We have an exciting new role for a Paralegal Manager to join our Projects, Real Estate and Finance (PREF) group. This role will be based in our Bristol office, with occasional travel to our Reading and London offices.
Overview
To line manage our paralegals who work across our practice group (including Real Estate, Banking, Construction, Planning and Environmental and Projects).
To be responsible for the pastoral care and delivery of training to the paralegals.
To lead the development of the paralegals' careers in line with a contribution framework.
Background
We have over 20 paralegals who span the full range of work across the different practice areas. They are primarily located in our Bristol office, with others based in our London and Reading offices. There is a wide range of experience and roles from brand new paralegals to senior paralegals, who are about to qualify as solicitors and are seeking associate roles.
With the introduction of our new paralegal contribution framework, setting out what is expected from each of the four levels of paralegal contribution, this anticipates each paralegal having two line managers, the Paralegal Manager and a technical line manager with whom that paralegal regularly works.
The Paralegal Manager will be responsible for all line management of those paralegals, but not technical supervision.
They will work closely with the technical line managers and report to the Operations Director.
We are seeking a candidate with excellent people-management skills. They need not be a qualified lawyer.
- Daily management of the paralegals
- Resolution of daily and other on-going management issues.
- Producing management reports.
- Providing pastoral care to team members.
- Managing, approving and recording absences (sickness, annual leave etc.) and ensuring the provision of appropriate cover.
- Ensuring adequate provision of administrative support is in place for the team.
- Supporting the Operations Director with administrative tasks, including running reports and some diary management.
- Resource management
- Forecasting and planning resource requirements over the short, medium and long term.
- Recruitment and induction of new paralegals.
Performance management
- Constantly monitoring the performance of the paralegal in meeting the requirements set out in the paralegals contribution framework and proactively identifying and implementing agreed improvements to working practices.
- Monitoring and managing processes for ensuring the team delivers work to the required quality standards.
- Performance management of team members in line with the firm's review structure, including performance improvement where necessary.
- Management of the team and individual's training requirements, skills, development and progression plans.
- Stakeholder management
- Working with challenging stakeholders in what can be a highly pressured working environment to meet their requirements.
- Work with the Client Partners to ensure the correct level of paralegal support is in place.
- Working Practices
- Instigate and manage projects to improve the utilisation and working practices of the paralegal teams.
Our recruitment process
We welcome direct applications for our opportunities - if you would like any further information about this role or the firm, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact, in complete confidence, Angharad Jenkins on [email protected] and Jemma Jackaman on [email protected]
Please note we review and progress applications on a rolling basis. At Osborne Clarke we do not make any recruitment decisions using automated decision-making.
We are committed to providing an environment where you can perform to the best of your abilities at every stage of your recruitment experience and beyond. If you require any adjustments to be made during the application stage, interview process, or when working with us, please let us know in confidence.
