WE HAVE AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR A LEAD LEGAL PA TO JOIN FIELDFISHER’S REAL ESTATE TEAM.

In addition to existing PA responsibilities, the Lead PA duties include:

• Day-to-day management of the PA team, being a role model and ensuring that the agreed PA model and Hybrid
• Policy is being adhered to by all team members across the Business Unit.
• Supervise the performance management process through Clear Review. Ensure that all team members are fully engaged and utilising the system appropriately.
• Chair PA team meetings on regular basis to foster teamwork across all locations and, in addition, ensure that the PAs are updated with key information.
• Attend and fully participate as a Team Member in the monthly Lead PA meetings, and ensure any assigned actions are completed on time, and information is cascaded to the Real Estate PA as appropriate.
• Highlight any issues which are affecting the performance of any member of the PA team to the PA Operations
• Manager and agree on a plan of action to resolve these issues. This includes poor timekeeping and absenteeism.
• Managing the PA allocations and adjusting them accordingly based on business needs. Forward planning to account for pinch points.
• Seek feedback on a regular basis from Partners/Fee Earners on the performance of the PA team and address any issues that have been brought to your attention. Ensure that the PA Operations Manager is updated accordingly.
• Meet with the Business Manager and nominated Partner on a regular basis to discuss ways to develop the support provided by the PA team and also to address any issues.
• Assess and lead on the training and development of the PA team
• Ensure that the probation process is properly managed. Ensuring that feedback is sought at 6 weeks and a meeting is held with any new joiner to provide feedback, and an action plan is devised to address any issues. This process must be repeated at the end of the probation period. Any issues that are of concern must be discussed with the PA Operations Manager.
• Approve and manage planned absences through Cascade and update Cascade with any sickness absences.
• In the event of planned or unplanned absences, ensure PA cover is arranged and communicated to the relevant partners and fee earners.
• Assess and coordinate recruitment needs with the Recruitment team
• Facilitating onboarding for new PAs and assigning a “buddy” for day-to-day support
• Support the PA Operations Manager and PA Development Manager with specific projects across Legal Support Services
• Undertake any further training required to support the role.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of and experience in office management
• Clear and effective communication skills
• Good decision-making skills
• Proven experience in successfully leading a team, including managing workloads, providing guidance and encouraging team collaboration
• Experience in managing projects, coordinating schedules and ensuring timely completion of tasks
• An ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and maintain an organised work environment
• Proficient in the various platforms and portals used by the firm and able to instruct or direct others in the use of he same
• Ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions
• Strong interpersonal skills to build positive relationships within the team across locations
• Understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information appropriately
• Empathetic and act with integrity and honesty at all times
• Flexible and open to change and change leadership
• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations

• Day-to-day management of the PA team, being a role model and ensuring that the agreed PA model and Hybrid
• Policy is being adhered to by all team members across the Business Unit.
• Supervise the performance management process through Clear Review. Ensure that all team members are fully engaged and utilising the system appropriately.
• Chair PA team meetings on regular basis to foster teamwork across all locations and, in addition, ensure that the PAs are updated with key information.
• Attend and fully participate as a Team Member in the monthly Lead PA meetings, and ensure any assigned actions are completed on time, and information is cascaded to the Real Estate PA as appropriate.
• Highlight any issues which are affecting the performance of any member of the PA team to the PA Operations
• Manager and agree on a plan of action to resolve these issues. This includes poor timekeeping and absenteeism.
• Managing the PA allocations and adjusting them accordingly based on business needs. Forward planning to account for pinch points.
• Seek feedback on a regular basis from Partners/Fee Earners on the performance of the PA team and address any issues that have been brought to your attention. Ensure that the PA Operations Manager is updated accordingly.
• Meet with the Business Manager and nominated Partner on a regular basis to discuss ways to develop the support provided by the PA team and also to address any issues.
• Assess and lead on the training and development of the PA team
• Ensure that the probation process is properly managed. Ensuring that feedback is sought at 6 weeks and a meeting is held with any new joiner to provide feedback, and an action plan is devised to address any issues. This process must be repeated at the end of the probation period. Any issues that are of concern must be discussed with the PA Operations Manager.
• Approve and manage planned absences through Cascade and update Cascade with any sickness absences.
• In the event of planned or unplanned absences, ensure PA cover is arranged and communicated to the relevant partners and fee earners.
• Assess and coordinate recruitment needs with the Recruitment team
• Facilitating onboarding for new PAs and assigning a “buddy” for day-to-day support
• Support the PA Operations Manager and PA Development Manager with specific projects across Legal Support Services
• Undertake any further training required to support the role