Billing Manager

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

• Monitor operating metrics to identify delays and bottlenecks in invoice processing

• Direct billing staff to complete activities in a timely and efficient manner – focused on meeting key deadlines and service expectations

• Manage escalation of issues requiring support from other team members and functions to ensure issues are identified appropriately and in a timely manner

• Ensure that billing staff follows up on and resolves rejected invoices, unallocated and unapplied balances and bill packet preparations

• Oversee 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. 

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

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The target salary range for this role is:

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. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities above satisfactorily and meet the requirements. The requirements listed above 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 [email protected] (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.