Operations Manager
The Opportunity
We are working with a busy, well-established litigation practice to appoint an Operations Manager to oversee the smooth running of the firm. The firm handles a high volume of contentious matters for residential clients, and its growth means the partners need a dedicated operational lead so fee earners can stay focused on client work.
The Role
You will take ownership of the firm's day-to-day operations, covering people, processes, systems, compliance and facilities. Working closely with the partners, you will make sure the business runs efficiently, meets its regulatory obligations and has the infrastructure to support a demanding litigation caseload. The role reports to the Managing Partner and manages the support team, including legal secretaries, administrators and reception.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the firm's daily operations, ensuring support services run smoothly for fee earners and clients
- Line manage the business support team, including recruitment, onboarding, appraisals, absence and performance management
- Work with the partners on resourcing, capacity planning and workflow across the litigation teams
- Manage the practice and case management systems, working with IT providers on improvements, security and user training
- Support regulatory compliance with the SRA, working alongside the COLP and COFA on file reviews, risk registers, AML, GDPR and complaints handling
- Maintain and improve firm-wide policies, procedures and office manuals, including preparation for Lexcel or other accreditation audits
- Oversee court deadline and limitation date diary systems, ensuring robust key-date controls across the department
- Work with the finance team on billing, WIP, lock-up and debt recovery, and produce management information for the partners
- Manage supplier relationships and contracts, including counsel's clerks, process servers, expert witness bureaux, copy and e-disclosure providers
- Manage the office premises, facilities, health and safety and business continuity planning
- Lead operational projects such as system implementations, process improvements and office moves
The Person
We are looking for an experienced operations or practice manager, ideally from a law firm with a significant litigation or disputes practice. You will understand the pressures of court timetables and fee-earner workloads, and be confident challenging and supporting partners in equal measure. Calm, organised and commercially minded, you will bring structure to a fast-moving environment and lead a support team by example.
Skills & Experience
- Previous experience as an Operations Manager, Practice Manager or Office Manager within a law firm
- Exposure to litigation or dispute resolution workflows, including court deadlines and limitation dates
- Working knowledge of SRA regulation, AML, GDPR and complaints handling procedures
- Experience with legal practice and case management systems such as Proclaim, LEAP, Clio, Peppermint or Aderant
- Proven line management experience of support staff
- Strong understanding of law firm finance, including billing, WIP and lock-up
- Excellent organisational, communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience supporting Lexcel, CQS or ISO accreditation is desirable
- A relevant qualification such as ILM, CIPD or the Law Society Practice Management course is desirable
Additional Information
- Salary: £70,000 , dependent on experience
- Location: North London
- Monday to Friday 9 to 5