Chief Operating Officer

Equity Partners have identified the need for a dedicated operational leader to turn their vision into action.

Our mission is clear: to be the best company in Texas - by building genuine client relationships, embracing cutting-edge innovation, and creating life-enriching careers for our people. Our systems, people, and culture are strong - and now we are ready to elevate our operational infrastructure to ensure our growth without sacrificing culture.

As VW expands, the Equity Partners have identified the need for a dedicated operational leader to turn their vision into action. The COO will take ownership of firm operations, aligning departments, strengthening processes, and enabling growth without compromising culture, thereby giving partners and attorneys the clarity and space to focus on client work and strategy.

• Report to the CEO/Firm Managing Partner.
• Lead and own all day-to-day operational and administrative functions across the firm (HR, Marketing, Finance, People Ops, Technology Support, along with optimizing cross-departmental workflows).
• Prepare, present, and lead monthly operational updates at partner meetings, with forward-looking plans and actionable next steps.
• Audit and refine key firm processes (onboarding, training, cross-department workflows, internal communications, etc.) for clarity and efficiency.
• Oversee documentation of firm functions — but balance documentation with practical systems and habits to ensure real adoption, not just paperwork.
• Partner with leadership and finance to forecast firm growth, resources (staffing, offices, budget), and operational capacity.
• Align operational strategy with business goals — ensuring we scale smartly without diluting culture or overburdening the team.
• Monitor operational KPIs and recommend adjustments to meet firm goals sustainably.
• Oversee internal mechanisms for measuring employee satisfaction, engagement, and operational effectiveness (e.g., quarterly pulse surveys, feedback loops).
• Lead major operational projects (e.g., office buildouts, resource planning), ensuring minimal disruption and clear communication across the firm.

• Foster trust, transparency, and cohesion across departments.
• Identify and address cultural or performance hurdles through coaching or transition if necessary.
• Build and maintain strong 1:1 relationships with equity partners and department leads to understand needs, challenges, and aspirations.
• Serve as a connector between leadership and staff, ensuring clear communication and alignment across the firm.

• Operational Stability: Staff report that "things just work"; minimal confusion over process, roles, or responsibilities.
• Culture & Trust: Consistent positive feedback on collaboration and leadership trust; employer NPS continues to improve.
• Cross-Department Efficiency: Key onboarding & coordination workflows streamlined; measurable reduction in delays or miscommunication.
• Talent Management: Smooth onboarding + training, clear performance expectations, measuring and assessing performance.
• Strategic Growth Support: Firm able to scale operations without adding large headcount, while maintaining quality and culture
• Leadership Presence: Equity partners view COO as the first point of operational contact — trusted, capable, and proactive.

• Significant experience leading cross-functional teams in a medium-to-large professional services environment (law firms, consultancies, agencies, etc.).
• Strong emotional intelligence - able to lead culturally sensitive environments, manage interpersonal dynamics, and earn trust across levels.
• Operational backbone - able to design systems, refine processes, and ensure consistent execution.
• Strategic mindset - able to anticipate firm needs 2–3 quarters ahead; proactively design solutions rather than react to crises.
• Excellent communication - with staff, leadership, across departments, and in partner-level forums.
• Commitment to in-office 100% - building rapport with all team members in both offices (Dallas and Austin).
• Leadership presence - able to make courageous decisions, own them, and explain them clearly; able to build respect and confidence from equity partners down through staff.
• Flexibility and pragmatism - understands that documentation alone isn't enough; values adaptive systems that work in practice.
• Above all else, you should be a really good person - someone who leads with integrity, humility, and respect. At VW, we believe life is for living, that curiosity fuels excellence, and that great companies are built by people who treat one another well while doing meaningful, ambitious work together.

• Full authority over firm operations - decision rights, ownership, and autonomy to lead.
• Opportunity to shape the future of VW, structurally and culturally.
• A trusted support network and leadership team committed to giving you the runway to succeed.
• A people-first culture that values trust, transparency, and collaboration over bureaucracy.

Vela Wood is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.