Summary

The Billing Manager oversees and coordinates the activities of the billing team while working closely with fellow Billing Managers in a highly collaborative and cross-functional environment. This role is responsible for managing workloads, ensuring the timely and accurate issuance of invoices in alignment with client deadlines and the Firm’s internal accounting close calendar, and serving as a key liaison for the Firm’s partners. The Billing Manager also leads efforts in staff recruitment, training, supervision, and professional development.

This position is highly visible and requires a strong leader with the ability to prioritize, plan, and direct the department. The Billing Manager must be very organized and collaborative, comfortable interacting with partners and senior management, and must be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, complex environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Maintain a comprehensive understanding of complex clients, billing arrangements, Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCGs,) and e-billing challenges to proactively anticipate risks, and ensure appropriate resources are focused on managing the successful execution of managing risks and issues
Manage daily activities and operations of the billing staff, including:
- Monitoring of operating metrics to identify delays and bottlenecks in invoice processing
- Directing billing staff to complete activities in a timely and efficient manner – focused on meeting key deadlines and service expectations
- Ensuring escalation of issues requiring support from other team members and functions to ensure issues are identified appropriately and in a timely manner
- Ensuring billing staff follow up on and resolve rejected invoices, unallocated and unapplied balances and bill packet preparations
- Overseeing the workload of team members and collaborating with the broader billing management team to balance work by identifying available resources; allocate work accordingly and oversee clean transitions
Ensure accurate and efficient preparation of client invoices. Follow up with the Billing Partners and/or their delegates; escalate to office or practice leadership, as necessary
Provide mentoring, coaching and career development direction for the members of the department to provide service excellence to all internal and external clients. Complete annual performance reviews for the billing staff
Work in a collaborative fashion with other departments within the revenue cycle (conflicts and new business, financial terms management, pricing, e-billing, accounts receivable, and revenue management) to minimize potential delays in the billing/collection cycle
Identify and evaluate ways to improve accuracy and efficiency of the billing process, collaborate to ensure best practices are implemented, and lead the implementation efforts
Monitor adherence to Accounting policies and procedures.
Other duties as assigned.

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. If an estimated salary range for this role is available, it will be provided in our Target Salary Range section. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

Target Salary Range

$138,000 - $157,000 if located in Illinois or Washington D.C.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or other Business field, or equivalent work experience
A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in role with significant operational and supervisory responsibilities
Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with senior management, and to work collaboratively across departments and with multiple stakeholders
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Adobe Acrobat

Preferred:

Work in a law firm or other professional services firm
Experience with eBilling Hub, and electronic billing vendor sites
Experience with Elite 3E

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

Strong organizational skills
Strong attention to detail
Good judgment
Strong interpersonal communication skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
Able to work under pressure
Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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