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Director Practice Operations Jobs in Chicago, IL

Director, Practice Innovation

Chicago, IL · On-site

$170K - $341K/yr

The Director of Practice Innovation & Knowledge Management (Director) is a senior firmwide leader ... legal operations, technology, or related leadership roles within a law firm or professional ...

The reporting structure for this position is dependent upon practice alignment and may report to the Lead OD, Director of Operations, or Area Manager. Status: Full-time (FT) Exemption: Exempt ...

Director, Healthcare Practice

Chicago, IL · On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

West Monroe is seeking a Healthcare Director to join our Healthcare Practice. This leader will help ... Partner with executive and senior healthcare leaders on operational improvement, care delivery ...

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Director Practice Operations information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$35K

$110.9K

$184.9K

How much do director practice operations jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director practice operations in Chicago, IL is $110,926.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,800.00 and $139,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Practice Operations, and how can they be effectively managed?

A Director of Practice Operations often faces challenges such as balancing operational efficiency with high-quality patient care, managing diverse teams, and adapting to rapid changes in healthcare regulations. Success in this role typically requires strong communication skills, the ability to implement process improvements, and expertise in change management. Building collaborative relationships with clinical and administrative staff, regularly reviewing workflows, and staying updated on industry best practices can help address these challenges and drive overall practice success.

What is the highest paying job in healthcare management?

The highest paying roles in healthcare management include Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of healthcare organizations and Chief Operating Officers (COOs), with salaries often exceeding $150,000 annually. These positions require extensive experience, strong leadership skills, and often a background in healthcare administration or business management.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

In the US, executive roles such as Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officers, and other C-suite positions often have annual compensation exceeding $500,000, especially in large corporations. High-level specialized roles like investment bankers, certain medical specialists, and successful entrepreneurs can also reach or surpass this income level, often requiring advanced skills, extensive experience, and significant responsibility.

Is being a MOA a good entry level job?

A Medical Office Assistant (MOA) role is typically considered an entry-level position in healthcare, requiring basic administrative skills and often on-the-job training. It provides experience in medical environments, but may not offer the same level of responsibility or advancement opportunities as more specialized roles like Practice Operations Director.

What are Director Practice Operations?

A Director of Practice Operations is a senior management professional responsible for overseeing the daily operations of medical practices or healthcare clinics. They ensure that the practice runs efficiently by managing staff, budgeting, compliance, and patient services. Their role may include implementing policies, optimizing workflows, and maintaining quality standards to improve both patient care and business performance. Typically, they work closely with physicians, administrative teams, and other healthcare leaders to meet organizational goals and regulatory requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Practice Operations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Practice Operations, you need strong leadership, healthcare management expertise, and a background in business administration or a related field, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with practice management software, electronic health records (EHR), and regulatory compliance systems is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving abilities, and organizational skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring efficient clinic operations, regulatory adherence, and high-quality patient care.

What is a director of practice operations?

A director of practice operations is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the daily functions and strategic planning of a healthcare or professional practice. They manage staff, optimize workflows, ensure compliance, and often use management tools to improve efficiency and patient or client care. Strong organizational, leadership, and industry-specific knowledge are essential for this position.

What is the difference between Director Practice Operations vs Practice Manager?

AspectDirector Practice OperationsPractice Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple practices or departments, strategic planning, high-level decision makingManages daily operations of a single practice, staff supervision, patient flow
CredentialsOften requires advanced degrees (e.g., MBA, healthcare administration), extensive experienceTypically requires healthcare management experience, certifications like CMA or CPC
Work EnvironmentCorporate or multi-site healthcare settings, executive levelSingle practice or clinic, operational focus

The main difference is that a Director Practice Operations focuses on strategic oversight across multiple practices, while a Practice Manager handles daily operations within a single practice. The director role involves higher-level planning and decision-making, often requiring advanced credentials, whereas the practice manager concentrates on staff management and patient services.

What are the most commonly searched types of Practice Operations jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Practice Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Practice Operations jobs in Chicago, IL? For Director Practice Operations jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Practice Operations jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Director Practice Operations jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Director Practice Operations jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Director Practice Operations job openings:
Infographic showing various Director Practice Operations job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,926 per year, or $53.3 per hour.
Director, Practice Innovation

Director, Practice Innovation

K&L Gates

Chicago, IL • On-site

$170K - $341K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


K&L Gates rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 34 rated law firms


