We are looking for a Group Operations Manager (FTC – 12 months) to support our busy Regulatory team, which is based in our Southampton, Cardiff and Reading offices. The successful candidate may be based at any of those offices. We will consider a flexible working pattern for this role.
The successful candidate will be supporting the whole team, and working closely with case managers, advocates and paralegals on regulatory matters. The role will comprise of:
Business Group Administration
* Coordination of weekly team meeting (room bookings, agendas, minutes)
* Organising File & WIP Reviews
* Booking internal and external events
* Organising work experience weeks
* Booking travel
* Drafting expense claims
* Aged debt/WIP reports
* Professional Indemnity Insurance renewal
* Coordination of appraisals
* Completing monthly client reports
* Ad hoc administrative duties as required
Business Development
* Updating the team meeting BD / New Instructions spreadsheet
* Coordination of L500/Chambers submissions
* Organising and booking lunch / dinner for Networking / BD
* Assisting with BD initiatives
* Providing admin support for bids and tenders
* Managing areas of focus and following up specific actions
* Managing professional memberships
Team Management
* Managing the administration team including distribution of work and line management of the individuals
* Point of contact for all group members for queries relating to billing, financial matters, time recording, targets etc.
* Onboarding new team members, liaising with IT and HR regarding starting requirements and providing financial training for new starters
* Monitoring and ensuring achievement of compliance requirements (SMRs, file reviews etc.)
* Assisting Partners with client specific operational tasks including production of MI reports and dashboards
* Completion of more complicated financial tasks such as billing and associated reports
* Providing technology and process support by liaising with the Senior Leadership Team and IT/Finance regarding best processes for billing, MI production, CMS and other projects as required
* Updating and maintaining guides and resource documents to ensure consistent practices
* Attending Senior Leadership Team meetings weekly. Circulating figures in advance of the meeting and any action points afterwards
* Assisting with the operational management of the Business Group and working closely with the Business Group Head
* Ad hoc tasks as required by Business Group Head and Senior Leadership Team
Skills / Experience Required
* Highly organised, accurate and strong attention to detail
* A minimum of 5 years relevant experience
* Previous professional services experience and risk awareness
* Adaptable, flexible and ability to multi-task
* Solid relevant technical expertise
* Dedication, determination and loyalty to colleagues, clients and communities
* Collegiate and team-playing approach
* Relationship-driven and people oriented
* Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work with Partners and staff across the team
* Able to work productively with people at all levels and work as part of a team
* Able to engage fully with our clients and other professional and organisation contacts to provide an excellent service
* A working knowledge of financial management and accounts and marketing and business development
* Capable of managing a varied and demanding workload and ability to prioritise
* Proactive and positive 'can do' attitude
* Strong sense of customer service
* Relishes taking responsibility and acting on own initiative
* Able to recommend process improvements
* Confidentiality and discretion are fundamental
* Approachable
* Good communication (oral and written) and telephone skills
* Good organisational skills
* IT literate and ability to adapt to new technologies and systems
* Intermediate in use of Word, Outlook and Excel, Teams, Zoom
* Committed to rigour around treating all clients fairly
* Focused on attributing dedication, determination and loyalty to colleagues, clients and communities
* Able to demonstrate continuous development and diversity in thinking
* Understands and complies with Information Security responsibilities commensurate with this advertised role including Data Protection and the duty of confidentiality
Blake Morgan is committed to adopting Smart Working practices, where appropriate in the context of business needs, and empowering colleagues to maximise their performance. Whilst we strive to ensure consistency of approach across the firm, there will inevitably be some differences in working practices across our business groups and business support functions. We consider each colleague's personal preferences, working styles and development needs when deciding the best arrangements to suit our clients and colleagues. A typical approach would be a blend of working in your usual office, working from another Blake Morgan office, working from a client's office and working from home. A Guide to getting the most out of Smart Working Policy is available for our colleagues. You will be a core part of the team and able to access the technology, support, training and resources you require.
Blake Morgan is one of the UK's leading full-service law firms, with offices in London, Wales, Thames Valley and the South Coast region. We provide our clients with practical and straightforward legal advice whatever their regional, national and international requirements. Our clients are commercial businesses, not-for-profit organisations, government agencies and private individuals.
Our office locations and details of how to reach them are found here.
How to Apply
Please apply on our website through our Online Portal.
Closing Date: Within two months from date of posting but please note we are continually reviewing applications so we would recommend applying sooner rather than later.
Interviews: The interview process will start as soon as suitable candidates have been identified. We will notify you in advance if you are required to carry out a drafting exercise/skills test as part of the interview process.
If you have any questions, please email Rob Brown at rob.brown@blakemorgan.co.uk or telephone on 023 8085 7441.
Your personal data will be processed in line with our applicant privacy policy which explains how we treat your data.
Please note that we are currently only accepting CVs from direct applicants. We do not accept CVs from recruitment agencies unless terms and conditions have been agreed in advance with our Resourcing Team.
Our Culture and Environment
We pride ourselves on our Personality, which is weaved into everything we do for our colleagues, clients and communities alike. We have created an environment underpinned by our ACTS framework that places high value on being:
Astute (commercially)
Committed
Team playing
Straightforward
It's part of the way we like to do things. If you wish to work amongst colleagues with these behaviours, then you will find yourself amongst likeminded individuals at Blake Morgan.
We work as one team and believe in supporting our colleagues to strengthen the firm. We act honestly and openly in all that we do. We care for our communities and encourage all our people to actively participate in our sports, social and charitable activities. We foster a mature and smart flexible working environment which is family friendly. We also offer opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge and to progress within the firm via our Blake Morgan Academy. We seek to be transparent in all of our dealings with applicants and ensure that you have all the information you need to understand our recruitment process to decide whether or not the role and our firm are right for you. If you have any questions, please email Rob Brown at rob.brown@blakemorgan.co.uk or telephone on 023 8085 7441.
Benefits
Some of the benefits of working at Blake Morgan include:
* 26 days' annual holiday and option to purchase 1 weeks' leave
* Birthday holiday
* My Time – one working week off for community, faith-based festivals, volunteering, or wellbeing activities
* Profit Share Scheme
* Performance related bonus scheme
* Private medical insurance including access to a health advice helpline
* Auto-enrolment pension scheme (5% employer pension contribution when employee contributes 3%)
* Life assurance scheme
* Critical illness cover
* Cash Plan - claim for flu jab, health screening, optical and dental plus a range of wellbeing and health services
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Professional subscriptions
* Free parking or travel season ticket loan depending on your office location
* Cycle to work scheme
* Discounts at leading retailers
* Recruitment referral scheme
* Gifts at key lifestyle and career milestones