Office and Administration Manager

Office and Administration Manager - PLS Solicitors

Location: Altrincham, WA14 5UW
, office-based role

Hours: Full-time, permanent, Monday-Friday, 09:00 - 17:00

Start date: ASAP (happy to consider longer notice periods)

Salary: up to £35k DOE

We’re looking for an experienced Office & Administration Manager to lead our centralised support functions and drive high standards across Reception and Administration.

This role is ideal for a confident people manager who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and knows how to get the best out of support teams. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our front-of-house, administrative and office operations run smoothly, professionally and efficiently.

• Lead, motivate and develop the Reception and Central Administration teams.
• Allocate workload, set priorities and monitor performance levels.
• Provide supervisory oversight of the postroom function (day-to-day management remains within the team).
• Manage escalated issues relating to administration, reception or postroom services.
• Support recruitment and onboarding within relevant departments.
• Act as a key liaison between administration teams and internal stakeholders.
• Work closely with senior management to support operational planning and change initiatives.

• Ensure the efficient handling and distribution of post in line with service level agreements and turnaround times (oversight responsibility).
• Oversee reception services to deliver a professional, welcoming and client-focused front-of-house experience.
• Manage centralised administrative processes, ensuring accuracy, consistency and timely delivery.
• Continuously review and improve workflows to support a high-volume caseload.
• Ensure administrative procedures align with firm policies and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with audits and internal checks relating to administrative and operational processes.
• Support general office management tasks as required.
• Liaise with internal and external parties where necessary.
• Liaise with the third-party facilities company to ensure the office environment is safe, compliant and well maintained.
• Coordinate with the facilities provider regarding office moves, reconfigurations, refurbishments and space planning as required.
• Act as the point of contact for escalated facilities-related matters and ensure timely resolution.

• Oversee office health and safety compliance, including risk assessments, fire safety, DSE assessments and accident reporting (
  
  Please note:
  
  this role oversees and coordinates H&S activity – delivery is supported by an external facilities provider.)
• Ensure health and safety policies, procedures and records are kept up to date and adhered to.
• Coordinate fire wardens, first aiders and emergency procedures.
• Liaise with external H&S advisors and support audits or inspections where required.

• Oversee travel and accommodation arrangements for staff where required, ensuring cost-effective and appropriate bookings.
• Maintain travel policies and supplier relationships.
• Manage contracts with office suppliers and service providers, reviewing performance and value for money.
• Support budget management for office operations and facilities expenditure.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.

• Work collaboratively with IT, Operations and HR to support business continuity and disaster recovery planning from an office operations perspective.

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar Office or Administration Manager role
• Proven experience managing office-based or administrative teams
• Strong leadership and people management capability
• Experience operating in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Excellent organisational and multitasking skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• High attention to detail

• Opportunity to make a real impact across our business support functions
• Study Support: Once you’ve been with us for a year, we’ll support you with professional qualifications to help you grow
• Long-Term Focus: This isn’t a stop-gap job - we’re…