Job description


At K&L Gates, we are looking for smart, imaginative and hard-working people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and ideas to join us. Perhaps our search for talented visionaries and your search for important and impactful work lead to the same place.
The Director of Practice Innovation & Knowledge Management (Director) is a senior firmwide leader responsible for transforming how the Firm delivers legal services through innovation, knowledge, and technology. Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, the Director sets and executes the Firm's practice innovation and knowledge management strategy, with a mandate to improve attorney productivity, client value, and firm competitiveness.
This role leads three tightly integrated priorities: (1) practice innovation and AI-enabled service delivery; (2) modern knowledge management and intellectual capital strategy; and (3) client- and practice-facing innovation that drives measurable business impact. The Director is a trusted partner to practice leadership, a bridge between lawyers and technology, and a hands-on change leader who ensures initiatives move from concept to scaled adoption. The role has firmwide remit and inherits existing Practice Support Lawyers (PSLs) and Knowledge Management professionals.
Responsibilities
  • Set and execute the firmwide practice innovation and knowledge management strategy aligned to the Firm's strategic, commercial, and competitive objectives.
  • Develop and manage a multi-year innovation roadmap covering AI-enabled service delivery, legal process improvement, knowledge reuse, and differentiated client solutions.
  • Establish governance, intake, prioritization, and portfolio management processes to ensure focus, transparency, scalability, and return on investment across innovation and KM initiatives.
  • Partner with practice leadership, PSLs, and attorneys to identify high-value innovation and AI use cases and translate them into scalable solutions embedded in legal workflows.
  • Lead the design, piloting, and firmwide rollout of AI-enabled and practice-facing technology solutions, ensuring responsible, secure, and ethical deployment in collaboration firmwide IT.
  • Drive adoption and measurable impact of innovation and KM initiatives through training, enablement, engagement strategies, and ongoing tracking of usage, outcomes, and ROI.
  • Lead and modernize the Firm's knowledge management function, including defining the KM operating model, governance, standards, and integration with innovation and AI efforts.
  • Build and maintain the Firm's knowledge architecture and core intellectual capital assets, including taxonomies, metadata, precedents, playbooks, clause banks, practice guides, and experience content.
  • Lead legal design, process improvement, and automation initiatives to improve attorney efficiency, client experience, and day-to-day workflow effectiveness.
  • Act as a firmwide change leader, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing across practices and offices.
  • Identify and support client-facing innovation opportunities and advise partners and clients on evolving legal service delivery models and market trends.
  • Lead, develop, and align PSLs and Knowledge Management professionals, setting clear priorities, expectations, and performance measures while partnering closely with cross-functional teams.
Qualifications & Experience
Required
  • 10+ years of experience in practice innovation, knowledge management, legal operations, technology, or related leadership roles within a law firm or professional services environment.
  • Demonstrated success delivering firmwide initiatives with measurable impact.
  • Deep understanding of law firm practice workflows and economics.
  • Proven ability to lead change and influence senior stakeholders.
  • Strong people leadership and communication skills.
Preferred
  • Juris Doctor (JD) and prior legal practice experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience with AI-enabled legal tools and workflow automation.
  • Expertise in modern KM concepts including knowledge architecture and reuse.
  • Experience designing or scaling client-facing innovation initiatives.

Compensation Salary $170,000 - $341,000.
The compensation salary for this position will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to prior experience, relevant expertise, current business needs, and market factors.
ABOUT THE FIRM
K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm with lawyers located across five continents in more than 40 offices. We have experienced dramatic growth in the past decade and now rank among the largest U.S. based law firms in the world. We take pride in constantly striving for innovation, imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit. We come up with big ideas and then roll up our sleeves to get the job done, guiding our clients through their most complex issues in a variety of industry sectors and across multiple regions of the world.
The industry recognition the firm has garnered emanates from the foundation of a global community aligned on behalf of our clients. The people at K&L Gates are committed to working together to create a legacy for each other, the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we serve. We thrive in an inclusive and socially conscious environment that embraces diversity and takes a holistic approach to the career evolution of all our professionals.
For more information or to view other job opportunities, please click here to go back to our careers page.
Notice: We participate in E-Verify in certain Firm locations for purposes of verifying employment eligibility.
Please be advised that this position requires successful completion of a background check. In accordance with the Washington State Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act, and applicable law qualified California and Washington State applicants with criminal history records will be considered. A criminal history will not categorically exclude a candidate from employment, and the Firm will consider relevant factors before making employment decisions based on criminal history information.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
BENEFITS
K&L Gates offers our personnel a comprehensive suite of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time personnel include:
  • Medical/Prescription Drug Coverage (including a Health Savings Account feature)
  • Back-up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
  • Dental Insurance
  • Wellness Program
  • Vision Insurance
  • Pre-tax Commuting Benefits
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan and Profit Sharing
  • Business Travel Accident Insurance
  • Short- and Long-term Disability Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Life Insurance (including Basic, Supplemental, Spouse, Child, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment)
  • Health Advocacy Services
  • Paid Time Off (25-30 days per year)
  • Identity Protection/Restoration and Fraud Insurance
  • Parental Leave (18 weeks of which 6 are paid; short-term disability may provide additional paid time off)
  • Student loan refinancing options and access to a student loan concierge service
  • Paid Holidays (12)
  • Addiction Resources
  • Family Building Benefits
  • Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employees also may be eligible to receive bonuses and certain expense reimbursements
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Professional Development and CLE Credit Opportunities
  • 529 Deductions
  • Relocation
  • Accident Insurance
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Hybrid/Remote Work Opportunities
  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Perks including: Technology, Entertainment, and Travel Discount Programs
  • Bereavement Leave
  • All other benefits (such as leaves of absence) required by law

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Firm is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Firm that employment decisions shall be based on merit, qualifications and competence. Employment practices will not be influenced or affected by virtue of a person's race (including traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as afros, braids, locks, and twists), religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, gender, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, familial status, domestic violence victim status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy governs all aspects of employment including, without limitation, recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, assignment, and dismissal. In addition, it is the Firm's policy to provide an environment that is free of prohibited harassment of any kind including, without limitation, that which is based on sex, race, age, disability, ethnic background, or any other category protected by law (including the categories listed above). The Firm complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact askHR@klgates.com.

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