Secretarial Office Lead

About us

Successful businesses rely on a unique set ofideasandpeople. We help our clients protect and develop those vital assets unlockingpossibilitiesfor future success.

From iconic brands and leading multinationals to pioneering start-ups we are proud to work with a huge range of inspiring clients helping them to turn their ideas into reality and get the best from - and for - their people.

Our people are not only exceptional at what they do they also enjoy doing it and consistently give their best to a firm theyre proud to be part of. This stems from ourfirm cultureand our ethos ofbravery and kindness. That ethos runs through everything we do from our approach to recruitment business practices and DEI activities to the day-to-day environment in our office and our relationships with clients.

With an internationally minded team of more than 800 working across key areas of law plus strategic partnerships around the world weve got both the combination and calibre of legal experts it takes to enable our clients businesses to thrive. Whether it is providing global employment law advice managing a global IP portfolio or piecing together a multijurisdictional corporate transaction we are able to have the right people in the right place at the right time.

About the role

The Secretarial Office Lead(s) will work in conjunction with the (Employment Immigration Reward and Data Legal Practice Groups) Secretarial Services Manager to maintain the day-to-day on the ground provision of high-quality secretarial and administrative support services to the Legal Practice Groups (LPGs).

This role is based in the North and has responsibility for supporting the Manchester Leeds and Glasgow offices.

For their designated office(s)/location the role will manage and co-ordinate PAs EAs and Team Assistants to deliver a seamless day to day service as well as dealing with immediate management issues regarding allocations cover and performance management under the direction of the Secretarial Services Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the secretarial teams to deliver a high-quality secretarial and administrative service ensuring exceptional day-to-day performance.
• Coordinate secretarial support across fee earners working with other Secretarial Office Leads to manage workload maintain service standards and promote a one team approach.
• Support the Secretarial Services Manager with change initiatives to improve and develop services.
• Provide hands-on secretarial support to a small allocation of fee earners where required.
• Monitor and manage team resourcing ensuring appropriate cover for absences and adapting support levels to meet business needs.
• Support recruitment activities including reviewing applications interviewing candidates and selecting new hires.
• Oversee and support the billing secretarial function to ensure accuracy of billing data client compliance and deadlines are met.
• Assist with performance management processes including appraisals feedback and development planning.
• Act as a mentor and first point of contact for team support providing guidance on development and wellbeing.
• Contribute to salary bonus and promotion discussions through performance input and feedback.
• Hold regular team and one-to-one meetings to support engagement and performance.
• Ensure the team is kept up to date with firm and practice group updates.
• Manage absence and performance issues in collaboration with the Secretarial Services Manager and HR maintaining accurate records.
• Handle sensitive people matters with professionalism discretion and confidentiality.
• Maintain a visible presence across the Manchester Leeds and Glasgow offices supporting both team members and stakeholders (regular travel between locations will be required).
• Act as an…