Office Administrator, Washington DC

Job Description

At Norton Rose Fulbright, people thrive because of a shared commitment to quality, unity and integrity. The highly regarded law firm consistently receives recognition from Great Place to Work and Top Workplaces, two companies that specialize in assessing organizational culture. Teams collaborate across regions, value new ideas and deliver meaningful client solutions, supported by a culture that embraces ambition, development and shared success. With more than 3,000 lawyers and 3,000 business services professionals working together across 50 offices worldwide, this global law firm provides a full range of legal services to leading corporations and financial institutions operating in key markets and sectors.

Norton Rose Fulbright is seeking an Office Administrator to oversee day‑to‑day operations of the Washington, DC office and serve as the primary point of contact in that office, ensuring administrative functions run smoothly so lawyers can focus on the practice of law. The Office Administrator regularly liaises with the Partners-in-Charge of the office to keep them informed of operational matters and business challenges. The role oversees on‑site administrative support services, including reception, conference services, mail and digital services, office services, and records, and provides direct operational support to legal and administrative personnel.

This position is based in Washington, DC and requires a minimum of four days per week in the office. The role reports to the Director, Administration and Legal Support, with an indirect reporting line to the Partners‑in‑Charge of the office.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to Partners-in-Charge and firm leadership on office operations, performance, and strategic priorities.
• Provide insight and recommendations on business challenges, operational improvements, and resource alignment.
• Partner with leadership to align administrative support and services with client and practice needs.
• Lead and support change management initiatives, including implementation of new service delivery models, technologies, and operational improvements.
• Identify opportunities to enhance operational effectiveness and proactively drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of office operations to ensure efficient, high-quality service delivery to lawyers and business services professionals.
• Establish and maintain standards of operational excellence, client service, and responsiveness.
• Coordinate office-wide activities in alignment with firm policies and best practices.
• Ensure seamless onboarding and offboarding processes, including coordination of logistics and cross-functional support.
• Lead, develop, and manage a team of administrative and legal support professionals, including assigning work, setting expectations, and evaluating performance.
• Oversee staffing strategy, including recruitment, workforce planning, and appropriate staffing ratios.
• Drive performance management, employee development, and training initiatives.
• Partner with Human Resources to address employee relations matters, performance concerns, and organizational changes.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing workplace culture that supports engagement and retention.
• Oversee all facilities operations, including space planning, design, and utilization.
• Manage office construction, renovations, relocations, and lease-related matters.
• Partner with building management to address day-to-day facilities issues and ensure a safe, functional work environment.
• Maintain responsibility for workplace health, safety, and physical security in alignment with firm standards.
• Inform, manage, and monitor the office administrative budget, including forecasting and cost control.
• Approve expenses and oversee reimbursement processes.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization while maintaining service quality and operational effectiveness.
• Oversee relationships with external vendors and service providers, including contract negotiation and performance management.
• Coordinate procurement activities in alignment with firmwide strategies.
• Manage community relations and charitable giving initiatives, including budget oversight, sponsorships, and engagement with local organizations.
• Support coordination of client-facing and internal events, conferences, and firm-sponsored activities.
• Ensure compliance with firm policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Oversee office-level risk management, including business continuity planning and incident response coordination.
• Support adherence to health, safety, and security protocols.
• Support adoption of tools and systems that enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
• Leverage data and metrics to monitor performance, inform decision-making, and improve operational outcomes.
• Actively participate in firmwide and cross-functional initiatives, working groups, and operational projects.
• Collaborate with peers across offices to promote consistency, best practices, and alignment with global strategies.
• Support partner meetings and office leadership activities, including coordination of agendas and logistics.
• Perform other duties and lead special projects as required to support office and firm objectives.

Other duties

Please note this job description does not cover or contain all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Prior law firm or professional services experience is required.
• Minimum of ten years of work experience, including at least five years of supervisory experience, is preferred.
• Ability to work discreetly with confidential information and sensitive situations.
• Ability to quickly identify and analyze issues and problems, recommend and implement solutions, and respond effectively to sensitive inquiries and complaints.
• Demonstrates a proactive focus on operational excellence, client service, efficiency, and cost management.
• Exhibits excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Acts as a self‑starter with a high energy level and a do‑what‑it‑takes attitude.
• Data-driven and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to multi‑task with strong organizational skills.
• Exercises flexibility and sound judgment in all situations.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure and during high-priority or emergency situations.
• Demonstrates strong problem‑solving skills and consistent follow‑through.
• Serves as an ambassador of goodwill, a catalyst for change, and maintains local office culture while embracing the needs of a global legal practice.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and direct the work of others.
• Maintains responsiveness and the ability to be available outside regular business hours in emergencies or high‑priority situations.

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience. The full-time base annual salary for this position in the Washington, DC market is expected to range between $120,000 and 160,000. This range represents the firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting for a position in Washington, DC. Salaries in other markets will vary depending on market data. Bonus opportunities are non-guaranteed and are dependent upon individual and firm performance.

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is committed to providing employees with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Benefit packages include access to three medical plans, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. Employees can also access pre-tax benefits such as health savings and flexible spending accounts. Norton Rose Fulbright helps provide financial security by allowing employees to participate in a 401(k) savings plan and profit-sharing plans if eligible. Full- time employees are eligible to access fertility benefits designed to support fertility and family-forming journeys.

In addition to the Firm’s health and welfare benefits above, we offer a competitive paid time off plan, which provides a minimum of 20 days off based on your role and tenure with the firm. The firm offers a generous paid parental leave benefit allowing parents to take a minimum of 14 weeks of paid leave to bond with your newborn, or adopted child(ren). Employees are also entitled to 11 Firm holidays.

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal laws and their implementing regulations that require the collection and recording of certain data and information. The information we receive will not be used to make any decision regarding employment and will be kept separate from your application. Similarly, self-identification information is kept confidential and used only in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Norton Rose Fulbright is committed to providing reasonable accommodation as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or accommodation to complete your application, please contact us.hr@nortonrosefulbright.com. Please provide your contact information and a description of your accessibility issue. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the firm, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c).