Practice Director at Smart Partners
Smart Partners was founded by Tijani Iyemifokhae , a graduate of Industrial Chemistry, University of Benin with MBA (Human Resources) Lagos State University Ojo. He has more than a decade work experiences that span across some leading law firms as Practice Development Manager.
At Fine and Country International (West Africa) he was the Head of Operations and Strategy. For the years spent at Fine and Country, he developed; Sales, Marketing, HR Structures and Policies, Business model and Operational Processes. Mr. Iyemifokhae has attended series of local (Lagos Business School) and International trainings. He is a talented Strategist with multitasking abilities.
We are seeking an experienced Practice Director to lead the day-to-day operations of a prestigious law firm and serve as the operational second-in-command to the Founding Partner.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee firm operations, administration, IT, facilities, and compliance
Manage budgeting, billing, collections, financial reporting, and profitability tracking
Lead recruitment, performance management, employee engagement, and staff development
Drive client service excellence and resolve escalated client concerns
Support business development, firm branding, events, and strategic growth initiatives
Liaise with regulators, government agencies, institutional clients, and key stakeholders
Requirements
Minimum 10 years experience in law firm management, professional services, or senior operations leadership
Proven experience managing finances/P&L independently
Experience leading teams of 15+ employees
Degree in Law, Business Administration, Finance, or related field
Strong knowledge of legal practice management, billing, and document management systems
Preferred
MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification
Experience in a top-tier Nigerian or international law firm
Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and board operations
Key Competencies
Leadership & People Management
Financial Acumen
Operational Excellence
Stakeholder Management
Client Service Excellence
High Integrity & Confidentiality