Matter Onboarding & Credit Manager

The Credit Manager ensures both that new business is brought on board quickly while managing credit risk during onboarding, and continuing to mitigate credit risk throughout the course of the engagement. The Credit Manager enhances the company’s financial performance through proactive credit risk management and strategic cash flow optimization.

Essential Functions

• Conduct comprehensive financial due diligence on prospective clients using tools such as Dun & Bradstreet, Credit Risk Monitor, public financial disclosures, and/or public research to assess liquidity, leverage, and overall creditworthiness.
• Research and develop retainer amounts appropriate for new matters.
• Develop and maintain risk-adjusted credit thresholds; enforce mandatory evergreen retainers or advance fee deposits for clients as appropriate.
• Monitor the credit health of existing clientsto anticipate potential defaults or delays in payment.
• Partner with finance managers, relationship partners and firm management to mitigate exposure by identifying clients showing signs of concern.
• Collaborate closely with the Billing and Collections teams to support timely collections, reconcile disputed accounts, and implement effective resolution strategies.
• Partner with the Finance, General Counsel, and Compliance departments to align credit practices with firm policies, professional obligations, and client engagement terms.
• Contribute to cash flow forecasting and working capital optimization efforts by providing accurate credit exposure data and client payment behavior insights.
• Assist in special projects, such as process automation, credit policy enhancements, and system integrations to improve efficiency and transparency.

  Non-Essential Functions

• Other duties may be assigned, as necessary.

  Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance or related
• Law firm or professional services background preferred.
• 5 to 7 years of related work experience
• Knowledge of credit analysis and credit principles

  Success Factors

• Strong financial analysis and risk assessment capabilities
• Proven capability to drive file-opening efficiency while strictly enforcing risk boundaries.
• Ability to design, analyze, and present intake velocity and credit exposure metrics.
• Ability to evaluate unstructured financial data, detect warning signs of impending client bankruptcy, and translate findings into clear risk scores.

Work Environment

• Position to be based in Washington DC
• Non-smoking environment
• Must be able to work under tight deadlines and in stressful situations
• Must be available to work beyond regular days and hours
• Must be able to work under tight deadlines and in stressful situations
• Hybrid work arrangements are available for this position.

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $100,000 – $130,000 The actual base salary offered will be dependent upon the applicant’s experience and qualifications, as well as other job-related factors, including but not limited to, relevant skills, education, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, geographic location.

Steptoe offers a full range of benefits for you and your eligible dependents. Benefits currently include: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, dependent care, health care flexible spending accounts, 401K Plan, Profit-Sharing, Paid Time-Off and a robust Wellness Program.

Steptoe LLP is an equal opportunity employer EOE/Disability/Veteran. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any basis proscribed by applicable statutes.