Office Administrator

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, positioning us to help companies with their legal needs around the world. Our mission is to be the leading global business law firm. DLA Piper (Canada) LLP is one of Canada’s leading law firms with a team of innovative, proactive and dedicated lawyers, administrative and support staff who serve our clients in Canada and around the world.

We have been rated one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People since 2022.

If you are talented in providing unprecedented service, are enthusiastic and a team player, we are looking for you. We are currently looking for an Office Administrator to join our Edmonton office and invite you to review the job description. The Office Administrator is responsible for the general management of the Edmonton office with specific focus on Human Resources, Premises/Office Services functions and Administration.

A key objective of this senior management position is to ensure an efficiently functioning and client-service focused office, working effectively with our national teams to leverage national and global resources, programs and best practices to that end.

This important office leadership role oversees all Edmonton-based Office Services staff, Legal Administrative Assistants, and Paralegals. The role is also responsible for overseeing Human Resources functions for all other Edmonton-based employees. This position reports to the COO and the Edmonton Office Managing Partner.

Human Resources: Responsible for the overall Human Resources function in the Edmonton office with a focus on creating a positive workplace experience and maintaining a culture of excellence. Responsible for employee relations, performance management, recruitment and efficient utilization of support staff. Supports the onboarding and development of professional-level staff.

• Oversees the on-boarding of all hires to the Edmonton office, coordinating the details and requirements of all administrative departments in order to create an exceptional first impression of our workplace;
• Works with other HR team members to administer and support personnel changes (e.g. new hires, salary changes, leaves, terminations) per firm processes and procedures; and
• Leads office engagement events and initiatives (e.g. holiday party), including overseeing office implementation of national engagement initiatives.

• Manages recruitment process for all Edmonton support staff hires, including developing business cases to support hiring needs;
• Works with lawyers and staff to find teaming solutions and to ensure optimal ratios of staff to lawyers;
• Provides support and guidance to staff/lawyer teams and staff/administrative management teams with respect to performance management as necessary;
• Provides compensation recommendations for all direct reports;
• Conducts probationary, annual performance and salary reviews;
• Supports a culture of growth, including through developing an understanding of staff goals and firm needs with respect to ongoing learning and development, providing coaching and counselling with respect to job opportunities at the firm, making recommendations for training and approving appropriate courses;
• Manages progressive discipline to address performance management issues;
• Ensures appropriate employee communication channels are maintained;
• Schedules and tracks attendance for support staff, including coordinating arrangements for coverage; and

• Works in coordination with the Director of Lawyer & Student Development and team to support articling student and lawyer talent management…