including firm-subsidized work trips (Past trips were to Portugal, Spain, and Mexico!)
• Inspiring and approachable leadership team
• A collaborative and team-oriented work environment
• Opportunity to work directly with senior leadership in shaping the firm’s strategy and growth
• A dynamic and entrepreneurial culture with a commitment to innovation and excellence

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