Belgium Chief Operating Officer

Position title: Belgium Chief Operating Officer (Bel COO)

Reports to: Belgium Country Managing Partners (CMPs) and the Europe Chief Managing Officer (Europe CMO)

Position Summary

The Bel COO is responsible for the day-to-day management of operations and financial performance of Dentons Europe LLP’s Belgian office. This includes supporting the CMPs, partners, fee-earners, and business support personnel, while contributing to strategic leadership and execution.

Key Responsibilities

Management and communication / Talent management and coaching

• Manage the operations and the financial performance of the Belgian office and provide support and advice to the CMPs and the Belgian Partners.
• Develop and implement – in conjunction with the Belgian CMPs, a comprehensive strategy aligned with the Firm’s strategies.
• Encourage and facilitate collaboration among Belgian partners, supporting initiatives in client development, service delivery, pro bono work, innovation, procurement, and marketing.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Belgian office and the business support teams, including the remote business services, identify opportunities to  improve cost efficiencies, regional synergies and quality of service delivery and make relevant proposals to the CMPs and the partners.
• Communicate and collaborate with the key stakeholders to contribute to management programs and strategic plans.
• Create a channel for the exchange of information between the CMPs, the partners and the Business Support teams.
• Organize and lead meetings with the CMPs to encourage and facilitate open communication and collaboration with respect to client development, synergies and other Belgian specific and Firm wide developments
• Monitor and evaluate feedback from clients and partners and identify and implement actions/improvements.
• Undertake any other duties as instructed by the CMP’s and/or Europe CEO and/or Europe CMO from time to time.
• Demonstrate leadership through high performance and alignment with the Firm’s core values and culture.
• In collaboration with the CMPs, support the implementation and communication of global and regional talent initiatives.
• Foster a culture of growth and development through continuous feedback, coaching and mentoring.
• Play a key role, alongside the CMPs, in the performance review process by providing meaningful quantitative and qualitative feedback.
• Ensure high levels of engagement, commitment and satisfaction among personnel in the Belgian office.
• Promote Dentons as an employer of choice to attracts top talent on the Belgian legal market.

Strategy and planning

• Monitor and anticipate market trends, challenges and opportunities and propose strategic initiatives accordingly.
• Contribute to the development and execution of the Firm’s strategy in Belgium, with a focus on revenue growth, market position, operational efficiency and profitability.

Clients and client service delivery

• Promote a collaborative approach, client-centric culture across the Belgian office.
• Lead the implementation of the Firm’s strategy, initiatives and tools related to client development, revenue generation and client service.

Financial performance, profitability and operating agility

• Monitor the implementation of the Belgian office profitability plan in alignment with the Firm’s profitability strategy.
• Contribute to the preparation of the Belgian office annual budget as part of the Firm’s annual budget process and be responsible for the budget monitoring.
• Manage and monitor key financial metrics including fee-earner utilization, time recording, billing, lock-up and cash collections, ensuring compliance with the Firm’s financial policies.
• Collaborate with the CMPs to develop an effective management structure and business support model aligned with the Firm’s operating agility model.

Compliance and risk management

• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, tax, employment and social security obligations applicable to the Belgian office.
• Support the CMPs in ensuring compliance with ethical rules and local bar requirements.
• Assist in representing the Firm before the local bar and in managing issues relating to compliance with ethical rules, including but not limited to conflicts of interest.
• 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.

Expectations

Personal attributes required

• Strategic thinker with the ability to implement the Firm’s vision, mission and long-term goals.

• Demonstrates confidence, enthusiasm and a positive, proactive attitude.
• Strong team player who prioritizes collective success over individual recognition.
• Collaborative mindset with a focus on building consensus and fostering cooperation
• Deeply committed to the Firm’s vision, strategy and core values.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Proven experience in developing and executing strategic and business plans.
• Strong management capabilities and sound financial acumen.
• High emotional intelligence and self - awareness.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a track record of working effectively with managers and lawyers across different multiple jurisdictions.
• Skilled in persuasion and diplomacy, with the ability to independently manage relationships with demanding internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated coaching and mentoring abilities to support and develop top talent.
• Expertise in financial management, talent development, and operating efficiency.
• Fluency in English is required, proficiency in Dutch or French preferred

About Dentons

Dentons is the world's largest law firm, delivering quality and value to clients around the globe. Dentons' global team builds agile, tailored solutions to meet the local, national and global needs of private and public clients with offices in more than 200 locations across 80 countries. The firm has no single headquarters or dominant culture. We are diverse in terms of geography, language and nationalities.

What we can Offer

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.

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.

Should you have any questions please contact us via email to Career.Brussels@dentons.com.

www.dentons.com.